We’ve been to Sitges with the kids more than once. The first time was a weekend in July 2017 with the grandparents, when the boys were tiny. The most recent was a day trip with Damian (10) and Marc (7). It’s 35–40 minutes from Barcelona by car or train, with a proper old town, a church on the rocks above the sea, and beaches that suit kids. This page puts everything from our trips in one place, plus where to stay if one day isn’t enough.
Short on time? Our top 3 family hotels in Sitges
Meliá Sitges – 250 m from the beach, a 63 m² kids’ pool and 45 m² family junior suites.
Hotel Medium Sitges Park – 3-star, 2 minutes from the station, 5 from the beach, pool April–October.
Hotel Calipolis – on the promenade, with triple and family rooms with a side sea view.
Quick answers
- Getting there: R2 Sud train from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia, about 35–40 min. Or drive about 35 min (there’s a toll on the C-32 tunnels route).
- Best beach with kids: Platja de Sant Sebastià, small and sheltered, just below the church.
- Day trip or overnight? A day works. One night makes it a holiday.
- Watch out: several Sitges hotels are adults-only. All three in our box take families.
Barcelona to Sitges: train or car?
By train: take the Rodalies R2 Sud from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia. Trains are frequent and take about 35–40 minutes, and Sitges station is a short walk from the beach. With a pushchair and a beach bag, it’s the stress-free option. On our 2017 trip a single ticket was €4.10. Check the current Rodalies fare before you go.
By car: about 35 minutes via the C-32. In 2017 we paid a €6.68 toll. The drive is easy; parking in summer isn’t. Arrive before 10 am or use a car park on the edge of town.
Best beaches in Sitges for families
Platja de Sant Sebastià is our pick with kids: a small, sheltered bay just east of the church, lively with local families, with golden sand and calm water. Walk west along the Passeig de la Ribera, the palm-lined promenade, for the longer town beaches. They’re busier, but there are beach bars every few metres. The boys spent most of our last trip building sandcastles and in the water.
The old town and the church
Sitges’s old town is a maze of narrow whitewashed streets with flowers on the balconies, small galleries and boutiques. It’s easy with older kids and bumpy with a pushchair. At the top, on the rocks above the sea, stands the Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, the photo everyone takes of Sitges. The viewpoint beside it looks straight down onto the beach.
Where we ate
A Mediterranean lunch at a local bar: patatas bravas, calamari, pan con tomate and a seafood paella for the table, then churros for dessert. On our first trip it was tapas and sangria (for the adults). Most restaurants are along the promenade and in the old town. For lunch with kids, eat before 2 pm, when the Spanish lunch rush starts.
Las Casetas del Garraf: a stop on the way
Between Barcelona and Sitges, the little green-and-white beach huts of Garraf sit on a calm, shallow beach. It’s a great first stop on the way, or a quieter alternative to Sitges in summer. Read our Las Casetas del Garraf family day trip.
Where to stay in Sitges with kids
Sitges has many hotels, but a surprising number are adults-only. We’ve removed one from our own old list for exactly that reason. These three take families, and each publishes rooms that fit one:
- Meliá Sitges: 250 m from the beach, near the Aiguadolç marina, with a 287 m² pool and a separate 63 m² pool for kids (seasonal). Family double rooms (about 26 m² + sofa bed) and family junior suites of about 45 m² with a sea-view terrace.
- Hotel Medium Sitges Park: a 3-star 2 minutes from the train station and 5 minutes’ walk from the beach, with a garden pool open April–October. The easiest choice if you’re coming by train.
- Hotel Calipolis: right on the seafront promenade, with triple and family rooms with a side sea view.
Sitges with kids: day trip plan
- 9:30 train from Sants or Passeig de Gràcia (or drive, with a stop at Garraf).
- 10:30 beach at Platja de Sant Sebastià before it fills up.
- 13:30 lunch: bravas, calamari, paella.
- 15:30 old town and the church viewpoint.
- 17:00 the promenade, ice cream, back to the beach or the train.
More easy trips from the city: 20 day trips from Barcelona.
Sitges with kids: FAQ
How do you get from Barcelona to Sitges with kids?
Take the Rodalies R2 Sud train from Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia; it takes about 35 to 40 minutes. By car it takes about 35 minutes via the C-32, which has a toll.
Which is the best beach in Sitges for families?
Platja de Sant Sebastià: a small, sheltered beach just east of the church, with calm water and plenty of local families.
Is Sitges good for a day trip with kids?
Yes. It combines an easy train ride, family-friendly beaches, a compact old town and plenty of places to eat, all within 40 minutes of Barcelona.
Which Sitges hotels are good for families?
Meliá Sitges has a separate kids’ pool and family junior suites, Hotel Medium Sitges Park is next to the train station with a pool, and Hotel Calipolis is on the seafront with triple and family rooms. Check before booking elsewhere, as several Sitges hotels are adults-only.
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