Can Bayés

Can Bayés is a mid-century modern single-family house in Premià de Dalt, a small town in the Maresme district of Barcelona province, Catalonia. Standing at Avinguda Manso Montserrat 17, it belongs to a wave of contemporary residential architecture built in this part of Catalonia during the 1960s.

What kind of building is this?

Can Bayés was designed by architects Lluís Cantallops i Valeri and Jaume Rodrigo Dalmau and built between 1964 and 1966. Unlike the older Catalan farmhouses (masies) scattered around Premià de Dalt, this is a purpose-built modern villa — the kind of home Barcelona-based architects were designing for well-off families relocating away from the crowded coastal strip toward the quieter inland towns of Maresme. The project's records are kept in the Historical Archive of the Col·legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya (COAC), confirming its recognized place among the region's catalogued architectural works.

The house is still in residential use and is not open to the public for interior visits — it remains private property. Its interest lies mainly in its architectural form and the design language typical of its era, rather than in any visitor infrastructure built around it.

How do you get to Can Bayés?

Premià de Dalt sits a short distance inland from the coastal town of Premià de Mar, roughly 15-20 km northeast of Barcelona along the Maresme coast. Driving is the most practical option, via the C-32 motorway or the N-II road, heading inland from the coast into the hills. Alternatively, take a Rodalies commuter train to Premià de Mar station, then continue by local bus or taxi, since Premià de Dalt itself has no train station of its own. The house stands on Avinguda Manso Montserrat, in a quiet residential part of town.

What else is there to see nearby?

Premià de Dalt mixes contemporary buildings like Can Bayés with much older Catalan masies — traditional stone farmhouses, some dating back to the medieval period, scattered throughout the municipality. Walking around town reveals a real cross-section of building styles: Gothic details on the oldest farmhouses alongside the clean lines of 1960s and 70s residential architecture represented by houses like Can Bayés. It's a rewarding stop for anyone interested in regional architecture who wants to trace how building styles evolved across centuries in Maresme, rather than seeing a single isolated monument.

The surrounding hills also offer green, quieter countryside typical of inland Maresme, a clear contrast to the busier, more built-up coastline nearby.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the mildest weather and the fewest crowds, since most visitors to Maresme head straight for the beach towns on the coast. Summer brings heat and crowds to the coastline, but inland towns like Premià de Dalt keep a calmer, low-key atmosphere throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Can Bayés? No — it's a private residence and not open to the public. You can only view the exterior of the building.

Who designed Can Bayés? It was designed by architects Lluís Cantallops i Valeri and Jaume Rodrigo Dalmau and built between 1964 and 1966.

What's the best way to reach Premià de Dalt? Driving via the C-32 motorway or the N-II road is most convenient. You can also take a Rodalies train to Premià de Mar and continue by bus or taxi, as Premià de Dalt has no train station of its own.

What else is worth seeing in Premià de Dalt besides Can Bayés? The town has several preserved Catalan masies from different periods, ranging from medieval farmhouses to more recent rural architecture, offering a good overview of the area's building history.