Costa Maresme Things To Do: Best Selected for You
The east coast of Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea, comprises several regions known collectively as the “costas”. We have listed below the names of the coastlines (“costas”) from north to south, all the way down to the border with Portugal:
Costa Brava
Costa Maresme
Costa del Garraf
Costa Dorada
Costa del Azahar
Costa de Valencia
Costa Blanca
Costa Almeria
Costa Tropical
Costa del Sol
Costa de la Luz
You may notice that we have listed the Costa Brava and the Costa Maresme separately. The Costa Maresme region, with its villages including Calella, Pineda de Mar and Malgrat de Mar, is often considered a part of the Costa Brava, but this is not the case. The Costa Maresme starts at Malgrat de Mar and finishes at Barcelona.
Tourists from all over the world flock to the Costa Maresme every year. What explains the popularity of this coast? The pleasant weather draws many visitors. Moreover, there is plenty to see and do in this region that is rich in history, art and culture. The Costa Maresme is not only a favourite destination for visitors who just want to relax, but also for anyone in search of a more active holiday. They can go for a hike, take part in sports activities, immerse themselves in local history and discover the architectural heritage of this region.
Pleasant temperatures all the year around paired with low rainfall in summer make the Costa Maresme an ideal destination for sun seekers who enjoy the sea and the beach. In addition, thanks to the region’s mild climate, you can explore its art and cultural treasures dotted around the many idyllic villages or enjoy the beauty of the countryside without suffering from extreme temperatures.
And don’t forget about winter sports! Many other places are within easy reach of the Costa Maresme. Explore the coast or go skiing in Andorra, Molina or Masella.
A great starting point for visiting Barcelona
Even though Barcelona is not on the Costa Maresme, we highly recommend you spend a day in this famous city. Coincidentally, the Costa Maresme is located in the Spanish province that is called… Barcelona. So yes, it’s true: Barcelona is only a few kilometres away!
Whatever you’re looking for, you will find it here on the Costa Maresme! There are plenty of reasons to relax in one of our villas with private pool. Choose one of our villas located inland with its splendid views of the peaks of the Pyrenees as well as the Mediterranean. If you prefer to stay near the sea, we have other types of accommodation on the coast.
All the different ingredients for a perfect holiday are there: the beach, nature and culture. The area is also ideal for winter sports.
The coastline has many wide, sandy beaches with fine or coarse sand that offer a range of activities for visitors. More and more tourists are finding their way to the Costa Maresme every year. It is now popular with families, couples and groups of young people who come here to enjoy the beaches, the nature and the culture of this region. You can now spend an unforgettable holiday on the Costa Maresme whatever the season.
Your villa on the Costa Maresme
Useful information
General
Location of the Costa Maresme: on the north-east of the Spanish coast, in the province of Barcelona in the autonomous region of Catalonia.
Time zone: GMT +1 in winter, GMT +2 in summer.
Languages: Catalan and Spanish. Road signs are written in both languages.
Currency: euro
How to pay
Passport/identity card: You may need these documents to withdraw money from an ATM or when you pay using your credit card.
Travellers cheques: these are not widely accepted. However, there are many ATMs provided by Amex, Diners Club, Euro/MasterCard, Visa, Europas and Giropas.
Electrical current
220 volts
Climate
The north-eastern part of the coast enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. In other words, it has hot summers with relatively mild winters. Rain falls mainly in the spring and the autumn. Yearly rainfall averages 400 mm and don’t forget, the sun shines for almost 3,000 hours every year! It should come as no surprise that so many people spend their holidays here. The only weather phenomenon that may bother you is the northern wind, which feels cold and may bring rain with it, but actually often provides welcome relief during the hot summer months. All in all, the Costa Maresme has something for everyone. If you are keen on winter sports you are never far away from a dedicated winter sports centre. In spring, the temperature varies between 21 and 25 degrees, but in summer it can reach 28 or even 32 degrees. The average November temperature is 16 degrees.
Tap water
Although the tap water here is certified as suitable for drinking, it may taste of chlorine. You may prefer to drink bottled water.
Emergencies
112 Emergency services
092 Local police (Policía Local)
061 Ambulance or medical emergencies
Opening hours
Stores and shopping centres are open from 10:00 until 20:30 or 21:30.
Small shops are generally open between 10:00 and 14:00 and again from 16:30 to 20:30 or 21:30. They close during the ‘siesta’, the times of which may vary.
Banks: open on weekdays days from 09:00 to 14:00. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00.
Travel advice
You can expect the weather to be fine from May until October. It gets crowded in peak season (June – August) when temperatures are at their highest.
Sales
The winter sales start in the second week of January. In summer, the sales are on from 1 July. The sales generally last for a month.
Public transport on the Costa Maresme
To and from Barcelona Airport (El Prat) and Girona Airport
On arrival at Barcelona Airport (El Prat), you can take the Aero Bus (1 or 2) or the train into Barcelona city centre. From Plaça Catalunya (in the centre of the city) you can travel to other locations on the Costa Maresme by train or bus. From Girona Airport, there is a direct bus service to the various villages of the Costa Maresme. Click here for further information.
Just like Barcelona Airport (El Prat), Gerona Airport also has bus and train links to the coastal villages. Up-to-date information on schedules and the various stations is available on the website of the Spanish railways: RENFE.
In addition to public transport, other options include using a taxi, booking your transport in advance or hiring a car. The latter can be done online in advance or on arrival at the airport.
Boat trips
It’s always interesting to visit other places on the coast. If you fancy a boat trip, take the Dofi Jet. It will take you to other destinations up and down the coast (the Costa Maresme as well as the Costa Brava). These boats usually run from April to October depending on the weather.
Take the bike
The coastal region is relatively flat, which makes it easy to explore its villages by bicycle. Catch the rays of sunshine and enjoy the mild breeze; what more could you possibly want? In recent years, large investments have been made to upgrade the cycle tracks in the area. If you’d rather go off the beaten track, discover unspoilt nature on a rugged mountain bike.
Public transport
Two trains per hour skirt the eastern shores of the Costa Maresme. They will take you all the way down to the beautiful city of Barcelona. The train stops frequently en route, and reaches 90% of the coastal villages. Another excellent reason to want to visit Barcelona!
There are also regular bus routes that connect the coastal resorts with the big cities. So, if you want to spend the day in Barcelona, you can choose between the train and the Barcelonabus.
How to buy a ticket
You can choose from a wide range of public transport tickets. Prices depend on how often you want to use public transport to travel around Barcelona province. The tickets most commonly used are T-10 (10 trips per ticket), T-día (a one-day ticket, also available for 2, 3, 4 or 5 hours), T-mes (valid for a month) and T-50/30 (50 trips within 30 days). There is plenty of choice; pick the one that suits you best.
Taxi
Taxis have been around for centuries and are still a comfortable means of getting around. You don’t depend on stops or fixed schedules. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of your trip, we recommend that you find out how much your journey will cost before getting into the taxi. Bear in mind that the price also depends on the occasion or the day of the week. If you have luggage, the cost is likely to increase, and different prices may apply if you are going to the airport.
The tourist train
A number of tourist villages, Pineda de Mar, Santa Susanna and Malgrat de Mar for example, have a tiny tourist train that takes you to points of interest for visitors. This little train goes by different names: it can be called ‘el Cuc’ or ‘Xino-Xano’. En route, you can hop on and off depending on the type of ticket you have bought. The mini-train is a very pleasant way to see the different villages. Find a seat, give your feet a rest and before you know it, you will have seen quite a few places. The perfect mode of transport for children and those who are less mobile.
The road network
Most roads on the Costa Maresme are well maintained. The N-II and/or the C-32 will take you pretty much anywhere. Are you taking the car or would you rather hire a scooter? No problem, in most of the villages on the Costa Maresme you can hire a car, motorbike, scooter or even a quad bike.
You have to pay tolls on the motorway from France all the way to Alicante (via Barcelona, Castellón and Valencia).
Traffic rules and regulations
You probably already know that the traffic rules are generally the same as those in other large European cities. Nevertheless, pay attention to the road signs, especially those that warn you of the maximum speed, as there are quite a few speed cameras that can ‘flash’ you. You have to be especially careful in the city of Barcelona, as you will have scooters, motorbikes and bicycles coming at you from all sides. It is said that Barcelona has one of the highest numbers of vehicles per inhabitant in all of Europe. This means that the traffic in Barcelona is always busy, with a proliferation of traffic lights and lots of noise pollution. Above all, don’t be surprised if drivers turn left or right without indicating. If you are behind the wheel, you need to make sure you look around carefully and in all directions before you make a move. And, just like everywhere else in Europe, you are not allowed to use your mobile when driving.
Additional information on hiring cars, scooters and motorbikes
Apart from the usual traffic rules, each rental agency has its own policies and procedures. Most of these conditions stipulate that the person hiring the car must be at least 23 years old, must have had a driving licence for at least three years and has to settle the bill by credit card.
If you hire a scooter, don’t be surprised if the company keeps your ID card for the duration of your rental. And don’t forget to take out the necessary insurance!
Tourist Offices
Enjoy Spanish life to the full. Take a stroll down the road and discover hidden corners. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to find out the exact location of this particular place you have in mind, or maybe there is far more to see and do than you thought. The Tourist Office is there for you and happy to help you get the best out of your stay. In Spain, the Tourist Office is called ‘Oficina de Turismo’. It will tell you whatever you want to know about the area you are staying in. Each popular village has its own Tourist Office, signposted by the letter ‘i’.
Just a few things to bear in mind
Clothing
Unfortunately, predicting the weather is not an exact science, and every day may have a surprise in store. In summertime, the temperatures can soar. A bit of fresh air can be very pleasant and you may want to wear light clothing, but we recommend that you dress to suit the place and the occasion. For example, you won’t wear a bathing suit to go shopping.
The temperature is pleasant during the day, but the nights can be cold.
In high season you need light clothing, but if you visit in spring or autumn you won’t regret bringing a coat or jacket. Appearances can be deceptive. During the day the weather is usually fine, with temperatures around 20 degrees, but it will be colder in the evenings, with the thermometer falling to 8 degrees or even lower.
Tips for an enjoyable holiday on the Costa Maresme
There is so much to see and do when you’re on holiday. As a rule, you go on holiday to relax, forget about your daily routine and regain your optimistic outlook on life. The Costa Maresme is the ideal destination to do all that. Many people consider Barcelona one of the most important cities in Europe. If you are going to Spain, you simply have to visit this metropolis with all its different facets. Like any other large city, it offers a wide range of accommodation. However, if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet and are keen on exploring the surrounding area, we would recommend that you rent one of our splendid villas on the Costa Maresme.
Let yourself be amazed and visit the Costa Maresme!
The villages of the Costa Maresme
As it is sometimes hard to say which village is on which coast, we have been in touch with the ‘Oficina de Turismo de Catalunya’ (Catalonia Tourist Office) in Barcelona, which provides information on Catalonia and Spain.
The following 30 villages form part of the Costa Maresme:
Alella
Areny de Mar Arenys de Munt Argentona Cabrera de Mar Cabrils Caldes d’Estrac Calella Canet de Mar Dosrius |
Malgrat de Mar
El Masnou Mataró Montgat Òrrius Palafolls Pineda de Mar Premià de Dalt Premià de Mar Sant Andreu de Llavaneres |
Sant Cebrià de Vallalta
Sant Iscle de Vallalta Sant Pol de Mar Sant Vicenç de Montalt Santa Susanna Teià Tiana Tordera Vilassar de Dalt Vilassar de Mar |
As you can see, Barcelona is outside the Costa Maresme, but the Costa is so close to this magnificent city that you simply have to add it to your list of places to visit. Spend a day in Barcelona and relax after your visit to Park Güell and Camp Nou, after a spot of shopping in the Paseo de Gracia or a visit to the ‘Ice Bar’. The ideal moment for refreshments or to soak up the sun on the beach. Find out more about Barcelona.
Each to their own. Fortunately the Costa Maresme is very versatile and there is always something to do, whatever it is you are looking for. Enjoy your holiday with the peaks of the Pyrenees as a backdrop. On the Catalan side, they reach a height of almost 3.5 km!
Shops and markets
Shops
Generally, in the summer season, each village will have a range of tourist shops which are open from early in the morning till late at night.
Is shopping your favourite sport? There are several large shopping centres in the area, Mataró Park and La Roca Village to name but two, where you will feel as though you’ve gone to heaven!
Markets
Fruit, vegetables and non-food items:
Monday | Arenys de Munt, Teià |
Tuesday | Cabrera de Mar, Cabrils, El Masnou, Premià de Dalt, Santa Susanna |
Wednesday | Calella, Canet de Mar, Montgat, Pineda de Mar, Vilassar de Dalt |
Thursday | Malgrat de Mar, Premià de Mar, Sant Iscle de Vallalta, Sant Vicenç de Montalt, Tiana, Vilassar de Mar |
Friday | Aella, Argentona, Caldes d’Estrac, Pineda de Mar, Sant Andreu de Llavaneras, Sant Pol de Mar |
Saturday | Arenys de Mar, Calella, Mataró, Orrius, Palafolls, Sant Cebrià de Vallalta |
Sunday | Dosrius, Tordera |
Tips for an enjoyable stay on the Costa Maresme
Art, nature and culture
Do you appreciate Art Nouveau architecture and the style of the early 20th century? We recommend a visit to Canet de Mar, Mataró or Argentona where you can admire modernist buildings designed by famous architects such as Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadalfach. The Costa Maresme boasts a rich variety of art. Take Sant Pol de Mar, a village that is home to some truly impressive buildings. Stroll down Carrer Nou, Cases de Cos or Abat Deas and step back into history. Although the villages are small, around every corner you will discover another little gem from times gone by. We recommend the Passatge del Mar (at the seafront), the railway tunnel from Sant Pol de Mar to Barcelona and the town council building, but there are many more. If you prefer baroque, make your way to Arenys de Mar and visit its church of Santa Maria. Not in the baroque style – far from it, in fact – but well worth a visit are the former Xifre hospital and the museum dedicated to Frederic Marès de la Punta. Would you like to see a work by Gaudí, the architect who has made Barcelona so famous? Don’t forget to visit the church of Sant Feliu, a Gothic building with touches of the Renaissance which is home to a portrait of Christ created by Antoni Gaudí.
The central point of the Costa Maresme is Mataró with its rich cultural heritage. Admire the Roman baths, built in the first century BC, or the small Basilica of the Virgin Mary. In and around the town you will also find several buildings designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. To find out more about the historic past of this town, you can book a tour with audio guide. You can collect the device and an itinerary from the Mataró Tourist Office.
The Spanish like their wine! At a sit-down lunch, at the siesta, as an aperitif with tapas or simply when watching the sun set from an outdoor terrace with plenty of ambiance. In the town of Alella, wine takes centre stage. Enjoy a quality bottle of Alella wine or take a look at the museum and wine cellars. Discover the history of wine making in Alella and see how wine and Cava are produced in this town.
Would you like to go for a walk, take a bike ride or just relax? Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the Montnegre–Corredor nature park is abundant with vegetation typical of the area: pine trees, beech trees and silver birches. There is nothing like this part of the Montalt region. If you want to know why, just climb this magnificent hill to enjoy the splendid views. However, if you prefer to remain at the foot of the hill, the views are equally impressive.
Malgrat de Mar is the most northerly village on the Costa Maresme. It is situated on the coast road and along the railway line with trains to Barcelona (to the South) and Blanes – Maçanet (to the North). It is a charming coastal village, perfect for enjoying the sun, the sea and the beach. The centre of Malgrat de Mar offers plenty of interest: narrow alleyways, the church of Sant Nicolau, the ‘Peixateries Velles’ or old fish market, and the ‘la Cooperativa’ building, which is now a library.
If modern buildings are more to your taste, take a look at the town hall, called ‘L’Ajuntament’. The old centre of Malgrat de Mar is dominated by ‘el Castell’ with its panoramic views of the magnificent countryside and the coast. From Calella you can walk all the way to the Parc Dalmau. Designed in 1928 by Jeroni Martorell, this park has beautiful gardens and aromatic pine trees. You will love it here. To appreciate the beautiful nature of this region even more, visit the Parc de la Serralada Litoral, situated between the Besós River and the lake of Argentona. Relax and enjoy its beautiful landscape, extending over more than 4,500 hectares.
Montserrat is a mountain range not far from Barcelona (approx. 60 km). A destination of great interest thanks to the magnificent nature paired with the religious importance of this area.
The list of things to see and do is endless but here are some suggestions:
– The En Pau caves at La Granota;
– The defensive towers of El Masnou dating back to the 13th century;
– The Alta Alella vineyard, covering 3.3 hectares, which produces wine and Cava from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes;
– Parc Misericordia (Canet de Mar), with play areas and lovely botanical gardens.
The Costa Maresme is a centre for theatrical arts. You will notice that the players are totally dedicated to their performance. Visit the Teatre Monumental in Mataró to enjoy artistic dancing in all its various forms. The cinema is another option for evening entertainment, but bear in mind that most films are dubbed into Spanish. Nevertheless, it’s always interesting to go and see a film in Spanish. Most of the villages on the Costa Maresme boast a cinema: these include Arenys de Mar, Calella, Canet de Mar, El Masnou, Mataró and Pineda de Mar.
The beaches of the Costa Maresme
The beaches of the Costa Maresme are generally well equipped and offer a range of services. You can hire sun loungers or beach umbrellas. Facilities include car parking and lifeguards on the beach.
Most of these beaches are designated Quality beaches, indicated by a ‘Q’. The highest-quality beaches fly the blue flag. This accolade has been awarded to the following beaches on the Costa Maresme: Sant Vicenç de Montalt, Sant Pol de Mar, Santa Susanna, Pineda de Mar, Calella, Canet de Mar, Mataró, El Masnou and Caldes d’Estrac.
Wherever you go, make sure you take heed of the warning signs displayed on all beaches and of the flag that indicates whether the waters are safe (green, yellow/orange or red).
Altogether, the Costa Maresme has 42 beaches with fine sand. Topless sunbathing is allowed along the entire coast.
Are you on holiday with your children and looking for somewhere to keep them entertained? In high season, there are mini-clubs on the beaches of Santa Susanna, Calella, Malgrat de Mar and Arenys de Mar, that organise activities and entertainment for children.
A list of the main beaches on the Costa Maresme:
Malgrat de Mar
– Platja Malgrat Nord/Playa Malgrat Norte: 2,270 m long, 50 m wide, with bar, showers, tents, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire.
– Platja Malgrat Sud/Playa Malgrat Sur: 1,880 m long, 35 m wide, with bars, showers, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire. Wheelchair access available.
Santa Susanna
– Santa Susanna: 2,420 m long, 35 m wide, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire, wheelchair access, showers, water sports and bars.
Pineda de Mar
– Pineda de Mar: 2,910 m long, wheelchair access.
Calella
– Playa Garbí: 814 m long, 65 m wide, wheelchair access, bar, beach umbrellas, sun loungers for hire, showers.
– Platja Les Roques/Playa Las Rocas: 750 m long, 34 m wide, ideal fishing spot, nudity accepted in certain parts (not official), sun loungers for hire, showers.
– Platja Gran/Playa Grande: 1,403 m long, 50 m wide, wheelchair access, bars, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire.
Other beaches include:
Arenys de Mar
– La Musclera: 750 m long, 80 m wide, wheelchair access, sun loungers and beach umbrellas for hire, showers, nudism allowed.
– Playa El Cavaió: 800 m long, 70 m wide, various services, bar, sun loungers and beach umbrellas for hire, showers.
– La Playa Picòrdia: 870 m long, 20 m wide, with beach umbrellas and showers, nudism allowed.
– Primera Platja/Primera Playa/Platja de Ponent: 230 m long, 80 m wide, wheelchair access, showers and beach umbrellas.
Cabrera de Mar
– Playa Cabrera de Mar: 1,000 m long, 10 m wide, wheelchair access and showers.
Canet de Mar
– Playa Canet: 1,650 m long, 37 m wide, long promenade with palm trees, bar, beach umbrellas for hire, showers.
– Playa El Cavaió: 500 m long, 37 m wide, umbrellas for hire, showers, wheelchair access.
El Masnou
– Playa d’Ocata: 1,250 m long, 60 m wide, wheelchair access, sun loungers and beach umbrellas for hire, showers.
– Playa Alella: 750 m long, 35 m wide, beach umbrellas for hire, showers. In high season, this beach has a Red Cross post.
– Platja de Ponent: Nudist beach.
Mataró
– Playa El Callao: 250 m long, 45 m wide, beach umbrellas for hire, showers, wheelchair access.
– Playa El Varador/El Varadero: 750 m long, 45 m wide, beach umbrellas, showers, wheelchair access.
– Platja de Sant Simó/Playa de Sant Simó: 1,400 m long, 30 m wide, beach umbrellas for hire, wheelchair access and showers.
Montgat
– Playa Montgat: 500 m long, 100 m wide, good for surfing and rock fishing, has a bar, sun loungers and beach umbrellas for hire.
– Monsolís: 660 m long, 60 m wide, beach umbrellas for hire.
– Baños Montgat: 140 m long, 33 m wide, showers and wheelchair access.
Premia de Mar
– Playa de Ponent: 350 m long, surfing facilities, dedicated nudist area.
– Playa de l’Os
Sant Pol de Mar
– Playa de la Murtra
– Playa del Refugi: dedicated nudist area, changing booths, toilets, car parking and showers.
The ports of the Costa Maresme
The Costa Maresme can boast many ports. Unfortunately, most of these are no longer used for fishing but have instead turned into havens for small vessels as well as their larger, more spectacular cousins. You can also go on a fishing trip. Trout is particularly abundant in the area. If you want to try something different, the rivers of the Pyrenees provide an excellent opportunity for freshwater fishing. Please note that a fishing permit is required.
Below are the ports of the Costa Maresme (from north to south):
– Arenys de Mar
At the port of Arenys de Mar, you can moor your boat or practise various forms of water sports. You can use your own boat or join in with the activities organised by the Club Nautic (located in the centre of the port). If you want to make a boat trip or go fishing for the day, you have come to the right place. If you have taken your own boat and, all of a sudden, are faced with a technical issue, don’t worry. Varador 2000 will solve your problem quickly and efficiently.
– Sant Andreu de Llavaneres
The size of a port doesn’t matter: Sant Andreu Llavaneres, for example, is a relatively small harbour that is extremely well maintained. There is plenty happening here. Boats are bought and sold at Milla Nautica. Want to keep abreast of the latest in nautical technology? Pop into Travinautic and prepare to be amazed!
There are also plenty of restaurants around the port, where you can have a quiet drink or a bite to eat. You could even hire a boat from Motyvel Yacht Charters.
– Mataró
Like many other places on the Spanish coast, the village of Mataró has a port that offers boat hire, repair services and short-term and long-term mooring. Around the harbour, you will find plenty of restaurants offering excellent cuisine.
– Premià de Mar
Premià de Mar is located between Barcelona and Mataró. It has a small port with low fees, which makes it a practical option for mooring your boat.
– El Masnou
The port of El Masnou is larger than the others. It has over 1,000 mooring points for vessels up to 22 metres long. Most of the berths are for yachts, but 34 are reserved for fishing boats. Are you in the market to buy a vessel? El Masnou has the widest range in all of Spain. A destination not to be missed!
The village of Calella does not have a harbour, but its Nautical Club deserves a mention. It was privately founded on 23 August 1970 and is located on the beach, opposite the station and next to the Catalan Sailing Federation. Besides sailing, you can also go kayaking or windsurfing. The professional staff deliver service of the highest quality, and the sailboats come equipped with every modern convenience. Want more? You will find other activities here, such as fishing competitions where you fish from a boat, or you can sing and dance your heart out at the Havana Club. There are also some very popular board games, and you can even watch television if you like. Whatever you do, you won’t get bored! If all of this has tired you out, you can relax on the large outdoor terrace or have a barbecue in the picnic area.
Nightlife on the Costa Maresme
For the best nightlife with the liveliest atmosphere, go to Malgrat de Mar, Santa Susanna or Calella with their numerous bars, discos, clubs and lounges. Calella has been the number one tourist attraction on the Costa Maresme for many years and its nightlife still draws many revellers. The centre of Calella has no shortage of tapas bars and restaurants that are open until the early hours. Do you want to take a plunge into the local nightlife? The new part of Calella is the place to go.
Tourists from all over the world are having a great time. There are pubs and clubs with a Dutch flavour: Bar-Disco Bobs and Hans en Grietje. Soak up the British ambiance at Turisme 35, the Avenue, the Tunnel and the Western Saloon. People of many different nationalities visit the Costa Maresme, and you will find a good mix of them at the Alcatraz International Bar. If you want to go clubbing in retro style, we recommend dancing the night away at Disco Club Maui, Kauai Tiki Disco (with Jacuzzi) and sampling a cocktail at the Caribbean Fever Club.
Do you want to listen to music, work out and dance at the same time? The Caramba Beach Club offers an entertainment programme from early morning to late at night, water sports on the beach, brunch every day, an evening buffet and much more besides!
If you want to avoid all this hustle and bustle, go to Santa Susanna beach. Between Santa Susanna railway station and Pineda de Mar there are plenty of sporty outdoor activities that peak during the summer season.
If you want to go pubbing or clubbing somewhere different, make your way to Santa Susanna or Malgrat de Mar. You will find Dutch clubs like the Costa, the TMF Café and Asterisk as well as popular Spanish clubs, the QK, Tropicana, Opium and the Palm Beach to name but a few.
Needless to say, there are many more pubs, clubs and other venues to while the night away. We have listed only a few examples. Be amazed at the variety of nightly entertainment and remember: what happens on the Costa Maresme, stays on the Costa Maresme!
Recommended activities for children
Looking for a fun place for your children? Come to the Parc Francesc Macià on the Costa Maresme!
Spend time with your children. What else are holidays for? Have fun with your kids. There’s plenty to do when you’re exploring. We have listed venues where can you work off all that energy and relax when you need it:
Parc Francesc Macià (Malgrat de Mar): a playground covering 40,000 m2 with plenty of outdoor activities.
Dalmau Park (Calella), with 18,000 m2 of grass, trees and a variety of open-air games.
Misericordia Park (Canet de Mar): play areas and botanical gardens.
Who is the fastest? Who is the most agile? Have fun. Do whatever you like, but don’t do anything you don’t want to do.
Activ Natura Park at Santa Susanna: a woodland area.
Aventura Park (Mataró)
El Bosc Vertical woodland adventure park
Isla Fantasia, a water park on the Costa Maresme that also organises festivals and spectacular shows.
Jalpi Adventure Park, Arenys de Munt
Glide through the water like a fish:
Marineland in Palafolls, next to Malgrat de Mar
Isla Fantasia at Vilassar de Dalt
Does your child like to splash around in the water? He or she will love Club Nautico, a summer club on the coast of Vilassar de Mar. Port Aventura, not far from Salou, is another great place for kids with its many attractions including a water park!
Sports and action-packed activities
On the Costa Maresme you can practise all types of water sports.
Do you like to play sports, or are you more of an armchair watcher? Football is everywhere in Spain, but there is much more to do. On the east coast of Spain, an annual triathlon competition is held which consists of swimming, cycling and running.
As for water sports, opportunities for diving can be found all along the coast. There are several diving schools for learners or beginners, including Mataró Niman Sub, Manatee Diving, Blaumar, Mediterranean Dive Centre, Premià Sub and Subsiluet.
Imagine a summer afternoon. Wherever you look, beauty is all around you. You can feel a mild breeze and the heat of the sun on your face. Do you want to experience this holiday feeling? At Ranxo Mestres, you can go for a ride on a horse or a donkey.
Golf has grown in popularity in Spain over the past few years. Sant Vicenç de Montalt has an 18-hole golf course. This resort is ideal for a mini-break or just to practise your favourite sport in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by nature.
If the weather gets really cold, visit a spa to relax. We recommend the Caldes d’Estrac at the Hotel Colón Thalasso & Termal. Also try La Garrigue Blancafort, Termas Victoria at Caldes de Montbui, Silience Spa at Calella or Titus at Arenys de Mar.
Wi-Fi zones
Wi-Fi zones are found in a number of public spaces. Also, each town or village has a so-called “locutorio” where you can make calls, access the Internet, print or send a fax at rates that are generally quite reasonable.
Festivals and other events
Besides the official holidays and other events held in Spain and Catalonia, there are also local festivals to enjoy.
April: The ‘petits pois’ gastronomic weekend, featuring all sorts of delicious dishes made with peas.
11 May: San Poncio martyr (St Pontius) is a festival where the entire population of the village of Tordera congregates in the local chapel to enjoy a meal.
Third Sunday in July: the Festival of Minerva (Calella).
23 August: Correfoc Tordera.
Early September: Mountain bike tour around Sant Cebrià de Vallalta.
Last weekend in September: The largest festival in Sant Cebrià de Vallalta.
October: Puppet festival at Vilassar de Mar, known as Le Firobi.
The weekend before 30 November: The annual festival of Sant Andreu Llavaneres.
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