Malgrat de Mar, Santa Susanna and Pineda de Mar (north)
This is where most of our Maresme homes are. Malgrat de Mar is the last town before Blanes and the Costa Brava, with a wide beach and a working town centre. Santa Susanna and Pineda de Mar are lined with hotels, campsites and beach bars. Girona airport is around 40 minutes by car, Barcelona El Prat over an hour. Barcelona is about an hour and a half by train.
Best for: Families who want long beaches, resort facilities and Girona airport nearby
Not for you if: You want a quiet village: Santa Susanna and Pineda are package-hotel resorts in summer.
Calella and Sant Pol de Mar
Calella is a long-established resort with a pedestrian shopping street, a lighthouse on the headland and a promenade lined with plane trees. Sant Pol de Mar, the next stop south, is smaller and whitewashed, with its station right on the beach and the hermitage of Sant Pau on the hill above. Trains reach central Barcelona in about an hour and a quarter.
Best for: Walking to the beach, the station and the shops
Not for you if: You dislike crowds: Calella is one of the coast's busiest resorts from June to September.
Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Sant Vicenç de Montalt and Arenys de Mar
These are well-off commuter towns where many homes sit on terraced slopes above the sea. Sant Andreu de Llavaneres has the Port Balís marina and a golf course, and Caldes d'Estrac, between the towns, has a thermal spa and a quieter beach. Arenys de Mar has a working fishing port with a fish auction. Barcelona airport is around 45 minutes by car.
Best for: Larger villas with pools and sea views, close to Barcelona
Not for you if: You want to walk to the beach: most houses are on steep residential hillsides.
Argentona and Cabrera de Mar (the hills behind Mataró)
Argentona is an inland town a few kilometres up from Mataró, known for its summer pottery fair, the Fira del Càntir. Cabrera de Mar sits under the hill of Burriac, with a ruined castle at the top and a short, steep path to it. Both are 10 to 15 minutes from the beaches at Mataró and Vilassar. Barcelona is around half an hour away by car outside rush hour.
Best for: Space, gardens and walks in the hills around Burriac
Not for you if: You don't want to drive: the beach and the shops are a car ride away.
El Masnou, Vilassar de Mar and Premià de Dalt (south)
These towns are closest to Barcelona, and the R1 train from El Masnou gets you into the city in around half an hour. El Masnou has a large marina and a long beach; Vilassar de Mar has its own station and seafront. Premià de Dalt is up the slope behind Premià de Mar, quieter and greener. Barcelona airport is around 35 to 40 minutes by car.
Best for: Day trips into Barcelona with a beach base
Not for you if: You want a resort feel: these are ordinary suburban towns with few visitors.
