LXXIII Travessia Sitges 2026

The drive south from Barcelona toward Sitges reveals the rugged transition from urban sprawl to the limestone drama of the Garraf Massif. As the C-31 road carves through these cliffs, the Mediterranean suddenly expands, marking the arrival at a coastline where the water has defined local life for centuries. Swimmers participating in the LXXIII Travessia Sitges on August 3, 2025, experience this terrain from a vantage point few visitors ever reach. The 2200m main event acts as a historical survey, starting near the urban stretch where the asymmetric profile of the Church of San Bartolomé and Santa Tecla serves as a primary navigation beacon for all competitors.

A landscape of history and influence

Navigating the coastal waters, you pass sites that tell the story of the 'Americanos'. These 19th-century returnees, who built their fortunes in Cuba, left a distinct architectural mark on the town, introducing palm trees that still sway above the houses lining the shore. The influence of the Caribbean is not limited to the flora; it is cemented in local vocabulary. The term 'chiringuito', used globally for beach bars, was coined here in 1913 at a spot called 'El Kiosket', inspired by the Cuban method of straining coffee through a stocking. While the modern urban sprawl is visible, the western side of the municipality shifts toward the secluded, rugged cliffs of the Playa del Muerto, a site often accessible only by sea and known for its privacy.

Those looking for a different tempo in these same waters can find the Marnaton eDreams Sitges event held in May, which offers a broader exploration of the coastline before the height of the summer heat. The race day operations are managed by the Club Natació Sitges, an institution that has organized this crossing for over seven decades, ensuring that the logistics account for the local currents typical of the Garraf coast. As you swim, you may notice the inverted triangle monument, a symbol of the town’s role in LGBTQ+ history, sitting near the shore as a testament to the community that hosts this annual endurance challenge.

Annual since 1949

The Club Natació Sitges, founded in 1925, swam the first crossing on 1 August 1926. It became a fixed annual appointment in 1949 and has not missed a year since, which places it among the oldest crossings in Catalonia. Three courses finish together on the Fragata beach, beneath the church.