However, it was not until 1881, with the arrival of the railway line from Barcelona, that tourism in Sitges really began to develop. With the arrival of Santiago Rusiñol in 1891 - one of the architects of Modernism - Sitges became the cultural centre of the modernists.

Sitges began its transformation into a tourist hotspot in the late 19th century, specifically around the 1880s and 1890s. This shift was largely catalyzed by the "Modernisme" art movement and the arrival of artist Santiago Rusiñol in 1891, who turned the town into a cultural mecca for intellectuals and bohemian elites from Barcelona. Before this, Sitges was primarily a quiet fishing and wine-producing village. The town's reputation as a sophisticated resort grew further in 1916 with the opening of the Hotel Subur, one of its first major luxury establishments. However, it was during the 1960s economic boom in Spain that Sitges truly evolved into a mass-market international destination. During this era, it gained fame as a "counter-culture" haven and eventually became one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for the LGBTQ+ community. By 2026, it has solidified its status as a premier "MICE" (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and leisure destination, famous for its film festival, carnival, and 17 distinct Mediterranean beaches.