Maricel Palace Sitges – Architecture, History & Interior Tour

About Sitges Maricel Palace

Maricel Palace, or Palau de Maricel, is one of Sitges’ most emblematic early 20th‑century buildings. Often referred to as Maricel de Terra, it occupies the landward side of Carrer de Fonollar, directly opposite the sea‑facing Maricel de Mar complex that today houses the Maricel Museum. Together, these two buildings form the architectural heart of the Museus de Sitges cultural network.

Maricel Palace History

The palace was designed and built between 1913 and 1918 by Miquel Utrillo i Morlius, an engineer, painter, and key figure of the Sitges Modernist circle. Utrillo had lived in Paris with Santiago Rusiñol and brought a cosmopolitan artistic vision to the project. The palace was commissioned by Charles Deering, an American industrialist, philanthropist, and major art collector who sought a Mediterranean residence to house and display his extensive collection.

Deering lived in the palace until 1921, transforming it into a cultural hub that blended Modernisme and Noucentisme architectural styles. After his departure, the building entered a new chapter. In 1935, the Generalitat de Catalunya rented Maricel Palace as an extension of the Cau Ferrat Museum’s collections, reinforcing Sitges’ reputation as a centre for Catalan art and heritage. The palace was later acquired by Sitges Town Hall in 1954.

Maricel Palace is composed of a series of richly decorated rooms and terraces, each with its own character and purpose. Highlights include the Gold Room, the Blue Room, the Chapel Room, the Ship’s Room, the Cloister, and the panoramic Terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. The building retains just the right amount of patina — carefully preserved without feeling overly restored — giving visitors a sense of stepping into a lived, historic space rather than a reconstructed museum.

Today, Maricel Palace functions as both a museum and a cultural venue. It hosts exhibitions, conferences, concerts, and private events, including weddings and corporate gatherings. Its unique blend of architecture, history, and sea views makes it one of the most distinctive cultural landmarks in Sitges.

Maricel Palace website

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Visiting Sitges Maricel Palace

The exterior of Maricel Palace is one of the most photographed façades in Sitges. Its whitewashed walls, medieval‑inspired arches, sculpted stone details and narrow windows give the building a fortified, almost monastic appearance from the street. The contrast between the bright façade and the deep blue Mediterranean below is striking, especially along Carrer de Fonollar, where the palace rises dramatically above the sea-facing promenade. Look closely at the ornate dragon‑adorned ironwork and the carved stone reliefs framing the doorways and windows — small but exquisite details that reveal the craftsmanship behind Utrillo’s design.

Entering through the enormous double‑leaf wooden door feels like stepping into another era. The entrance opens into a tiled interior courtyard framed by elegant arches and a beautifully preserved staircase. Traditional Catalan ceramics line the walls, and at the centre of the courtyard a small fountain adds a gentle echo of water. This space — a blend of craftsmanship, colour and filtered light — sets the tone for the richly decorated rooms that follow.

After passing reception and admiring the painted ceiling, the first room you enter is a grand salon used historically for receptions and gatherings. An ornate fireplace anchors the space, accompanied by an oak desk, carved statues supporting the ceiling beams, and wagon‑wheel chandeliers that cast warm light across the room. Blue and white tiles along the lower walls display patterns of the Catalan and Sitges coats of arms. The Sitges emblem depicts the old castle that once stood on this very site, linking the palace to the town’s medieval past.

Beneath the staircase, a doorway leads into a smaller side room with a black‑and‑white chequered floor. A grand piano sits at the centre, with an upright piano against the wall and display cabinets filled with ornate crockery. The tent‑like ceiling above adds a theatrical flourish to this intimate space.

From the grand salon, take the staircase up to the roof terrace — one of the most ornate Mediterranean terraces you will ever see. It is divided into several sections designed for enjoying the sun and sea breeze. A small fountain pond in the shape of an eight‑pointed star sits among decorative tiles and sculptural details, creating a serene open‑air viewpoint over the coastline.

Equally impressive is the covered interior patio, a space that feels almost Andalusian in style. A rectangular fountain is surrounded by slender columns supporting arches and a richly decorated roof. Tiled bench seating lines the perimeter, and the walls feature ceramic murals depicting rural Catalan scenes. One side of the patio opens towards the sea, framing the Mediterranean through a series of arches. Look up to admire the blue ceiling painted with brown leaf motifs.

Descending from this patio leads into another grand entertaining room. Ornate wall lamps and ceiling fixtures draw the eye upward to the panelled wooden ceiling, while the patterned tiled floor adds colour and texture. A freestanding pipe organ stands proudly at one end of the room, hinting at the musical gatherings once held here. From this space, a staircase leads down to the exit via another grand tiled entrance hall that once served as the carriage drop‑off area. The route back to the street passes through a tall wooden door framed by carved stone.

Maricel Palace Opening Hours

Maricel Palace has very limited opening hours. To confirm whether it will be open during your visit, use the ticket link below to check availability or contact Museus de Sitges directly.

The Maricel Palace has limited opening times:

March, April, May, June & October — Sunday only: 10:00am to 2:00pm

Maricel Palace Tickets

I visited using an individual ticket, which cost 5 euros for an adult. I did not buy the ticket in advance but visited on a Sunday and found the palace open.

A combined ticket for Maricel Palace, Maricel Museum and Cau Ferrat costs 13 euros. I would only purchase this if you are certain Maricel Palace is open, as access is not guaranteed. Tickets for Maricel Palace are sold at the Cau Ferrat Museum.

Top tip: Download the “Museus de Sitges” app (available on Android and Apple). It functions as the audio guide for the palace and provides detailed information about the rooms, artworks and architectural features. Bring headphones and connect to the free museum Wi‑Fi to use the app comfortably.

Maricel Palace Tours Maricel Palace hours Sitges Museums Tickets Andriod app Audio Guide

What to take with you for Sitges Maricel Palace

Access to Maricel Palace is via a short flight of stone steps leading up from the cobbled street. Inside, an interior atrium staircase takes visitors to the noble floor where the tour begins. Access to the rooftop terraces is via a narrow staircase, and the building is not equipped with a lift, so it may present difficulties for visitors with reduced mobility.

There are no bicycle anchorage points near the museum, so cyclists should plan to lock bikes elsewhere in the historic centre.

Large rucksacks and bulky bags are not permitted inside Maricel Palace, and there is no space at reception to store them. I was allowed to enter with my small 10L daypack, but anything larger will need to be left at your accommodation.

Sitges Maricel Palace Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult € 9.20 € 5.00 Student uder 25 and Seniors, 2.50 Euros Child € 9.20 FREE Under 16 years free Group/Family Ticket? Contact museum for group discounts Notes Combined ticket for Maricel Palace, Maricel Museum and Cau Ferrat is 13 Euros

Getting to Sitges

Address: Carrer de Fonollar, Sitges, 08870

Maricel Palace sits in the heart of Sitges’ historic centre, just behind the iconic seaside church on the small headland. From Sitges train station, it’s an easy 10‑minute walk through the old town, following pedestrian streets that lead naturally down towards the seafront.

If you’re arriving from Barcelona, the palace is included in most Sitges day trip walking routes. The stroll from the station takes you past cafés, shops and the waterfront promenade before reaching Carrer de Fonollar — one of the most picturesque streets in Sitges, lined with whitewashed façades and sea views.

For full transport details, including trains, buses and parking options, see the Sitges Day Trip guide, which explains the easiest ways to reach Sitges from Barcelona and how to navigate the old town on foot.