Bears Week Sitges 2022

The No 1 Bears event in Europe – right by the Mediterranean Sea.

Bears Week Sitges has grown into the No 1 Bear event in Europe, attracting more than 5,000 bears, cubs, musclebears, chasers and admirers from all 4 corners of the globe. This is one sexy event where sensuality and sun ooze in the hot September nights.

• Visiting for Bears Week? Book your stay as early as possible. Expand your search to Apartments. Sitges has some top-class options with great views and high end amenities.

The Bear Village

• The Mediterranean Sea forms the backdrop to the “Bear Village”, a purpose built village in the paseo complete with an al fresco bar, stage and DJ. Every night from 7pm until 3am you can join hot guys on the beach for some of the best music and partying in Spain.
• Although the Bear Week kicks off on the Friday, the Bear Village does not open until the following Monday (Sept 5th), however, don’t worry, the town fills up with bears several days before the official start date as the streets of Sitges, and in particular “Bear Alley” become party central.
• Enjoy seafront views of the Bear Village at the Hotel Platjador, a 3 star hotel with high review scores, a pool and deck, extra large rooms and delicious breakfast options.
• Other seafront hotels include the popular 4 star Hotel Calipolis with wraparound balconies and central location.

Bear Alley

• Bear Alley is the nickname given to Calle Joan Tarrida, the street connecting Plz Industria (home to Parrots Pub and Central Bar with large outdoor terraces) to Bears Bar on Calle Bonaire.
• The street is home to popular gay bars, El Horno, Man Bar, XXL, La Villa and Amb Gust. Bears gather for post beach drinks from 5pm onwards as the street fills up with guys from around the world. Arrive early. From 8pm, the streets are full. The street party, though unofficial, is one of the major attractions of the event, so much so they council had to police the “people-traffic” with a one-way system in 2021.
• Hotels close to Bear Alley include the Hotel Alenti, a boutique hotel right on Plz Industria with views of the gay square.
• With fewer than 15,000 hotel rooms, Sitges fills up fast. Many visitors choose to stay in one of the 300 apartments that are available to rent short term.

Balmins – The Bear Beach

• Sitges has 17 different beaches, 3 of them gay. Balmins is the reigning queen of beaches during the bear festivities.  The beach is 1.3 km from the centre of Sitges. It takes about 16 minutes to walk and the journey is quite something. Apart from bumping into hot bears along the way, you have the beautiful Mediterranean sea as your guide. Just follow the beaches past San Sebastian and you can’t get lost.
• Many visitors choose to stay close to the beach and walk into town. A taxi is also an option costing around EUR 6.
• The Melia Sitges hotel is just steps from Balmins Beach, has two large pools, spacious rooms and is very bear-friendly.
• Other nearby hotels include the San Sebastian Playa Hotel. Again, this hotel has some of the larger rooms in Sitges, has a small pool with a pretty internal courtyard and is located in a quite area about 5 minutes walk to the centre of Sitges.

Sitges Gay Bars

An update for 2022. The crisis over the past two years has had an effect in Sitges as it has elsewhere, but especially in the hospitality sector. Bar 7, Comodin, Dark Bar have all closed. Late night clubs have closed including Organic and Bunker. There is no clear indication as to if and when they will reopen.

However the bars that have survived are stronger and many have introduced outside terraces which have proven especially popular, including Man Bar, XXL and El Horno. The interior terrace at La Villa is also a great option if you are looking for something a little different.

Late night bars remain as before; Soho, Privilege, Queenz and El Piano. Cruising bars such as Bears Bar and Bukkake have also weathered the storm.

Where to stay in Sitges during Bears Week

• Dolce Sitges – Sitges only 5 star hotel, recently underwent a 14 million euro refurbishment. Great pools, but requires a taxi or shuttle into town. Having said that, it is the best hotel in town.
• Hotel MiM – Owned by footballer Messi, the hotel is at the heart of Sitges, just steps from the main gay beach and is home to the Skybar, a perfect place to begin your evening with breathtaking views of Sitges.
• Hotel Medium – Right in the heart of Sitges town centre, with a large pool and gay-friendly staff.

Bears Week May Edition

Sitges has not one, but two bear events. The smaller Bears Week Sitges, May Edition takes place during the May Bank Holiday weekend.