Explore Sitges Art and Culture: Our Guided Walking Tour

Sitges is famous for its artistic heritage and artist community. There is a wealth of art galleries, studios, and museums showcasing traditional and contemporary art from Catalonia and around the world.

The history behind the Sitges Art and Culture scene

In the late 19th century adventurers from Sitges went to Cuba and the Americas to make their fortune and when they returned, they used these new fortunes to build beautiful homes (some of which are part of the Utopia Villas collection), and also to become patrons of the arts. This new wealth drove the change of Sitges from a traditional fishing village towards the cosmopolitan town that we know today.

Famous artists like Santiago Rusinol and Arcadi Mas i Fondevila lived here.  Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali also spent time working in Sitges. If you are interested in cultural things to do in Sitges, then check out the historical and contemporary art in one of Sitges’ museums or galleries.

Our Sitges Art and Culture walking route

Here is our walking route of Sitges Old Town where many of the galleries and museums reside.  You can visit as many or as few on the route as you like.

A. Maricel Museum

This magnificent building right on the seafront was refurbished in 2015 and houses an outstanding collection as part of the Barcelona Provincial council local museum network. The extensive collection of more than 3,000 works covers periods from the 12th century right up to the present day. A key area of focus is the last 200 years of Catalan painting with significant works by artists including Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas, and Artur Carbonell. The sculpture gallery with picture window views out over the Mediterranean is a favourite of many visitors.

The museum offers guided tours and audio guides, both of which are excellent ways to enrich your visit. The Maricel museum is linked to our next item and a shared ticket gets you access to both museums.

B. Cau Ferrat Museum 

Next door to the Maricel is the former home of Santiago Rusiñol and the Mecca of Modernism at the heart of Sitges in the late 1800’s. The house was an artists salon hosting musicians, authors, and artists from all over Catalonia and beyond.

Today the museum aims to recapture some of that time.  The building itself and the eclectic collection within brings to life a fantastic period in the journey of Sitges  becoming a cultural highlight in Europe.

Again there is a shared ticket with the Maricel Museum, and the spaces and collections complement each other brilliantly.

C. Stämpfli Foundation

This 800m2 gallery is dedicated to the contemporary work of artists from around the world and therefore is one of the most important collections of modern art in Cataloia. A passion project of artists and patrons Pere and Anna Maria Stämpfli, all artworks are donated or loaned by artists, gallery owners or artists’ estates.

There are temporary exhibitions throughout the year so check out their website to see what’s on. A recently completed extension now means the full collection is accessible.

D. Fuentetaja Galeria

This gallery showcases the work of local artist Jose Luis Fuentetaja. Originally from Madrid, Jose Luis now divides his time between Asia and Sitges. The people and landscapes of Asia are frequent subjects in his work.

E. Out of Africa

The OOA Gallery opened in April 2011 and aims to promote contemporary African art among the collectors and art lovers of Spain and beyond. Through six solo and group shows yearly in the gallery, the OOA Gallery gives visibility to creativity and contemporary artistic diversity in Africa.

The established or emerging African artists are firmly rooted in their respective identities and stories, showing their strong links to the modern world without losing their uniquely African roots.

Represented artists by OOA Gallery Sitges:

ABOUDIA – ANJEL – Miquel ARNAL – BOB-NOSA – BODO FILS – Sambo BOLY –

Sébastien BOUCHARD – Ilídio CANDJA CANDJA – Bruce CLARKE – MIMOUNI –

Francis MAMPUYA – Fran MARTÍ – Evans MBUGUA – MÉNÉ – Wycliffe MUNDOPA –

Freddy MUTOMBO – Abdias NGATEU – Kobina NYARKO – Larry OTOO –

Sadikou OUKPEDJO – Hamed OUATTARA – Boureima OUEDRAOGO – SAADIO –

Rémy SAMUZ – Diseye TANTUA – Siaka Soppo TRAORE – David THUKU – Médéric TURAY

F: I le gallery

Gallery director Kate Caiazza hails from New York, and she brings a new world sensibility to this cool gallery in the old town of Sitges. The work is modern and fresh and encompasses both figurative and abstract works. The website lists current exhibiting artists here.

G. Agora 3

Since the early 1970’s Agora 3 has been an integral part of the Catalan artistic world. It hosts exhibitions of both traditional as well as modern examples of the most important Catalan painters. There is usually a temporary exhibition to go with the collection so check out their website or Facebook page.  You can see their represented artists here.

H. Manuel Blesa

Manuel has been a fixture on the Sitges art scene for many years and his beautiful gallery in Sitges old town is well worth a visit. As well as showcasing his artworks you can also see some stunning photographs of the early years of the artist’s residence in Sitges.