Bear in Sitges
by Rodrigo Parra
EN · ES · PT
BALMINS BEACH
Balmins Beach
If there's one place you need to know before your first Bear Week, it's Balmins.
This small beach becomes the main daytime meeting point during the event.
People come to spend the day, meet friends, catch up and enjoy the beach — with a little flirting along the way.
It's also a place where knowing a few things beforehand can make your day much easier.
TIMING MATTERS
Earlier is easier
Balmins is a small beach, and during Bear Week it can get extremely crowded — particularly on both event weekends. Some people start arriving around 8 or 9 in the morning. By around 11, finding a comfortable place can become much harder. If having a good spot matters to you, I'd aim to arrive before 10am.
During the week, the beach tends to feel a little calmer than on the busiest weekends.
FIND YOUR SPOT
It's smaller than you might expect
Balmins is surrounded by rocks, with a relatively narrow strip of sand, so it's easy to walk from one end to the other.
The area closer to the bars and restaurants tends to have a more mixed crowd.
MY TAKE
I usually prefer the central part of the beach, around the lifeguard area and roughly midway along Balmins.
But don't overthink it. Walk around when you arrive, see where your friends are and find the spot that feels right for your day.
- Rodrigo Parra
PACK FOR THE DAY
Bring what you'll actually need
If you're planning to spend several hours at Balmins, it helps to arrive prepared rather than relying on finding everything once you're there.
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A beach chair
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A beach umbrella
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Towels
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Food
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Drinks in a cooler
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen
I prefer bringing my own beach chair. Loungers are available, but renting one can be expensive.
And remember to reapply your sunscreen during the day. If you're going to spend a lot of time in the water, I also recommend bringing a separate sunscreen specifically for your face.
GOOD TO KNOW
Yes, Balmins is a nudist beach
Balmins is officially a nudist beach, so nudity is common and completely normal. That doesn't mean you have to be nude. You'll see people enjoying the beach in different ways, so do whatever makes you comfortable while respecting the people around you.
Eating around Balmins
WHEN YOU GET HUNGRY
Balmins is officially a nudist beach, so nudity is common and completely normal. That doesn't mean you have to be nude. You'll see people enjoying the beach in different ways, so do whatever makes you comfortable while respecting the people around you.
MY TAKE
For something quick, I like Balmins Beach Chiringuito. La Caleta has a broader menu and is another option I enjoy — particularly for a sandwich.
If I'm planning to spend the whole day at the beach, though, I often prefer bringing food and drinks with me.
- Rodrigo Parra
LEARNED ALONG THE WAY
What I wish I'd known
You'll probably need more sunscreen than you expect.
Drinks at Balmins aren't cheap.
I wish I'd brought an extra one. When you spend a lot of time in the water, you need to reapply throughout the day — and there aren't shops right by the beach where you can easily buy another one.
I wish I'd known how quickly the cost of drinks can add up when you spend the whole day at the beach. Buying them at a supermarket on the way and bringing a cooler can make a big difference.
GOOD TO KNOW
That strange sting
in the water
If you're swimming at Balmins and suddenly feel a strange sting on your skin, you're not necessarily imagining it.
Jellyfish can occasionally be present along the coast, and even fragments of their tentacles floating in the water can still sting.
Conditions vary from day to day, so it's worth checking the official beach information before heading out.
Going to Balmins today?
The local council maintains a live map of beach facilities and jellyfish warnings. It is updated throughout the day and is the most reliable way to know if it's worth the walk.
KEEP PLANNING
Make the rest of Bear Week easier
Balmins is only one part of your day. Where you stay, how you move around Sitges and what you do afterwards can make just as much difference.
END OF THE DAY
There's no right time to leave
People who arrive early may start leaving around 4pm, while those who arrive later can stay until 7 or 8pm.
A lot depends on your own rhythm. Many people head back earlier to rest before going out again later, while others prefer to make the most of the beach.
Summer days are long in Sitges, so there's still plenty of light later in the day.
