Recommendations on what to do in Garraf, Penedès and Anoia this weekend

Here are a few recommendations on what you might want to do if you will visit the wine region Penedès or any of its towns – Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf), Vilafranca del Penedès and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Alt Penedès), El Vendrell and Calafell (Baix Penedès) or Igualada (Anoia) during the weekend 3-5 August. By clicking on the name (in green colour) for each comarca in this introduction you reach the full agenda in English for that particular area.


Cava and wine tourists might be happy to learn that the winery Joan Sardà in Castellví de la Marca (Alt Penedès) will be open for visits and wine tastings this weekend.

Fans of human towers also have a lot to look forward to – on August 4, Castellers de Vilafranca and Xicots de Vilafranca will both perform at home in Vilafranca del Penedès during the annual classic “Diada de Màrtirs Street” and with Castellers de Barcelona as their guests. Closer to the coast, Bordegassos de Vilanova will perform alone in Vilanova i la Geltrú on August 5.

The big Festa Major of the weekend is the one in Vilanova i la Geltrú which now reaches its peak with seven parades (or more) showing a rich range of Catalan cultural expressions (giants and giant mules, devils and dragons, stick dance and other typical folkdances plus human towers). Possible alternatives are the smaller Festes Majors on the beach platja del Francàs in El Vendrell or in La Llacuna (Anoia) which both, among other things, offer fire-runs (correfoc).

Lovers of the music havaneres must not miss the two-day concert with several well-known bands which is to take place in Calafell. Those who prefer classical music are recommended to go the beach Sant Salvador in El Vendrell where the Pau Casals International Music Festival continues with more concerts. In Sitges, finally, there is a quite unique open-air opera evening.

Those who already look forward to the next Sitges Film Festival should take note that its organizers will show short films on the beach platja de Terramar on August 3.

Among less expected events in Penedès this weekend, I want to mention a hunting fair with falconry demonstrations in Font-Rubí (Alt Penedès).

Those interested in sports will also have a lot to choose between: Open water swimming in Sitges, pétanque, tennis and table tennis in Cubelles and pétanque in Calafell.

In Igualada, finally, there will be a guided tour at the leather museum.

Welcome to Penedès!

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As you see, this week I have presented the events by theme and not according to their geographic location. What do you prefer?

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By Erik Wirdheim – your guide in English and Swedish to the wine region Penedès (Catalonia, Spain).