This Mediterranean port city in Catalonia has grown into a regional economic hub, with major company headquarters and an active fishing industry along its coast.
Step into Roman ruins at Torre Llauder, examine stained-glass windows at Casa Coll i Regàs, or swim along reefs organized by Blaumar Diving Center. Mataró sits 30 kilometers northeast of Barcelona, mixing industrial activity with Mediterranean calm along Spain’s Maresme coast. Walk through the 15th-century Basilica of Santa Maria to see Gothic altarpieces, then visit Nau Gaudí—Antoni Gaudí’s first building—now hosting rotating art exhibits. Each July, the Festa Major de Les Santes fills streets with parades of giant papier-mâché figures and nighttime fire runs. Follow the Passeig Marítim past seafood restaurants like Can Dimas, where terraces face sailboats bobbing near the marina.
Roman and Medieval Sites
Mataró began as the Roman town of Iluro in the first century BC. At Torre Llauder, walk across original mosaic floors and see bathing rooms from a wealthy villa. The Basilica of Santa Maria reveals Gothic stonework from the 1400s, though its striped facade was added during 19th-century renovations. Look for sections of the old defensive walls near Plaça Santa Anna, built to protect against pirate raids. The Regional Museum of Maresme keeps Roman coins, medieval tools, and 1800s textiles inside a Renaissance-era building.
Modernist Buildings and Architecture
Architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch designed Casa Coll i Regàs, where stone carvings of flowers and insects frame the entrance. The red-brick town hall, Ajuntament de Mataró, includes Gothic arches and a Baroque-style clock tower. Nau Gaudí, Antoni Gaudí’s first project, now houses temporary art shows in its arched brick hall. Along La Riera street, 19th-century shops display curved glass windows and wrought-iron balconies. Don’t miss the tiled facade of Casa Sisternes, decorated with geometric patterns typical of Catalan modernism.
Beaches and Water Activities
Platja del Varador stretches 500 meters with soft sand and gentle waves, patrolled by lifeguards from June to September. Rent a kayak at the marina or join Blaumar Diving Center’s snorkeling trips to rocky coves east of the city. The Passeig Marítim curves past ice cream stands and paella restaurants, ending at a viewpoint overlooking fishing boats. Summer brings pop-up bars with live music on weekends, and night markets selling handmade jewelry. Showers and shaded benches line the promenade, which stays lit until 2 AM during peak season.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
From July 24 to 27, the Festa Major de Les Santes parades giants and dragons through crowds, accompanied by gralla flute bands. In February, Carnival transforms the city with costume contests and satirical street performances. On June 23, Saint John’s Eve bonfires light the beach, followed by midnight fireworks over the water. Visit Plaza Santa Anna in May for the Mercat de Sant Ponç, where vendors sell lavender sachets, local honey, and herbal remedies. The International Dance Festival in April uses public squares for free performances, from flamenco to hip-hop.
Museums and Local History
The Can Marfà Knitwear Museum explains how 19th-century steam machines revolutionized textile production, with working looms demonstrated on weekends. At the Roman Villa of Can Llauder, guides describe ancient heating systems beneath the mosaic floors. Nau Gaudí rotates exhibits by Catalan sculptors and photographers, often focusing on maritime themes. Near the train station, a replica of Spain’s first locomotive marks where the Barcelona-Mataró line opened in 1848. Check the city’s website for workshops on traditional sardana dancing or Roman cooking techniques.
Nearby Destinations and Day Trips
Take the R1 train from Mataró to Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf station in 40 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes. Drive 15 minutes inland to Serralada Litoral Natural Park, where hiking trails pass abandoned farmhouses and WWII bunkers. In Argentona, 5 kilometers west, drink mineral water from the 18th-century Font del Ferro spring surrounded by pine forests. Alella’s vineyards, 20 minutes south, give tastings of crisp white wines made from local pansa blanca grapes. Buses leave hourly from Plaça de Cuba to coastal towns like Caldetes, known for its thermal baths.
Transportation and Access
Fly into Barcelona El Prat Airport, then take the R2 Nord train to Mataró’s station in 1 hour 10 minutes. From Barcelona’s Plaça Catalunya, R1 trains run directly to Mataró for €4.50. If driving, exit the C-32 highway at Mataró Nord for quick access to parking garages near the beach. Buses operated by Sagalés connect to neighboring towns, with timetables posted at the main station. Rent bicycles at shops along Carrer de Sant Josep to explore the flat coastal bike path to Premià de Mar.
