Can Botey

Can Botey is a historic Catalan masia in Premià de Dalt, a small town in the Maresme district just inland from the coast north of Barcelona. The estate sits on Carrer de la Cisa, at roughly 145 metres above sea level, surrounded by gardens that are protected as a heritage site in their own right.

What is Can Botey?

Also known as Can Casadellà, Can Botey is a classic Maresme masia — originally a rural farming estate — that grew over time into a stately residence. Its architecture is best described as eclectic historicism with neoclassical touches, typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, even though the estate's roots go back to the 18th century.

The main building rises over a ground floor and two upper storeys, flanked symmetrically by two lateral wings. Stone, ironwork, timber, and brick laid in a distinctive herringbone pattern (locally called sardinell) define the facade, a technique widely used in Catalan rural architecture of the period. Around the main house stands a cluster of secondary structures — storerooms, service buildings, a dovecote, and a small viewpoint with a bench looking out over the Maresme hills.

How do you get to Can Botey?

Premià de Dalt sits inland, just above the coastal town of Premià de Mar, about 25–30 km northeast of Barcelona. Driving is the easiest option: the town has a direct exit off the C-32 motorway connecting Barcelona to the Maresme coast and the Costa Brava. Travelling by train also works well — take a Rodalies R1 service to Premià de Mar station, then continue by local bus or taxi for the short inland stretch up to Premià de Dalt. Because Can Botey is a protected local heritage building set in a quiet, mostly residential part of town, plan for a short walk from the town centre once you arrive.

What will you see there?

The main appeal of Can Botey is the combination of architecture and greenery. The facade, with its symmetrical wings and detailed stonework, is striking even from the street, and the surrounding gardens — listed separately in Catalonia's architectural heritage inventory — form a shaded, intimate space that still holds traces of the original layout, including the dovecote and viewpoint mentioned above. This is a spot best suited to visitors interested in Catalan rural architecture and the agricultural history of the Maresme, rather than a mass-tourism attraction — come prepared for a quiet walk and an exterior view, and check locally or with the Premià de Dalt town council if interior access is available on the day.

History and heritage protection

Can Botey has been listed in Catalonia's Architectural Heritage Inventory (IPAC) since 1991 as a Bé Cultural d'Interès Local — a cultural asset of local interest. The main building and its gardens hold separate catalogue entries, underlining that both the architecture itself and the historic garden layout around it are considered worth preserving. Over its long life the estate has served various community and agricultural functions; at one point it even hosted a kindergarten classroom that ran for about a decade.

When should you visit?

Because the experience centres on the gardens and an exterior view of the facade, spring and early autumn are the best times to come, when Maresme temperatures are mild and the gardens are at their greenest. Summer can get hot and busy given the proximity to the Costa del Maresme beaches, so a morning visit is more comfortable if you come during that season. Pair the trip with a stop in Premià de Dalt itself and the seaside town of Premià de Mar just below it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a masia? A masia is the traditional Catalan farmhouse, historically tied to agricultural estates, found throughout Catalonia including the Maresme region.

Can you visit the inside of Can Botey? The building is a privately held estate with local heritage protection, so interior access can vary — check current visiting arrangements with the Premià de Dalt town council before you go.

Since when has Can Botey been a protected heritage site? Both the building and its gardens have been listed in Catalonia's Architectural Heritage Inventory (IPAC) as a local cultural asset since 1991.

What's the best way to reach Premià de Dalt? Drive via the C-32 motorway, or take a Rodalies R1 train to Premià de Mar and continue the short distance inland by bus or taxi.