can Colomer

Can Colomer is a historic Catalan masia (traditional country farmhouse) located in the municipality of Vilassar de Dalt, in the Maresme comarca of Barcelona province. It sits in the hills that separate the coastal strip from the inland countryside, at coordinates 41.51443, 2.35469.

How do you get to Can Colomer?

Vilassar de Dalt lies roughly 30 km northeast of central Barcelona, inland from the coastal town of Vilassar de Mar. Driving is the most practical option: take the C-32 motorway or the N-II road from Barcelona toward Vilassar de Mar, then follow the local road uphill into the Maresme hills. Alternatively, the Rodalies commuter train reaches Vilassar de Mar station, from where a taxi or a short uphill walk brings you to Vilassar de Dalt itself; the farmhouse is reached from there via minor country lanes. Because the area is made up of scattered rural properties rather than a compact tourist center, having your own transport makes exploring far easier.

What exactly is a masia, and what defines Can Colomer?

A masia is the classic Catalan rural homestead — typically a stone farmhouse surrounded by cultivated fields, historically serving both as a family residence and a working farm with storage rooms, stables, and sometimes a wine or olive press. Can Colomer belongs to this tradition, standing among the many masies scattered across the hills around Vilassar de Dalt. Names of this kind — "Can" followed by a family surname — are the standard Catalan way of naming an estate after its former owners; "Colomer" points to the family that once held the property.

What will you see in the surrounding area?

Vilassar de Dalt itself is a small, low-key town with medieval roots, and its old quarter is worth a short stroll — narrow lanes, stone houses, and the local parish church. The municipality borders the Serralada Litoral natural park, a ridge of hills running parallel to the coast that is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. Trails along the ridge open up views over both the Mediterranean and the inland Maresme countryside, dotted with masies like Can Colomer. It's a landscape typical of Catalonia's coastal hinterland — a patchwork of vineyards, orchards, and small woods crossed by old farm tracks.

When is the best time to visit?

Maresme has a Mediterranean climate: mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best seasons for walking the hills around Vilassar de Dalt, offering comfortable temperatures and greener scenery after seasonal rains. July and August can get quite hot, making longer walks through the largely shadeless farmland less comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Can Colomer? The property is a private rural estate, so it's worth checking current access before planning a visit — many masies in the region remain privately owned and are not open to the public.

How far is it from the beach? The coastline around Vilassar de Mar is only a few kilometers from Vilassar de Dalt, making the area a convenient base for combining beach time with inland excursions.

Do you need a car to reach the area around Can Colomer? A car makes access far easier, though the train to Vilassar de Mar followed by a taxi or walk is possible; be aware the terrain is hilly.

What else is worth combining with a visit here? A walk through the old quarter of Vilassar de Dalt and a short outing on the Serralada Litoral park trails, which offer wide views over the Maresme coastline.