There’s a reason the population of this tiny coastal town (pop. 27,000) inflates in the summer like Harry’s awful Aunt Marge. Situated just 50km south of Barcelona, the sandy beaches of Sitges (pronounced “SEAT-jess”) serve as a refuge for those fleeing the metropolis for the day to find turquoise waters, 300 days of sun, and rocky alcoves. Sitges is much more than a sandy second to Barcelona, though. Its architecture tells the story of a time of farming and fishing long past, while the lush interiors of its museums hint at its rise to prominence in the late 19th century as a center of modernisme. Sitges is also one of Europe’s premier gay resort destinations.