Information about Sitges, Spain 2009

[+ Axiom2001]

In September of this year, I plan to spend a few days in Stiges. ...have already consulted and read http://www.GayStiges.com and became that much more interested in the place, but now I would highly prefer to hear from the guys here who have gone there!

 

What hotel recommendations are out there? What restaurants of choice? Beach activity after 1am? ...any other info. that you deem pertinent and helpful?

[Guest AndrewJames]

Apartments

 

The Liberty Hotel, also manages several private apartments. The hotel itself is very near the train station, but some of the apartments are much closer to the beach. Last time I was in Sitges I stayed at a beautiful place on Calle Angel Vidal, that I arranged through the Liberty Hotel.

They were also helpful, when we asked about going for a walk where we would not be accosted by peddlers selling hashish, they told us exactly where to avoid and what times. They would also, I am sure, be able to give you information about where not to walk if you wanted to "avoid" boys soliciting prostitution.

[Guest bighugbearphx]

Condo accommodations

 

A gay couple I know own a multi-unit luxury condo complex, right there on the beach at Sitges (a short distance from the gay/nude section), and apparently very reasonable in price. They're always after me to check it out, but I never had a chance. But I know others who have and raved about it to everyone. Apparently there's a shopping plaza right across the road, including some nice restaurants and gay-friendly clubs. And there is an onsite gay-friendly manager you can ask for where to go, etc.

 

Also, they both are semi-retired from the travel industry, and can help with any other arrangements you want to make for your trip.

 

Check it out at http://www.seasidejourneys.com

[tony]

I went last year at stayed at a hotel right accross the beach. The place is very small and can be walked on foot. Very friendly and quiet beach town in the day. Gays and straigth mix on the beach, except for the obscure gay beach which is very difficult to get to. At night, it is as gay as I have ever seen. Very friendly scene for men of all ages and types. Bars everywhere, dance clubs, you name it and they have it and are packed to where you can barely walk. They are not huge places like in London, but more intimate. Beautiful place and you should have no problem hooking up, I did, but did not hire. However, if in the mood, Jean Franko is in nearby Barcelona, a short train ride away. Love the town and would like to go back. Great looking bodies in some very small European bathing trunks!

[+ Axiom2001]

Something told me to check out my thread of a few days' back. Thanks, guys! Your advice and recommendations are indeed quite helpful.

 

I will stay in Barcelona for six days and in Stiges for two and one half. Once I arrive I know that I will have the urge to return. In retrospect I perhaps should have booked for a much longer stay!

 

If others have additional and salient information-- pass it on, please.

 

Two sites of note: http://www.GaySitges.com and http://www.GoSitges.com

[Steven_Draker]

Sitges

 

I've been several times to Sitges and I try to visit every year when I'm in Barcelona. Regarding accommodation: most of the small hotels across the gay beach are becoming rustic and need to be updated. If you're looking for a nice place to stay I'd recommend the Sol Melia **** hotel http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=0807 The only inconvenience is that the hotel is located 15-20 min walk from "downtown" Sitges where all the fun happens. You can walk or take a short cab ride. Taxis are available everywhere or your hotel can arrange one.

 

If you prefer to stay away from the hustle and bustle and night life of Sitges, you can chose to stay at Masia Casanova, a friendly gay guesthouse nestled up in the mountains just about 15 min taxi ride from Sitges http://www.masiacasanova.com A great mountain retreat, nice property with a pool, gay owned and operated by two friendly english-speaking guys. That's where I stayed last time.

 

As far as restaurants: a must do is Fragata http://www.restaurantefragata.com Great food, decor and ambiance. That's the last one of the restaurant's row adjacent the Church. A few steps from there on the same street there is a very good French restaurant which is worth stopping by.

 

There are plenty of things to do at night. Bear in mind that Spaniards eat very late and the night life picks up around 2 am. There are a number of bars and discos and many attractive guys in the streets cruising and going from one place to another. The nude gay beach is quite a walk from downtown Sitges. It may worth to grab a cab to the far end of the village and then walk thru the abandoned rail tracks and the wood to get there.

 

Enjoy Sitges! It will be hard not to have a good time!

 

Cheers,

[+ Axiom2001]

Thanks, Steven for your suggestions. The gay guest house to which you alluded is booked for the dates that I hope to be in Sitges. In fact, all of the gay hotels and guest houses are full during this time. But that is quite all right since I will be staying in the Axel Hotel in Barcelona and will obtain that type of atmosphere there.

 

Your two restaurant suggestions will be acknowledged. Again, thanks!

[Steven_Draker]

Thanks, Steven for your suggestions.

 

You're very welcome, Axiom. I'm glad to help when I can.

 

Your two restaurant suggestions will be acknowledged. Again, thanks!

 

I forgot to mention that for Fragata you definitely need to make a reservation. Enjoy!

[happyguy2]

I had never thought of a vacation in Spain. Thanks to all of you and your contributions, I am looking into some dates for next winter!

[BARR1965]

Okay, a stupid question. I heard that there is a difference between Mexican Spanish and Spaniard Spanish. When I went to Argentina the only difference I can tell was there pronounciation of some word but other than that I understood most of them.

[MscleLovr]

There is more than a difference; there are several differences.

 

And given this post is about Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, the principal one would be that the language is Catalan - one of the three official languages of Spain.

 

There it is regarded as insensitive (and worse) to refer to 'Spanish' when what you mean is actually known as Castilian (Castellano).

 

The major differences IMHO for a visitor are

 

1. the 'll' sound is pronounced 'elye' in Spain instead of as a soft 'j' in Latin America. and

 

2. the verb 'coger' is very useful in Spain, as it means 'to take' or 'to get', whereas in Latin America it simply means 'to fuck'

[+ Axiom2001]

Thanks all for sending responses to my "queries." - My flight from Rome to Barcelona has been confirmed; The Hotel Capri (a mid-range priced venue) has been booked. Now I must prepare myself by reading and writing and remembering!

 

From what I have read, Sitges is more fun than ProvidenceTown (PT), but I don't know this-- I've not had a chance to visit this area although I've read about it.

 

If you guys have additional restaurant suggestions-- I'd like those, too, please!

[+ Gar1eth]

Thanks all for sending responses to my "queries." - My flight from Rome to Barcelona has been confirmed; The Hotel Capri (a mid-range priced venue) has been booked. Now I must prepare myself by reading and writing and remembering!

 

From what I have read, Sitges is more fun than ProvidenceTown (PT), but I don't know this-- I've not had a chance to visit this area although I've read about it.

 

If you guys have additional restaurant suggestions-- I'd like those, too, please!

 

So Axiom,

 

Are you going by yourself--or do you need a travel buddy? I know a chubby middle-aged dude who would love to go along--dutch treat of course;)

 

Gman

[BARR1965]

There is more than a difference; there are several differences.

 

And given this post is about Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, the principal one would be that the language is Catalan - one of the three official languages of Spain.

 

There it is regarded as insensitive (and worse) to refer to 'Spanish' when what you mean is actually known as Castilian (Castellano).

 

The major differences IMHO for a visitor are

 

1. the 'll' sound is pronounced 'elye' in Spain instead of as a soft 'j' in Latin America. and

 

2. the verb 'coger' is very useful in Spain, as it means 'to take' or 'to get', whereas in Latin America it simply means 'to fuck'

 

Thanks MscleLovr. In the Philippines, even though they have their own language (Tagalog) some of the words they use are Spanish and pronounce it just like a Castillian. They learn to speak Spanish when King Philip of Spain discovered or conquered the Philippines.

[BARR1965]

So Axiom,

 

Are you going by yourself--or do you need a travel buddy? I know a chubby middle-aged dude who would love to go along--dutch treat of course;)

 

Gman

 

Axiom and Gman --- the more the merrier ... so can I tag along, too.

[tony]

Has anyone ever stayed at The Parrot hotel in Siges? I have seen it's website and it looks well located but am worried about amenities such as actual rooms, a/c, etc.

Any advice would be most welcome.