10 Best Things to Do This Summer in Costa del Maresme

Canet de Mar’s old quarter consists of cobblestoned streets and houses with colourful facades. Art-minded travellers will feel right at home in this coastal town, where Casa Roura instantly draws attention. This fantasy house, which has a fortress-like tower, is the work of Lluís Domènech I Montaner, who has a dedicated museum in town.

The Lluís Domènech I Montaner House-Museum is a fine example of the architects’ creativity, who designed the Modernist facade, all the art pieces and the interior. Nearby, Molí de la Timba is a former windmill and guard tower that’s worth stopping by, as well as a local beach with its palm trees and football pitch. Canet de Mar is one of the best villages to visit during summer in Costa del Maresme.

Illa Fantasia in Vilassar de Dalt has over 70,000 square metres worth of family-friendly slides, pools, restaurants, and picnic areas. The Mediterranean sun can be relentless at times, and what’s a better place to cool down than a waterpark? Daredevils can ride the Bitour slide with its steep falls and sharp turns, while younger kids can go down the 10-metre high Spiral slide or the Aquamania tubes.

In total, Illa Fantasia has 3 large outdoor swimming pools and 22 slides. Refuel your energy in the onsite restaurant, where burgers, pizza, and ice cream are served throughout the day. Alternatively, bring your own food to the waterpark’s picnic area.  

Castell de Santa Florentina had its roots in the 11th century when it was built to defend the Spanish coast from pirate attacks. Nowadays, this imposing fortress is open for guided tours with locals sharing its history. You’ll have a chance to explore the grand chambers and halls, as well as the courtyard behind the solid stone walls.

There are incredibly detailed ornaments, furniture, and stained glass within the splendid castle, all designed by local Modernist, Lluís Domènech I Montaner. Some of the highlights inside include the Banquet Room, King’s Room, and Throne Room. Guided tours and audio guides through this iconic heritage site are available in numerous languages.

Platja de la Musclera at Arenys de Mar is incredibly scenic, as it's surrounded by towering rock walls and hills that rise straight from the sea. This is one of the most popular beaches throughout the summer in Costa del Maresme. Some rocky outcrops even contain miniature beaches, ideal for a private family getaway. If you travel here by car, there's a dedicated parking space for beachgoers.

The waves of Platja de la Musclera are very calm, so this is an ideal spot for kids to swim or enjoy stand-up paddleboarding. A collection of modest restaurants provides beverages, snacks, and protection from the sweltering sun on the beach itself. Costa del Maresme is blessed with over 50 beaches, but Platja de la Musclera is simply more enchanting than others.

Alella is a lush village that overlooks both the Mediterranean Sea and the Coastal Mountain Range of Catalunya. Besides its spectacular scenery, Alella is loved for its wine estates and a regional white grape variety called Xarel-lo. Visit the family-run and organic Alta Alella Mirgin winery to dive into the village’s wine culture. You can follow a tour, learn about harvesting and processing, and taste some delectable wines and cava.

Bouquet d’ Alella is a small-scale winery with an open cellar door, where they organise winery tours and picnics in the vineyard. Bouquet d’ Alella even hosts a summer festival with open-air concerts and delightful wine and food pairings. 

Calella is one of the Costa del Maresme’s most popular settlements in the summer , thanks to the mixture of local restaurants, charming white-plastered houses, and historical buildings. Parc Dalmau is an excellent location to grab some fresh air under the pine trees, while you can go for a refreshing dive into the sea at Platja Gran. It’s worth walking away from the bustling town to see the Torretes de Calella, the ruins of 2 military towers dating back to 1848.

From here, you can overlook the coastline, Calella’s lighthouse, and the town’s beach in the deep. Visit the lighthouse for more stunning scenery, and to learn more about the maritime history of the traditional fishing village Calella once was.

The Massís de l’Ardenya is a mountain massif that’s part of the Catalan Coastal Range. This nature reserve is a playground for adventurous travellers, thanks to a network of walking and mountain biking tracks. Many routes up to the Mare de Deu de Gracia ruins and the enchanting Puig de les Cadiretes viewing platform start in the coastal town Tossa del Mar.

The Puig de les Cadiretes is the highest point in this mountain range, at 519 metres above sea level. In the summertime in the Massís de l’Ardenya area, you’re walking and riding past wonderful oak forests and low shrubs. A part of the famous GR92 walking route through the Costa del Brava also crosses this Catalonian mountain range.

Sant Martí de Montnegre, constructed in the 17th century, is enlisted on Catalunya’s cultural heritage list. From the settlement Font-Montnegre, you can ascend 467 metres above sea level to witness the serene monastery. What once was a fortress and fully operating abbey is now a clocktower as a reminder of more prosperous times.

Inside, a chapel with brilliant stone arches and medieval walls are visible. Stop for a while to take in the views of the pine forests and peaks of the distant Catalan Coastal Range. You can hike to some more stone churches and chapels around, such as the Sant Esteve d’Olzinelles and the Santa Maria del Montnegre. 

The 4.6-km Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the location of the annual Formula 1 and MotoGP races that attract massive crowds. Whether you’re a car fanatic or tourist, you can visit the circuit even when there's no racing taking place. Book a guided tour to soak up the racing atmosphere, and see the paddock, podium, the media room, and even the pit garage area.

On top of a neat tour, the circuit offers experiences like advanced driving courses, formula car driving lessons, and drifting courses. You can even do laps around Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with your own car or motorbike during the Track Days.

Lloret de Mar is a major party paradise along the Mediterranean coastline of Catalunya and one of the best places for nightlife throughout the summer in Costa del Maresme. This seaside resort hosts hundreds of restaurants in the narrow streets near the beach, where you can start the night with a traditional Catalonian feast or tapas. After sunset, Lloret de Mar truly comes alive, when the clubs open the doors for pumping parties. Night clubs like Disco Tropics and Disco Londoner are all located along Av. Just Marlés Vilarrodona, the main strip for late-night blowouts.

If you're more into speakeasy bars than packed clubs, visit the Like Lounge cocktail bar or Bar Bolera for a more relaxing night out. Whichever night-time entertainment you're after, Lloret de Mar will undoubtedly have it.