Things to Do in Mataró

Mataró sits on the Costa del Maresme, about 30 kilometres north-east of Barcelona. Many visitors skip it, and that is a shame. This lively city packs Roman ruins, Gaudí’s first building and a busy seafront into one compact area. Whether you love history, beaches or good food, you will find something to enjoy. Better still, trains from Barcelona take around 40 minutes. Check Train Schedules & Buy Tickets on Omio. Below, you will find twelve of the best things to do in Mataró. Most are easy to reach on foot, and several are free. For more background, read our Mataró travel guide or our Costa del Maresme guide.

Nau Gaudí

Start your visit at the Nau Gaudí. Antoni Gaudí designed this industrial building between 1878 and 1883, and it was his first ever structure. He created it for the local Workers’ Cooperative. Today, it houses the Mataró Museum of Contemporary Art and the Bassat Collection. That collection includes over 2,000 paintings and sculptures of Catalan art from the second half of the twentieth century. Entry is free, which makes it an easy win. Guided visits run at noon on the first Sunday of each month. Families can also join a children’s activity on the second Saturday of the month. However, opening hours are short and the museum closes on Mondays, so check the website before you go. Already in Spain? Get directions.

Casa Coll i Regàs

Next, head to the Casa Coll i Regàs, a jewel of Catalan Modernism. Josep Puig i Cadafalch designed this townhouse in 1898 for textile businessman Joaquim Coll i Regàs. Puig i Cadafalch was born in Mataró, so the house feels like a hometown showpiece. Inside, a skylit atrium lights the middle of the building. Meanwhile, the ornate decoration praises the man who paid for it. The Catalan government named the house a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 2000. You can even try an escape room there, plus family workshops. Guided visits run at weekends, so book ahead. Buy tickets. Get directions.

Basílica de Santa Maria

The Basílica de Santa Maria dominates the old town. The square outside, Plaça de Santa Maria, is a popular meeting spot and often hosts markets. From the street, the church looks fairly plain. Step inside, though, and the mood changes fast. The building mixes Baroque and Neoclassical styles, and its 1927 organ ranks among the biggest in Catalonia. The star attraction is the Chapel of Els Dolors. Antoni Viladomat painted it, and it counts as one of the finest examples of Catalan Baroque painting. Entering the basilica itself is usually free, though opening hours vary. Guided visits to the chapel cost €8 and last about an hour. Children under 12 go free. You need to reserve by email at reserves.museuarxiu@gmail.com. Get directions.

Torre Llauder

Mataró began life as the Roman town of Iluro, and the Torre Llauder archaeological site proves it. This villa dates to around the time of Emperor Augustus. Archaeologists found it in 1961. Today, you can see mosaic floors, the atrium, the baths and the underfloor heating room. Free guided visits run every Saturday. They start at noon in winter and at 7pm in summer. Because visits happen only once a week, plan your trip around them. Arrive a few minutes early so you do not miss the start. Get directions.

Museu de Mataró

To learn more about Roman Mataró, visit the Museu de Mataró. It sits in Can Serra, a fortified Renaissance house from 1565. The exhibition Iluro, Roman City shows how the ancient town looked. Upstairs, another display follows the city from medieval times to today. Look out for the Venus of Iluro and the portrait of Faustina Minor. The museum also keeps the bee from the banner Gaudí designed for the cooperative in 1884. Entry is normally free, so it suits any budget. Opening hours are mostly afternoons, so plan accordingly. Afterwards, you can pick up more ideas in our 3 day itinerary for Mataró. Get directions.

Can Marfà

Mataró was once a knitwear powerhouse, and Can Marfà tells that story well. The museum fills an old factory from the late nineteenth century. Inside, you will find more than one hundred items from the Jaume Vilaseca collection. They include machinery, clothing, tools and old adverts. The permanent exhibition, Mataró, a Textile Capital, explains the story of the industry. It is a fun stop for anyone who likes industrial heritage. The museum opens Thursday to Sunday, so check the days before you visit. Guided visits run on selected weekends, so check the museum’s agenda. Get directions.

Platja del Varador

Need a break from sightseeing? Walk down to Platja del Varador. It is the city’s most popular beach and sits close to the centre. The sand is golden, and the water is usually calm. Beaches here also hold quality certifications, so facilities are good. Restaurants and leisure spots line the seafront, so lunch is never far away. Meanwhile, the Passeig Marítim runs along the shore, which makes it ideal for a lazy evening stroll. If you want more space, try nearby Platja del Callao or Platja de Sant Simó. Get directions.

Port de Mataró

Just along the coast, the Port de Mataró buzzes with life. It is the biggest marina in the Maresme, with around 1,080 moorings. Nautical and underwater activities run all year. A working fishermen’s wharf adds local colour. In June, the Port Festival welcomes summer with sea-themed events. Then, in early September, the Posidònia Fest brings live music to the waterfront. Shops, bars and restaurants sit right beside the boats. As a bonus, the train station is next door, so it is easy to reach. Get directions.

La Riera

No visit to Mataró is complete without a walk along La Riera. This wide boulevard is the social heart of the city. Shops, cafés and restaurants line the street, and locals gather here all day. Stop for a coffee, browse the boutiques or simply watch daily life pass by. During July’s big festival, the fire-filled Nit Boja also lights up La Riera and the nearby streets. Get directions.

Lasal del Varador

You will work up an appetite, so book a table at Lasal del Varador. This seafront restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes on the Passeig Marítim. Its large terrace looks straight out to sea. Diners rave about the seafood paella, the fideuà and the fresh fish of the day. The kitchen focuses on local and organic ingredients. You can reserve by phone, WhatsApp or online. Booking ahead is wise in summer. In addition, you can order a midday vermouth if you fancy a local tradition. For more ideas, read our guide to where to eat in Mataró. Get directions.

Bosc Vertical

Fancy something more active? Climb into the treetops at the Bosc Vertical. This adventure park sits in the Parc Forestal, part of the Montnegre-El Corredor natural park. Four circuits offer over 100 ways to move between the trees, including zip lines and long bridges. On the highest circuit, you reach up to 20 metres above the ground. Younger children get their own circuit with low platforms. Laser tag, Segway routes and an escape room add even more options. Views over Mataró and the coast make the effort worthwhile. It is wise to buy tickets online in advance. Buy tickets. Get directions.

Les Santes

Visit in July if you can, because Les Santes is the city’s biggest party. It runs from 25 to 29 July in honour of the patron saints, Santa Juliana and Santa Semproniana. Locals have celebrated it since the early nineteenth century. More than one hundred events fill the days and nights. Expect giants, parades, concerts and fire. The Nit Boja, or Crazy Night, is the wildest part. On 27 July, a big firework show lights up the seafront. The Catalan government named Les Santes a Heritage Festival of National Interest in 2010. If you love local customs, read our post on unusual Catalan traditions.

As you can see, Mataró offers far more than many people expect. You can trace Roman history in the morning, admire Modernist design at lunch and relax on the beach by evening. Better still, the city feels calmer than Barcelona. To plan your stay, read our guide to where to stay in Mataró. If you have extra time, our best day trips from Mataró will help you explore more of the coast. Nearby towns like Calella and Arenys de Mar also make easy stops. You could even hire a car to explore further. Hire a car. If you are already in Spain, you can click here to get directions from your current location. However you travel, Mataró will reward you with history, food and fun by the Mediterranean.