For LGBT travelers, Sitges is the perfect place for a great beach getaway, and it’s easy to see why. The coastal town in Spain’s Catalonia region is a picture-perfect spot nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Garraf Mountains. Just as important is the fact that Sitges is super-open to LGBT people. Indeed, it’s so welcoming that finding gay-friendly places to stay in Sitges is as easy as pie. And with the wide variety of gay hotels in Sitges, there’s something to suit all budgets. Not just that, but we also looked at the hotels’ locations, most of which are in the town center. It’s heartening to see Sitges’ gay scene take up much of the town center and not be hidden away in some corner. Besides the location and budget, we also looked at different hotel categories, amenities, and how efficient and friendly the staff is.
While Sitges is a year-round destination, is there any best time to visit? Well, the answer depends on a few factors. Are you looking to party? Then the best time to go would be in June when Sitges Pride takes place. In a similar manner, the town is a frenzy of fun every September for Sitges Bears Week. If you’d prefer more personal space on the beach, it’s best to visit in the fall or in the springtime. During these months, Sitges is a lot less crowded.
Besides exploring its gay scene, there are many things to do in Sitges. We wanted to start out by exploring the best that the town has to offer, which is why we chose the Cycling Tour with Winery Visit and Tasting. But no matter when you decide to visit, you can expect a memorable stay at any of these LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Sitges, Spain.
Table of contents
Eurostars Sitges
11
Best 5-star hotel. As the town’s sole 5-star hotel, Eurostars Sitges offers the best services for a luxury stay. Many of its spacious rooms and suites, for instance, come with private terraces, some with sea views. The posh spa boasts a steam bath, hot tub, sauna, and indoor pool. But we like to swim outdoors, and we had not one or two, but four beautiful pools to choose from! Meanwhile, when it comes to drinking and dining, the hotel doesn’t disappoint. During our stay, we ate to our heart’s – and stomach’s – content at the three restaurants, bars, and lounge, which serve a medley of tasty cuisines.
Eurostars is also one of the top gay hotels in Sitges because of its location. Nearby, the historic Terramar Golf Club offers challenging yet pleasant courses, and we enjoyed tee time here. Also within easy reach are the pebbly beach and observation deck of Punta de les Coves. We capture some amazing pictures for Instagram here. Meanwhile, the secluded gay beach, Playa del Muerto, is a 7-minute ride away. During the spring and summer months, the forest behind the beach attracts plenty of cruisers.
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La Santa María
10
We wanted to experience the beach culture of Sitges, and we chose the La Santa María, which is a great pick for gay accommodation in Sitges. Sitting right on the seafront promenade, seaside living in Sitges doesn’t get any better than this. At this 3-star hotel, we had the choice of rooms with views of either the sea, the mountains, or the city, and we, of course, chose the sea-view rooms. Likewise, the hotel’s Paseo restaurant offers great sea views, which is where we’d enjoy a wonderful breakfast every morning. Not just that, but you can enjoy your paella and wine either on the terrace or even indoors.
The hotel is a great base for sampling the famous Sitges beach culture. A 2-minute walk brought us to Platja de la Bassa Rodona, the town’s main gay beach. On most laidback days, we’d pack a beach bag and head down to this amazing place. And if you visit during the annual Bears Week in September, you’ll even be just steps from the Bear Village. It’s set up on the promenade and features party venues, including dance areas and a stage.
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El Cid
9
Best value for money. Budget hotels can offer great value for money, as is evident with the lovely El Cid. Indeed, it packs quite a punch despite its single-star rating. Despite being a budget hotel with smaller rooms than most other hotels on this list, every room was air-conditioned and with its own TV and private bathroom. The bathroom even comes with free toiletries, if that’s important to you. Most of the good rooms come with a balcony facing either the pool or the main street, from where you can even see the Rotonda de “Can Perico” roundabout.
The amenities here left us impressed too. To start with, there was a free breakfast buffet every morning with hot and cold items. Secondly, there’s even an outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace with loungers. So, on the days when we didn’t want to explore, we relaxed by the pool. El Cid is in the town center, close to many attractions. Nearby, the Romantic Museum Can Llopis is an elegant sight. It’s an 18th-century neoclassical building where you can see paintings by Paul Rigalt. Similarly, the town’s gay nightlife isn’t far away, and we hardly had to walk five minutes to get to the gay scene in the Plaça Industria area. Truly, it’s a great choice for gay accommodation in Sitges.
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Hotel Montserrat
8
Family-run hotels are always fun to stay at, and Hotel Montserrat is no exception. Run by the Bartes-Abella family, we chose this hotel as it’s close to all the action. A 5-minute stroll, for instance, led us to Carrer de Joan Tarrida, with lively gay bars and cruising zones like El Homo and XXL Disco Bar. Plus, the LGBT-popular Bassa Rodona beach is, likewise, an easy walk from the hotel. This is why it’s among the most popular gay hotels in Sitges.
Hotel Montserrat is another example of high-quality budget accommodation. It features air-conditioned rooms equipped with a refrigerator and flat-screen TV. So, when we wanted to relax, all we had to do was stay in our room. We went for the rooms with the balcony, which are undoubtedly the best ones in the house. The reception is open 24 hours, so you can expect friendly service all day and night. Finally, there’s a rooftop terrace where we were able to chill with a drink.
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Privat Hotel Liberty
7
Best boutique hotel. Finding a boutique hotel in Sitges brought us to the Privat Hotel Liberty. Housed in a 19th-century Cuban-style building, this hotel projects charm from every angle. “Teddy bears” are the running theme and a big deal here; you’ll find them everywhere, including the rooms. Speaking of rooms, some of the best rooms in the house have a balcony or terrace with nice city or garden views. Notwithstanding which room you choose, satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines are standard room features.
This charming boutique hotel is quite popular with LGBT couples because of its intimate vibe. Downstairs, we loved the lovely little garden with tables and chairs underneath umbrellas. This is where we sat most of the time to enjoy a drink from the hotel’s bar. Also, the hotel gets a thumbs-up due to its awesome location. The nearby Cap de la Vila, the town’s historic center, is home to the Casa del Reloj (clock house), a fine example of Catalan Art Nouveau architecture. The museums Cau Ferrat and Maricel are similarly within walking distance.
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Hotel Subur
6
Like many other gay hotels in Sitges, Hotel Subur is an ideal spot for a seaside getaway. It sits right on the promenade, just steps from the golden sands of Ribera Beach. During the day, we would walk to Bassa Rodona Beach, the town’s main gay beach. And when we were feeling nocturnal and adventurous, the nearby L’Estanyol Beach is the place to be. This is because at nighttime, usually past midnight, it’s a great place for cruising.
Many of the 95 guestrooms at Hotel Subur overlook the Mediterranean Sea, and all come with air-conditioning, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi. Plus, the toiletries in the private bathrooms are free! We especially loved the double sea view room, which offers stunning and direct views of the promenade. Downstairs, we loved congregating at the hotel’s sports-themed resto-bar, which served up familiar comfort food like burgers and pizza. When we were raring for gay nightlife, we could simply mosey to the gay bars lining Carrer Bonaire. They’re a 3-minute walk from the hotel.
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Alenti Sitges Hotel & Restaurant
5
When it comes to avant-garde looks, the Alenti Sitges Hotel & Restaurant comes out on top. With clean angles and a minimalistic vibe, this 4-star boutique hotel resembles a large cube. We liked the stylish gay accommodation in Sitges that it provides, as all rooms have AC and heating, a mini-bar, and a flat-screen TV. But, the suites where we lived are particularly luxurious and boast a terrace and an outdoor jetted tub. Meanwhile, the hotel’s restaurant is a popular place in Sitges for its excellent tapas, so we had to try it out! We were actually eager for more Catalan cuisine, so we explored the delicious food scene with the Food and Natural Wine Tasting Tour.
The hotel sits on Calle Montroig (Sin Street), a stone’s throw from gay bars like Bunker. But, we were after wholesome pursuits as well, and many lovely things to see in Sitges are close by too. One example is the Church of Sant Bartomeu & Santa Tecla. Dating from the 17th century, it’s a lovely piece of Baroque architecture. Nearby, the Cau Ferrat Museum holds Catalonian artwork from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Santiago Rusiñol, head of Catalonia’s Modernisme movement, used to live in this building.
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Hotel Medium Sitges Park
4
Best heritage hotel. We love staying in hotels with local character, which is why we loved the Hotel Medium Sitges Park. Housed in a 19th-century modernist building, the building’s exterior is indeed a sight to see. Some of its original colonial elements remain intact, including the turret. In fact, they made some gorgeous pictures for our Instagram! Today, it’s a popular choice among those seeking a peaceful place to stay, including us. We loved the tranquility of the interior gardens and pool area, which was where we relaxed on the property whenever we weren’t exploring the town.
Meanwhile, the Mediterranean-inspired rooms have all the comforts of home. Most are awash in natural light because of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer stunning views of the town center. Moreover, all rooms feature modern comforts such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air conditioning.
Despite its air of seclusion, the hotel is in no way isolated. In fact, we were just a 4-minute walk from the men-only Sauna Sitges. Likewise, the gay bars and clubs in the Plaça Industria district are within walking distance. And if you’re the rum-drinking type of person, like us, you shouldn’t miss Casa Bacardi. Here, you can learn about how Facundo Bacardí Massó made his rum world famous. Or, learn to craft your own cocktails in a mixology masterclass.
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Hotel Alexandra
3
Best gay-owned hotel. If you’re seeking budget gay accommodation in Sitges that’s also gay-owned and operated, then there’s nothing better than the Hotel Alexandra. This property offers plenty of bang for your buck. As far as hotels go, it’s quite tiny, with just 16 rooms. But that’s what made staying here so exclusive and intimate, and we felt like we were part of a little family. What’s more, each room is well equipped for a pleasant stay with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and a private bathroom. And if the weather turns too warm, just turn on the air-conditioning.
Hotel Alexandra enjoys a location close to the gay hotspots. For instance, the gay beaches of Bassa Rodona and Estanyol are a short stroll away. Likewise, we were easily able to walk to the fun nightspots like Queenz Music Bar and Dark Sitges. Are you foodies like us? You shouldn’t miss the Sitges Food Market. It’s a 6-minute walk east of the hotel. Here, you’ll find stalls offering fresh produce and meat as well as dried goods.
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Hotel MiM Sitges & Spa
2
Since it’s endorsed by Sitges Pride organizers, we were eager to stay at the luxury Hotel MiM Sitges, which is a popular choice for gay accommodation in Sitges. In fact, one of the top reasons we wanted to stay here is the spa, which is evident in the name. So, there’s plenty of pampering to enjoy here. Firstly, we had a sublime experience at the Finnish sauna. After a relaxing massage in the treatment rooms, we tried the sensation showers and the steam bath before laying down on the heated beds by the leisure saltwater pool.
“We wanted to stay in a Sitges hotel where we could actually experience the Pride celebrations. And when we wanted to relax, the spa is amazing. So, it’s the best of both worlds!”
WOW Travel
After a spa session, what better than to stuff your face with delicious food? That’s what we did at the chic Restaurant Land, which boasts a world-class menu and wine list. We tried its take on xató, a traditional salad. Come evening, the Bar Fly beckoned to us, and we enjoyed drinks and bar snacks. Finally, we retired to the amazing rooms, or in our case, our suite, which embodied luxury with designer furnishings, a circular spa tub, and a spacious living room with mesmerizing views.
MiM is one of the best gay hotels around due to its central location. From here, it’s a 2-minute walk to the ever-lively Bassa Rodona gay beach. But if you’d like to sunbathe au naturel, head to Platja dels Balmins. This nudist beach is just 2 km (1.2 miles) from the hotel. It’s also worth mentioning that the town’s gay nightlife is even closer. A 5-minute walk led us to the gay bars and clubs of the upbeat Plaça Industria area.
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Calipolis
1
There are many reasons why Calipolis is one of the top gay hotels in Sitges for us. For one thing, it’s where the annual Sitges Pride usually kicks off, which is a huge check for us. For another thing, it’s right across from Bassa Rodona, the town’s main gay beach. So, we could head down to the beach and soak in the Spanish sun and waters whenever we wanted. Besides basking in the sun, there’s plenty more you can do right at the hotel, whose excellent amenities will delight LGBTQ and straight guests alike.
Firstly, there’s an outdoor swimming pool that comes with free towel service. So, even if you didn’t want to head down to the beach, the outdoor pool is mere steps from the rooms. For us, the breakfast buffet was a big hit, as it included hot and cold items. We also liked the state-of-the-art gym, where we tried to work off Spanish calories with heaven;y views. However, we reneged and headed to the open-air Infinity bar, which offers a superb tapas menu.
The spacious guestrooms and suites come with either a sea or mountain view, and we chose one with a sea view. Some, like our Junior Suite, even came with a private terrace with sunbeds where we could lounge with excellent promenaded views. The best bit? Well-stocked mini-bars, smart TVs, and free Wi-Fi are standard in all rooms.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all these gay-friendly hotels in Sitges, we did find some of them better than others for a few features. That’s why we’ve come up with a specialized list, which we’ve outlined below, featuring the best of the lot with their best features:
- Best gay-owned hotel: Hotel Alexandra
- Best heritage hotel: Hotel Medium Sitges Park
- Best boutique hotel: Privat Hotel Liberty
- Best value for money: El Cid
- Best 5-star hotel: Eurostars Sitges
Just So You Know:
- Sitges enjoys the nickname “The Gay Riviera.”
- The Playa del Muerto is a nudist beach where many gays love to hang out.
- On the seafront in Sitges stands the Pink Triangle Monument Against Homophobia. It’s Spain’s very first LGBTQ+ monument with the inscription “Sitges against homophobia – Never again” on it. It refers to the time in 1996 when police were targeting gay men by cracking down on the town’s beaches at night. After riots and a public outcry, this monument stands proud of Sitges fight against homophobia.
Get Some Culture in Sitges:
- International Bears Sitges Week – For two weeks every September, Sitges is a bear’s paradise. During this time, a bears village by the beach holds cool parties. Also, there’s a Mr. Bears Sitges contest!
- Sitges Gay Pride – Count on five days of gay fun each time June rolls by. There are pool parties, beach parties, and boat parties galore. To top it all off, the Pride parade draws thousands of LGBTQ people and their allies to a week of fun and frolic. Count on gay hotels in Sitges to be jampacked!
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Sitges:
- Seven Sitges – This is among the city’s oldest gay bars. Plus, it’s one of the most popular because of its great drinks, warm service, and upbeat music.
- XXL Sitges – Party the night away at this popular gay nightclub! Downstairs, a dance floor beckons with its funky lights. Upstairs, the cruising zone fills up past midnight. One of the best parts about XXL is that even in the off-season, it’s open on Fridays and Saturdays.
- El Horno – This pub is another pioneer of the Sitges gay scene and has been around since as far back as 1984. It’s one of the most popular hangouts for bears and their admirers in the town.
- Bar Comodin – How about partying the night away at the oldest gay bar in Spain? That’s Bar Comodin for you. It’s noted for its drag queen shows, which started as far back as the 1960s.
- Bukkake Cruise Bar – Bukkake is small and tightly packed, but it’s one of the wildest cruise bars in Sitges. Not only does it have erotic strip shows, but it also has a sling, maze, private cabins, and a pumping darkroom.
- Parrots Pub – If people-watching is your thing, then Parrots is the only place you should be. It’s long been a fixture on the Sitges gay scene and opens early and closes late.
Best Gay Saunas in Sitges:
- Sauna Sitges – This is a small sauna that’s open all year round. In addition to the standard spa facilities, it also offers a bar and darkroom. The foam parties here are a blast.