Sitges

I didn't go to Carnival....I know I know I messed up. I still wanted to see the tiny beach town of Sitges for myself though. Its surprisingly easy to get there; all it takes is a simple train from Passieg de Gracia and a 20 minute ride. when you get to the town you have a ten walk through the winding, small streets to get to the beach that the city surrounds. The city has benefitted from being close to Barcelona airport and has a reputation for its annual Film Festival and Carnival celebration.

In addition to the boardwalk and beautiful houses and hotels that litter the beachfront, there is a beautiful church on a cliff that overlooks the sea. It's called Iglesia de San Bartolomé y Santa Tecla and it is the most prominent landmark that can be seen from most places along the beach.

A statue of Santiago Rusiñol with the church in the background. 

Sitges has a long history with the arts and anything creative. The Catalan painter/playwright/ Santiago Rusiñol called the beach town his home and has a certifiably awesome bronze statue (pictured above) that features him with a painter's palette in one hand and a pipe in his mouth. Sitges was also ground zero for a counterculture movement during the 1960's when Franco was still in power and censoring art. It became a haven for some artists and has a thriving LGBT community that still exists to this day. The real beauty of this city is in its small alleyways and streets that are littered with stores of every variety: from clothing stores, to fresh fruit, you can find everything you want in this small city. 

A tiny alley that leads to the beach.