Maresme Area (Barcelona North Coast)
ABOUT THE MARESME COAST (BARCELONA NORTH COAST)
Where is the Maresme coast?
The Maresme coastal stretch, situated to the north of Barcelona, extends over 50km from Montgat to Malgra de Mar. Its proximity to Barcelona and golden sandy beaches partly explain its huge popularity with Barcelonians, but that’s not the whole story. You’ll also find pine woods, pretty fishing villages and Modernista mansions.
The region is home to many enchanting towns and villages including the ancient village of Cabrils, and charming Premià de Dalt, set in the hills and only 25 minutes from the centre of Barcelona. Other places of note include Caldes d’Estrac, El Masnou and, a favourite with golfers and the sailing community, Sant Andreu de Llavaneres.
If you’re looking for somewhere close to Barcelona with a slightly slower pace, this is the place for you! Superb sports facilities, a unique microclimate and an excellent selection of restaurants, coupled with a delightfully laidback atmosphere, ensure an exceptional quality of life.
Public transport on the Maresme coast
Travelling between Barcelona city centre and the Maresme is easy. Trains run regularly from Plaça Catalunya, with a journey time of less than an hour, and with stations every few kilometres, you can travel up and down the coast to explore. The journey time to Barcelona city centre by car is 1 hour.
In addition, Moventis Casas runs a regular bus service in the region, linking the Maresme’s fourteen main towns to the centre of Barcelona.
The area is also easily accessible from the international airports in Barcelona (El Prat de Llobregat) and Costa Brava – Girona.
Top towns and villages in the Maresme
Not surprisingly, there’s considerable variety amongst the total number of 30 towns and villages in the Maresme. The capital of the region is Mataró which has a rich historic legacy and a lively marina, while Callela is the tourist capital of the Maresme coast. Highlights at the former fishing village include some excellent restaurants, a smattering of historic buildings, and striking views along the coast.
Other favourites include Caldes d’Estrac (or Caldetes), a spa town with a booming restaurant scene, a dazzling stretch of beach and an eclectic mix of Modernista and Gothic architecture. The top spot here is the Fundació Palau – a collection of scribbles, drawings and paintings documenting Josep Palau i Fabre’s friendship with Picasso. There’s the chance to top up here on spa treatments at the 19th century Balneari Caldes d’Estrac.
You’ll find more Modernista architecture at Canet de Mar, alongside an old quarter with cobblestone streets and brightly painted houses. Climb to the top of Pedracastell hill for amazing views and to see Santa Florentina Castle, a Visigothic fortress restored by Lluís Domènech I Montaner (architect of the Palau de la Música in Barcelona) at the end of the 19th century. If the imposing castle looks familiar, it could be thanks to its role in Game of Thrones.
Coastal Arenys de Mar is also a melting-pot of baroque and Modernista architecture but the big attraction is the wonderful medley of natural beaches with powder soft white sand and translucent waters. The town’s attractive promenade leads down to the fishing port and yachting marina which comes alive on market day when fish auctions take place in the splendid Modernista market building.
Sant Pol de Mar is another popular coastal town, with a historic centre with narrow, winding lanes and appealing beaches framed by green hills.
Beaches
Beaches in the Maresme area (over 50 of them) range from tiny bays to family-friendly broad stretches of golden sand, with play areas and activities.
Popular beaches include Caldetes, just a hop from Caldes d’Estrac railway station, and the Blue Flag Playa de Llevante. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, choose from a selection of beaches that are only accessible on foot, such as Playa de les Roques where crystal clear waters lap the shoreline in tiny rocky coves. ‘La Playa de los Pescadores’, close to Vilassar de Mar station, is a captivating little beach with clear, shallow water and gently bobbing fishing boats.
Outdoor lifestyle
Beaches are just part of the outdoor scene in the Maresme area. The region also features numerous marinas, sports clubs, golf clubs, and 4,000 hectares of protected Natural Parks. Other amenities include a large number of tennis and paddle tennis courts, and horse riding facilities.
Golf
Excellent golf facilities are a major draw to the area. Golf courses include the beautifully manicured F W Hawtree designed Llavaneras Golf Club with its colonial style clubhouse and sea-facing terrace, as well as the Vallromanes Golf Club, La Roca Golf and Sant Vincenc. Other clubs within easy reach include the Montanya Golf Club and the Real Club de Golf El Prat.
Cycling
Flagged by the Catalan Tourist Board as a tourist cycle destination, the region is ideal for bike lovers, with multiple routes to suit everyone, including more leisurely family trails. Mountain bikers should head for the 3 nature parks – the Parc del Montnegre i el Corredor, the Serralada Litoral and the Serralada de Marina.
Hiking
With 500km of slopes, trails and paths, walkers will find a great selection of routes suitable for everyone from families to more serious hikers.
Water sports
Several centres along the coast offer a range water sports and water-based activities, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing and parasailing, to adults and children.
Family and daily life in Maresme
The Maresme area is particularly well-suited to families, thanks to its relaxed pace of life, outdoor activities and proximity to Barcelona city centre. For families, beaches often take centre stage, both during the day and in early evening when the bars along the promenade are a lovely spot for lingering with a refreshing drink and tapas.
Shops
The area features a wide selection of retail opportunities, ranging from large shopping malls to markets and local shops.
Schools
A good selection of high quality local and international schools is available.
Attractions
Illa Fantasia is an aquatic park and fairground featuring over 70,000m² of family-friendly fun, with 22 slides, 3 pools, restaurants and picnic areas. Other family attractions include Marineland, a marine zoo and water park with slides and pools.
Restaurants
You’ll find an excellent assortment of restaurants, ranging from atmospheric cellars and farmhouses serving traditional dishes in rural locations, to several Michelin starred restaurants such as Sangiovese in Mataró, La Font in Canet de Mar and El Drac in Calella.
Gastronomy
Local gastronomy is partly influenced by the Maresme’s climate. Protected by the mountains from northerly winds, the region is famous for its strawberries from the Vallalta area, cherries from Arenys de Munt, peas, white beans and wild forest mushrooms.
Wine production is significant, dating back to the arrival of the Romans. The small town of Alella is responsible for some superb crisp, dry, floral-scented white wine – although reds and rosés also feature – produced by one of Spain’s first winemaking coops, and several smaller, privately owned wineries.
Unsurprisingly, the local diet is rich in fish and seafood so you can expect to find fish and vegetable stews. Shellfish aficionados should head to the principal fishing port at Arenys de Mar where squid, prawns and clams are on show at the daily fish auction.
Culture in the Maresme
Cultural life is strong in the Maresme. Visually, each of the region’s towns and villages have much to offer, with medieval buildings, a scattering of watchtowers and, of course, the magnificent heritage of Modernista architecture, specifically in Mataró, Canet de Mar and Alella.
There are also a large number of museums, including some fairly quirky ones such as the Can Marfà Knitwear Museum, housed within the Mataró Museum, and the Argentona Pitcher Museum which features more than 4,000 water containers.
Locals enjoy a year-round calendar of festivals and cultural activities including the summer Festival de Música Clàssica de Santa Florentina, jazz festivals, Modernist Market Fair and the Festa de la Verema grape harvest festival in Alella.
Buying property in the Maresme
The Maresme is now one of the most sought-after residential areas amongst buyers and investors, both in Spain and abroad. The most exclusive properties are developments situated around 4-6km away from the sea where the air tends to be drier and the views at their most spectacular.
Average house prices
The average price of property in the area is around €860,000 or €2,590 per m².
Real estate availability
Property availability in Maresme is good and buying in the area remains a strong investment. Choose from a range of upmarket real estate in exclusive locations such as Alella, Teià and Sant Andreu de Llavaneres or more affordable options in areas such as Tordera. Other locations with good availability include Cabrils, Montcabrer and La Llobera.
Work opportunities
While most local employment is in the hospitality sector, there’s a wider choice of work opportunities in easily accessible Barcelona city centre.