Few places along Catalonia's southern coast are as emblematic as Sitges, a town that combines natural beauty, historical sites, cultural events and a notorious nightlife better than most. It regularly grabs the top spots on must-see lists and has therefore been chosen to host such illustrious events as the Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, which takes place in the fall. It comes as no surprise that both celebrities and mere mortals flock to this pretty coastal town as it sports a picturesque appearance and an atmosphere that blends traditional charm with a cosmopolitan attitude.

Although Sitges has a reputation as a famed party town, it is also home to a pair of interesting museums, the Museu Can Ferrat and the Museo Maricel, and was once the playground of celebrated artists like Santiago Rusiñol. Despite years on the tourist circuit, Sitges has managed to eschew the cheap, mass tourism fate of other coastal areas and still maintains a unique character. After a stroll through its narrow streets and a good dose of culture, head down to the lovely seafront promenade where you can find an ample selection of superb seafood restaurants. As you wait for your paella or fideuá and sip one of the excellent local wines, you can watch people stroll by and enjoy a truly Mediterranean scene. On balmy summer evenings this is a particularly pleasant place for dinner. The entire promenade is bright with twinkling lights, and people gather on the beach for picnics, night-swimming and other fun summer antics. Nightfall also ushers in one of Sitges' most famous attributes - its exuberant nightlife, which fills the town’s many bars, clubs and streets with a high-spirited, international crowd of revellers. Sitges is equally well-known for its vibrant gay community and for hosting what is probably Catalonia’s most popular Carnival celebration. This event attracts people from around the region and even more far-flung places. The more reticent come to watch, whilst exhibitionists gather to don outrageous costumes and exotic make-up. One thing everyone comes for is the week-long party, complete with parades, events like the arrival of King Carnestoltes and the burial of the sardine and the infectious atmosphere of decadent fun.

Sitges is also a splendid place for beach lovers and sun-worshippers. The beaches in the city and towards the eastern end, such as Aiguadolç and Els Balomins, are the most relaxed. San Sebastiá, Fragata and the Beach of the Boats are excellent options for families as the water is quite shallow and therefore safe for children. The Platja de la Ribera in the west is popular with a young, hip crowd. If you enjoy walking and prefer to bathe in a more bucolic setting, head south towards Vilanova i la Geltru, the next town on the coast. The walk takes about an hour and a half and takes you to beaches like the nudist Platja del Muerto and many little coves tucked into the rocky coastline. If you don't want to walk the entire stretch, take the shuttle bus that operates between the cathedral and the golf course Terramar, get off at Club L'Atlantida and follow the coastal path.