Spain April 19 - May 11, 2022 Sitges

Sitges is known as the Saint Tropez of Spain!  It is located about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona.  It is world renowned for its Film Festival and Carnival.  There are 17 sand beaches, high end stores, expensive homes and classy accommodations.  Sitges is a place frequented by those that live a lifestyle of rich and famous.  It was here that I purchased a selection of designer sweets and chocolates with intentions of it lasting at least a week, when in fact I had nothing to show after a day and a half.  

this was the view as we arrived to the seaside section of Sitges

walking the promenade

view of accommodations and homes from the promenade

the seaside promenade

staircase from the beach to the promenade

view along one of the many narrow streets with stores, cafes and homes

a residential walkway

lots of white

decoration around the window

incredible architecture

a view down to the promenade

a walkway with homes that leads to the beach

Sitges is known for its historical buildings

view while strolling along the seaside

entrance to an historical building

carving above a door way

intricate architecture

looking north along a stretch of one of the beaches

such colour and beauty

a cobblestone walkway through a residential area

clock tower at an intersection

A few of the seaside villages have hop on hop off trains like these. 

I had never heard of Sitges until the idea to visit it was put out there.  I learned that a hiking friend celebrated her birthday here a few years ago.  That must have been a grand celebration.  The village is absolutely beautiful, it is so clean and while there is so much white, it is still very colourful.  

Spain April 19 - May 11, 2022 Boat Ride to Malgrat de Mar

This was the view one morning while I was walking along My Beach.  I saw this boat pull away from the beach and head north.  I was curious so headed to the area where it pulled away from, walked up the boardwalk to the promenade and found a kiosk with a Spanish english speaking lady working at it.  I inquired about the boat ride and quite quickly a plan was developed. 

Two days later on a most beautiful morning, I headed to that kiosk, bought a one way boat ride ticket to Malgrat de Mar with intentions to walk back.  I walked to this seaside village prior but this time I would ride a boat there.  Here comes my ride!

The boat pulled up to the edge of the beach, lowered the deck and I was welcomed aboard.

looking back to the south end of My Beach where we took off from

beautiful Calella 

passing by Pineda de Mar

seaside village of Santa Sussana 

I sat on the upper deck where I could feel the sun on my face and the sea breeze through my hair.

taken from the back of the boat

there goes the train

coming up to my stop at Malgrat de Mar which is around that rock formation and then inland

The boat pulled up to the beach, lowered the deck and off I walked.

I walked through the sand to the boardwalk and then up to the walkway.  

By now the boat is on its way further north.

After a short time on the walkway, I headed back down to the beach and walked home.

It was so nice to be able to get a view of the beaches and seaside villages from out on the Mediterranean Sea.  The distance on the boat was 8kms and my stop was the fourth.  It was a good amount of time to be out in the elements on this sunny hot day and it was confirmed too, that I still have my sea legs.

 

Spain April 19 - May 11, 2022 Walk to Sant Pol de Mar

The first village south of Calella is called Sant Pol de Mar (de Mar means of the sea) and is within walking distance if you follow the beaches, walking paths and sidewalks.  Round trip is roughly 13kms which includes a few short detours.  There is the option to take the train back as the station is located pretty much sea side.  It's a fishing village with white houses and narrow streets, rocky bays and beautiful beaches.  I was up at sunrise and out the door an hour or so later which was my favourite time of day here in Calella.

  walking the promenade alongside My Beach

I am aiming for those stairs that are to the left of the Calella sign on the slope.

view walking up the staircase

view north to Calella and My Beach from the top of the staircase

this beach stretches a few kilometres and is where I collected beach glass

There are pathways and sidewalks that hug the edge the whole way to Sant Pol de Mar.  When I leaned over the railing, I saw this climbing wall. Others told me they walked by here later and saw climbers.  This is such an ideal setting and so different from the location of climbing walls I see here in Alberta.  

one of many little beaches along the way

some of these smaller beaches were popular for nude sunbathers

on the way back I opted out of photographing the nudists

that is Sant Pol de Mar in the distance behind me

on the way back I noticed this was the location for a fashion photo shoot

at times they spread their wings to stretch or dry

a White Wagtail

these were plentiful

getting closer to Sant Pol de Mar

I detoured off the walkway to the water to stroll the beach for a bit.

The walkway is up along the stone wall to the middle right.

view while down by the sea

artist in action

I took a break here and sat for awhile to just watch the water. 

arriving at Sant Pol de Mar

homes and church in the village

road biking is a very big thing

on the way back to Calella, I crossed over a bridge and this was the view

the walkway goes around that hill on the left

looking down at the bridge I crossed in the centre

I followed a trail uphill to these two stone towers

view from where the towers are looking down onto the lighthouse on the right and Calella

After arriving back to Calella, I strolled the beach instead of walking the promenade.  By the time I made it to my apartment, it was pool time and shortly there after, happy hour time which took place daily from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.  Supper time was next either at a local restaurant, take out or a meal from the grocery store.