Located in Barcelona province, this Catalan town has grown from a farming village into a residential area with medieval monasteries, hilltop views, and active squares lined with cafes.
Sant Cugat del Vallès sits 20 kilometers north of Barcelona, easily reached by metro. Start at the 9th-century Monastery of Sant Cugat to see stone carvings in its cloister, then head to Mercantic’s antiques market in a converted textile factory. Ride a bike along 33 kilometers of car-free paths or walk through oak forests in Collserola Natural Park. Check concert schedules at the Teatre-Auditori, a glass-walled venue hosting symphonies and plays. Try escudella stew at local restaurants, often made with vegetables from farms near the town. Direct trains connect to Barcelona in 25 minutes, letting you switch between city sightseeing and relaxed suburban streets.
Exploring the 9th-Century Benedictine Monastery
Start at the Benedictine Monastery, built over 200 years starting in the 9th century. Look closely at the 144 stone carvings in the cloister—each column top shows different scenes, from Bible stories to dragons. Climb the bell tower, which was once a Muslim minaret before the monastery expanded. The on-site museum displays tools used by medieval stonemasons and documents about land disputes between monks and local farmers. Download the free audio guide to hear how monks lived here until 1835, including recordings of Gregorian chants reconstructed from old manuscripts.
Modernist Buildings and Cultural Venues
Early 20th-century factories and wineries left bold architectural marks. Casa Aymat, a brick mansion from 1904, has curling iron balconies and stained-glass windows showing grapevines—today it holds a textile museum with 18th-century tapestries. The former El Celler winery, designed by Gaudí’s student Cèsar Martinell, uses brick arches to support its roof without columns. Visit the Teatre-Auditori on a Saturday night for flamenco shows or indie film screenings. In the monastery’s cellar vaults, the Marilyn Monroe Museum displays her passport, handwritten notes, and the red dress she wore in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Shopping and Markets
Mercantic’s weekend antiques market fills a red-brick factory with stalls selling typewriters, 1960s toys, and handmade tiles. Arrive before noon to buy fresh pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) from food trucks parked near the entrance. The Mercat Vell, a metal-framed hall from 1911, sells local honey, wild mushrooms, and Thai street food from a family-run stall. Browse El Siglo bookstore’s collection of Catalan poetry and graphic novels, then join a free reading group in their garden. For new items, walk along Carrer de Berenguer III to find shops selling leather bags and dark chocolate bars with sea salt.
Green Spaces and Trails
Over half the town’s area consists of parks and protected forests. Parc Central has a pond with ducks, exercise stations, and a shaded picnic area with stone tables. In Torre Negra park, find the Pi d’en Xandri pine—a 23-meter tree protected by steel cables after someone tried to cut it down in the 1990s. Hike the 5-kilometer Sant Medir trail to a small stone chapel, passing holm oaks and rockroses. Book a horseback ride at Can Caldés farm to cross streams and Roman-era bridges. The CAR sports center, built for Olympic training, lets visitors swim in 50-meter pools or play tennis on clay courts.
Festivals and Community Events
Join the sardana dance in Plaça Octavià every Sunday morning—locals will teach you the steps as a live band plays woodwind instruments. During the September Festa Major, watch teams build human towers six levels high next to the monastery. On March 3rd, follow hikers carrying bread and wine to the Sant Medir chapel for a sunrise blessing. The December Fira de Sant Tomàs fills the streets with stalls selling wool blankets, roasted chestnuts, and wooden toys. For evening entertainment, the Teatre-Auditori schedules Catalan-language comedies and classical music concerts in the monastery’s chapel.
Getting Around and Visitor Tips
Take the S1 or S2 train from Barcelona’s Plaça Catalunya—they leave every 8 minutes until midnight. Free parking lots near Mercantic and the sports complex have space for 300 cars. Rent bikes from Biciclot near the station to reach Collserola’s trails in 15 minutes. Most museums charge €4 for adults, with half-price tickets for students and seniors over 65. Grab a free Modernist architecture map from the tourist office to locate 20 buildings, including Casa Aymat and El Celler. Avoid visiting on Monday mornings when many shops and museums close.
