Everything in Spain happens late, which is why the locals start their beach days with lunch before hitting the sand. Unlike the many tourist traps at the nearby beachfront, La Zorra in Sitges isn’t the kind of place you stumble upon by accident. You’ll most likely need a reservation weeks in advance, especially during summer weekends when the day-trippers come to town, but it’s worth it since they’re serving some of the best paella around—not just in Catalonia, but in Spain. The versions at La Zorra don't stick to traditions, so you can dig into a giant pan of seabass and Iberian ham paella or even one packed with crab meat, bottarga, and served with a whole spider crab on top.  

photo credit: Sara Larsson