This coastal town 17km from Barcelona has a 2.5km sandy beach, Roman ruins, and a nautical museum displaying ancient amphorae. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood near the 500-slip marina.
El Masnou sits 17 kilometers northeast of Barcelona along the coast. The port area has seafood restaurants serving dishes like grilled sardines, and Ocata Beach extends 2.5 kilometers with soft sand. Visit the El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum to see Roman amphorae or explore the excavated foundations of a 2nd-century villa at Cal Ros de les Cabres. Trains run directly to Barcelona, and events like the July Ple de Riure circus festival add energy without overwhelming the town’s everyday rhythm.
Historical Buildings and Town Growth
El Masnou became independent from nearby towns in 1825, shaping its development into a coastal community. The neoclassical town hall on Plaça de la Vila, finished in 1883, still hosts government meetings. Casa del Marquès del Masnou, constructed in 1902, displays curved iron balconies and stained-glass windows typical of modernist design. Can Xala, a red-brick textile factory from the 1800s, now holds art exhibitions and workshops. The 18th-century Church of Sant Pere rises above cobblestone streets lined with houses built by Catalan fishermen.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
Ocata Beach has soft sand and gentle slopes into the sea, ideal for children. Volleyball nets are set up near the showers. Kitesurfers often gather at the eastern end when winds pick up in autumn. The marina contains over 500 boat slips and a walkway with bars serving tapas like anchovy-stuffed olives. A paved trail starts at the port and continues north for 3 kilometers to Premià de Mar, passing small coves where locals fish for sea bream.
Museums and Historical Sites
The El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum exhibits shipbuilding tools, Roman trade maps, and a replica of a 19th-century fishing boat. Two blocks inland, the Museu Cusí de Farmàcia displays glass medicine bottles and surgical instruments from the 1800s. At Cal Ros de les Cabres, stone walls and mosaic fragments mark where a Roman villa once stood. The town’s ceramic collection includes medieval jugs found during road construction in 1998. Follow the self-guided “El Masnou, Terra de Mar” route to see landmarks like Finca Bellresguard, a house with tropical gardens planted by a 19th-century merchant.
Festivals and Community Events
On June 29th, the Festa Major de Sant Pere fills streets with drummers, fireworks, and teams forming human towers up to six levels high. The Ple de Riure festival in early July brings jugglers and magicians to perform near the port. Every third Sunday, farmers from Alella sell organic honey and strawberries at the Mercat de la Pagesia. In December, over 1,200 women participate in the Sant Silvestre race along the waterfront promenade. April weekends see groups dancing the sardana in circles outside the church, accompanied by flutes and brass instruments.
Food and Restaurants
Seafood restaurants along the waterfront prepare dishes like suquet de peix with monkfish and prawns caught daily. At Tresmacarrons Vermut, try their signature drink mixed with local herbs, paired with pickled mussels. La Santa restaurant updates classic paella by adding squid ink and serving it with garlic mayonnaise. Bakeries such as Forn de Can Portella bake coca de vidre pastries every morning using a recipe from the 1700s. Winter menus highlight grilled calçots with romesco sauce, while summer dishes focus on roasted eggplant and peppers.
Transportation and Nearby Visits
Trains from El Masnou station reach Barcelona Sants in 22 minutes, with departures every 10 minutes during morning commutes. Bus 905 runs to Teià, where marked trails lead through pine forests to hilltop viewpoints. Consider visiting Alella’s vineyards for wine tastings or hiking Montseny Natural Park’s trails to spot wild boar and oak forests. The Bicing bike-share system has stations in El Masnou and Montgat for coastal rides without needing a car.
