From a Roman Village to a Resort Town: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Sitges

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Highlights

  • Find out how the city's turbulent past has shaped its present

  • Hear from producer Richard Seaward, a Londoner living in in Aix en Provence

  • Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way

  • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it

  • Use the virtual tour option at home

Summary

Inhale the same sea air that attracted resting Roman soldiers and edgy artists on this self-guided walking tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this stroll through the Spanish town. 

Tour info

Duration
45 minutes - 1 hour
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (6-99 years)
$5.99
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

73 Passeig de la Ribera, Passeig de la Ribera, Sitges, Catalunya, 08870

Dropoff location

1 Carrer Primer de Maig, Carrer Primer de Maig, Sitges, Catalunya, 08870

Why take this tour?

Sitges’ coastal location has always influenced the seaside town, but there’s much more to this historical place than amazing beaches – even if they have been enjoyed since Roman times, when soldiers came here for a break. On this walking tour, I’ll share some of Sitges’ centuries-old history, starting at the boardwalk. Here, you’ll discover how the ocean has impacted every element of the town, from the wars it’s seen, to the tourism that came later. I’ll tell you about the people who built the beautiful old mansions along the seafront, and how some of them made their fortunes.

Sitges has long been a magnet for the artistic, and was frequented by art students in the 1800s who would set up on the beaches and learn how to capture sunsets on canvas. In the early 1900s, it became a hub for the Catalan Modernist movement, in which Barcelona’s great architect Antoni Gaudi (of Sagrada Familia fame) played a big role. I’ll share a couple of stories about the hedonistic lifestyle of artist Santiago Rusinol, who was key to Catalan Modernism in Sitge.

Along the way, we’ll stop to look at some of the prominent galleries, museums and architecture, and I’ll tell you how this artistic movement and its members helped to shape the Sitges that you can see today. As we make our way through medieval Sitges and the Old Town, I’ll point out original buildings from the 1400s that still line the oldest street. You’ll find out what Sitges did to help Barcelona in the War of Succession and how the town learned to defend itself against its little pirate problem. I’ll also reveal how, in the late 1800s, the stars aligned for this seaside town to transform into a resort town that attracted gay people and liberal artists alike.

You can also look forward to:

• Passing by Museu Del Cau Ferrat, the home of Catalan Modernist movement leader, Santiago Rusinol
• Finding out how the town got its name
• Marvelling at Palau De Maricel, a magnificent building set up to attract even more artists to the town
• Hearing about Baluard Plaza, the imposing structure from where the military defended the town in the 1700s
• Taking in the site of the original medieval castle that Bernardo de Fonollar bought, making him Lord of Sitges
• Seeing the most photographed site in Sitges, the Church of St Bartholomew and Saint Tecla
• Visiting El Chiringuito, the first beach bar in Spain
• Learning how Facundo Bacardi Masso, of Bacardi Rum fame and a Sitgetan, invented the first white rum in the world
• Discovering how Sitges became one of the gay capitals of Europe
• Strolling through Cap de la Vila, an area once known as “the end of the village” and now part of the town’s centre

The town’s rich history still has a visible influence on modern Sitges, from its buildings, to its people, and its culture. On this 45-minute stroll, I’ll bring Sitges’ fascinating story to life.

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What’s included?

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English

  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS

  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

  • Smartphone and headphones

  • Transportation

  • Food and drink

Things to know

Before you book

  • The audio guide uses a mobile app.

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour.

  • You'll need to use your own mobile phone and headphones.

  • The tour is only available in English.

Before you go

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour

  • The download should only take a few minutes to complete. If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there

  • Please remember to bring your own headphones and use your own mobile device

  • Please follow the download instructions included to download the tour.

Redemption information

    To use your tour, please read the important instructions below and disregard all other codes except for this one: STGS6258
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    ⤓
    DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. Install the VoiceMap mobile app. (Just search the Apple App Store or Google Play for VoiceMap Audio Tours.)
    2. Create an account
    3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
    4. Enter the code below then select Download Now
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    #
    YOUR CODE:

    STGS6258

    This code can be used by every member of your party. If you have booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code. Codes are not case sensitive.
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    ⌁
    PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
    • You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
    • When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
    • This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
    • The download should only take a few minutes to complete. If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there.
    • Remember to bring your own headphones.
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    ✉
    SUPPORT:
    For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]


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VoiceMap makes audio tours easy and accessible. It has a beautifully simple tour app, a straightforward publishing tool, and a team of helpful editors. 

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