Join us for the third and last of this annual series of GOC walking events in Sitges!

If you haven't yet visited Sitges, arguably Europe's premier LGBTQI+ destination, what are you waiting for?

Aside from the sunshine and beaches, the nightlife and culture, and all that Barcelona has to offer just 40 minutes up the coast, there is some great hiking to be done even right from the town. Derek & I have been visiting for 25 years, and now we have own place and are visiting more and more.  Join us again in October 2026, and why not make a longer trip of it?

Once again, "GOC goes to Sitges 2026" aims to take into account your feedback from last year in order to improve and expand the trip for this year - to allow for more members again to attend, to provide new and different events to join (as well as much of the same again), and to offer opportunities to self-organise together.

Events are scheduled again for Monday to Friday, to allow you to make the most of your weekends and of your trip. Come early and/or leave late, and stay for as long as you choose.

October in Sitges is not as busy as the height of the summer season, culminating in Bears' Week in early September.  The weekends especially are still lively, however, while Mondays and Tuesdays in particular are quieter as some places close.  The weather in October is often lovely for hiking as well as for beach-going, and prices are at low season rates.

As last year, there is again an opportunity to join a Mallorca Autumn walking and cycling trip the week before, a short flight or ferry ride from Barcelona.

Bookings opened on 1 July for tours, walks, meals and socials as follows - for further details, follow the links to individual event pages:

On Monday afternoon, a choice of 3 guided tours from 4.00pm:

• the Sitges Rainbow Tour of local LGBTQI+ history with Colors Sitges Link (repeated on Friday)
• the tour A walk through the history of Sitges
• new for this year, a tour of Sitges and its public art led by Sitges-resident club member Derek McAuley

On Tuesday, a choice of 4 full day walks:

• new for this year, the 10.7 mile more difficult inland walk from L'Arboc to Vilanova, outward by minibus and return by train
• the 10 mile moderate coastal walk Sitges-Vilanova circular, with an optional afternoon swim and 5 mile options
• the 10 mile easy inland walk Sitges-Sant Pere de Ribes circular, with 5 mile options
• the 7.5 mile moderate inland walk Olivella-Sitges, outward by minibus

On Thursday, a choice of 4 full day walks:

• new for this year, the 10.9 mile moderate coastal walk from Torredembarra to Tarragona, outward & return by train, with 8 mile option
• the 10 mile more difficult but rewarding inland walk Bruguers-Garraf, outward by minibus & return by train
• the 8 mile more difficult but rewarding walk Sitges-Ermita de la Trinita circular
• the 10 mile easy inland walk Sitges-Sant Pere de Ribes circular, with 5 mile options

On Friday morning, a choice of 3 guided tours from 10.30am

• the Sitges Rainbow Tour of local LGBTQI+ history with Colors Sitges Link (repeated from Monday)
• a guided tour of three Sitges museums
• new for this year, A ghost of the 1920s: Terramar Garden Village and Autodrome led by Sitges-resident club member James Bailey

Plus evening meals and social events:

• on Monday from 6pm, Welcome drinks - hosted by Colors Sitges Link at one of the most historic buildings in Sitges
• on Monday from 8pm, a whole group dinner with set menu - at Le Patio Jardin Terrasse restaurant in the heart of the gay village with optional after-party at a nearby terrace bar
• on Tuesday from 8pm, Dine Around at several different restaurants in small groups, with an optional after-party at an indoor bar to swap notes - with additional new restaurant options this year
• on Thursday evening from 7pm, we expect an invitation to the Colors Sitges Link monthly members' social (no booking required) - perhaps with a quieter, early evening alternative
• on Friday evening from 6pm, Farewell drinks and nibbles at Fracasso
• on Friday evening from 8pm, a last hurrah at the Queenz Dinner Show cabaret
• and new for this year, if it can be arranged, some sort of cultural evening involving perhaps local musicians, Sardana dancing or a choir.

Also, for you to self-organise:

• Wednesday will be free for you to self-organise other walks or outings together, eg. biking in the Garraf natural park, wine tours in the Penedes, sightseeing in Barcelona, Monserrat, Tarragona, Vilanova i Geltru or elsewhere, shopping at Viladecans Outlet Mall - or just sleep in and go to the beach!
• a community of WhatsApp groups is provided again this year for you to self-organise shared travel, accommodation or anything else before or during the trip
• discount codes are provided again, to book at hotels where other GOC members will be staying, and to book holiday apartments or villas for yourselves (see member-only information below).

Sitges is around 40 minutes by train from Barcelona and Barcelona Airport, and about 20 minutes from the airport by airport bus or taxi. Sitges can be reached comfortably in a day by high speed rail from London via Paris and Barcelona, or from further afield with a stop-over en route - see  Man in Seat 61 and member-only information below.

For more on what to expect and what's available, see Visit Sitges & Spain.info, Garraf Tourism & Garraf Routes and TravelGay & Patroc.

Please click to Join if you are interested to join the trip, and please remember to click to Leave if you change your mind.

Please join the WhatsApp groups when you have confirmed your travel plans, and use them to coordinate travel and accommodation or to share any other questions,  suggestions or requests - to be added to the groups, please follow the link the member-only information below.