Can Comes (Tiana)

Can Comes is a historic masia — a traditional Catalan farmhouse — standing in Tiana, a small inland town in the Maresme region, just north of Barcelona. The building is listed as a local cultural heritage asset and ranks among the many rural farmhouses that still define the landscape of this part of Catalonia.

What is Can Comes?

Can Comes is a classic example of a Maresme masia — a working farmhouse that once anchored the agricultural life of the surrounding countryside. The building rises across a ground floor, a first floor, and an attic level, and its footprint is made up of five sections, both central and lateral, not all of which include their own attic space. This layered structure is typical of the larger Maresme farmsteads, where successive generations extended the original house with new wings as the family and its landholdings grew.

The main façade draws the eye with a symmetrical arrangement of doors and windows. First-floor balconies run along the front, and the central one stands out for its iron-and-brick railing, while the others are finished in plain stone. The whole façade is rendered in stucco, giving the building the calm, unified look typical of pre-industrial Catalan country houses.

How do you get to Can Comes in Tiana?

Tiana sits roughly 20 kilometres northeast of central Barcelona, set back from the coastal strip of the Maresme rather than directly on the shore. Driving is the most convenient option — the trip from Barcelona usually takes 25–30 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, take a train or bus to one of the neighbouring coastal towns, such as Montgat or Badalona, and continue from there by local bus or taxi, since Tiana itself has no direct rail connection.

Once in town, it is worth checking the exact location of Can Comes with the local tourist office or town hall — as a privately owned, locally protected building, it is not always marked with prominent signage, and it sits within the ordinary residential fabric of the town.

What will you see at Can Comes?

Visits are essentially limited to viewing the building from the outside, since, like most surviving masies in the area, it remains in private hands. Even so, it is worth pausing to take in the details: the symmetry of the façade, the contrast between the stone balconies and the iron-and-brick central one, and the proportions of a house built up from five distinct sections. It offers a useful glimpse into how the more prosperous Maresme farmsteads were built before the coast turned toward tourism.

A walk through Tiana pairs well with a look at the town's other surviving masies — Tiana is known for its dense cluster of historic farmhouses, many of which, like Can Comes, appear on the local heritage register.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the best times for a walk through Tiana and a look at buildings like Can Comes, when temperatures are mild and the light suits photographing the façades. Midday in summer can get quite hot, so plan the walk for morning or late afternoon instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside Can Comes? No — the building is privately owned, and only the exterior can be viewed from the street.

What exactly is a masia? A masia is a traditional Catalan farmhouse, usually built to house several generations of one family alongside its agricultural work, and common across rural Catalonia, including the Maresme region.

Is there an entrance fee? Viewing the exterior is free and can be done during a casual walk through the streets of Tiana.

How long does a visit take? Looking at the façade itself takes only a few minutes, but it is worth setting aside more time for a longer walk through Tiana to see the town's other historic farmhouses as well.