Can Casanoves

Can Casanoves is a former farmhouse (masia) in Montgat, a small coastal town in the Maresme district, roughly 15 km northeast of Barcelona. Since 2007 the building and the land around it have served the town as municipal community gardens — an unusual but interesting stop for travelers curious about a side of the Catalan coast that isn't about beaches and promenades.

What is Can Casanoves?

The historic Can Casanoves property sits where Montgat's built-up area meets the Maresme hills, between Colom street and the road toward Rubí. The town council turned the grounds around the farmhouse into a network of "horts urbans" (urban vegetable gardens), which local families and organizations can cultivate for their own consumption under ecological growing rules. A municipal ordinance sets out how plots are allocated and used. One notable detail is a groundwater project for irrigating the gardens, which earned recognition from the Diputació de Barcelona (the provincial council) as an example of sustainable water management in a small municipality.

For visitors, Can Casanoves is mainly a chance to see how a small coastal town handles limited space — folding the heritage of an old farmhouse into a social and environmental use rather than turning every plot of land into new construction.

How do you get to Can Casanoves?

The easiest way is by train on the Rodalies R1 line to Montgat or Montgat Nord station, then a short walk inland toward the hills — the walk from the town center takes only a few minutes. Drivers can park near central Montgat and reach the gardens along the local road heading toward Rubí. It's worth treating this as a brief detour while exploring Montgat rather than a standalone destination — it's a local amenity, not a tourist attraction with visitor infrastructure.

What will you see there?

Expect rows of vegetable plots surrounded by greenery, simple fences, small sheds, and garden tools — a typical urban-gardening scene, but set against the Maresme hills and close to the sea. The Can Casanoves building itself has kept the look of a classic Catalan masia. From the area around the gardens you can also catch views over Montgat's rooftops and the stretch of coastline nearby. This is a place for a quiet walk and a glimpse of local life rather than a guided visit — most of the plots are private and not meant for outside visitors to enter.

When should you visit?

Spring and early summer are the best times, when the gardens are at their greenest and the gardeners' work is most visible. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, while weekends bring more local residents tending their plots. Since this isn't a site with fixed opening hours, it's best combined with a broader walk around Montgat — along the seafront promenade and into the town center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you walk inside the Can Casanoves gardens? No — the plots are allocated to local families and organizations under rules set by the town council, so the inner growing area isn't open to visitors. You can, however, walk freely along the edges of the site.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The surrounding area is public space, so passing by the gardens doesn't require a ticket — it isn't a paid attraction.

Are there restaurants or cafés nearby? The closest options are in central Montgat, a few minutes away on foot or a short drive toward the seafront.

How much time should you set aside? About 15–20 minutes as part of a longer walk around Montgat is enough — this is a supplementary stop, not the main event of a visit.