Can Sorts (Aiguafreda)

Can Sorts is a historic masia, the traditional Catalan farmhouse, standing in Aiguafreda, a small town in Barcelona province. The building sits at Carrer Major 53, right in the town centre, and is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia as a protected element of the region's cultural heritage.

Where is Can Sorts located?

Aiguafreda lies at the foot of the Montseny massif, on the road connecting Barcelona with Vic. Since July 2025 the town has officially belonged to the Osona comarca (having previously been part of Vallès Oriental), a change that reflects its close economic and landscape ties to that region. Aiguafreda has around 2,500 residents today, and its local economy rests mainly on tourism and the textile industry — two sectors that have shaped the town's character for decades.

Can Sorts stands on the town's main street, a short walk from the centre, making it an easy stop for anyone passing through on the way to Montseny.

What should you know about the building itself?

Can Sorts is an example of vernacular architecture — built with local methods and materials, without professional architects, typical of the Catalan countryside. Farmhouses like this one once functioned as working farms, combining living quarters with agricultural outbuildings under one roof or close by.

The building is registered in the Inventari del Patrimoni Arquitectònic de Catalunya (catalogue number 28348), a formal recognition of its historical and architectural value. Can Sorts remains private property, so visits are limited to viewing the façade and surrounding area from the street — there is no public access to the interior.

How do you get to Aiguafreda?

The town lies on the C-17 road, the main route heading north from Barcelona towards Vic and Ripoll, roughly 50 kilometres from the Catalan capital. Aiguafreda is also served by regional trains on the R3 line, which makes it an easy day-trip destination without a car. From the station it's a few minutes' walk through the village centre to Carrer Major, where Can Sorts stands.

What else can you see nearby?

Aiguafreda is a good starting point for hikes toward the Montseny massif, one of Catalonia's most valuable natural areas and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Trails close to the town lead to spots such as Font dels Enamorats and the natural swimming hole known as Gorg de la Sort, popular with locals in the warmer months as a place to cool off by the water.

It's worth combining a stop at Can Sorts with a short walk through Aiguafreda's historic centre, where several other examples of traditional Catalan rural architecture have been preserved.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Can Sorts? No — the building is private property and not open for visits. You can view it from outside while walking along Carrer Major.

Is there an entrance fee? No, viewing the façade from the street is free, since the building doesn't operate as a paid tourist attraction.

When is the best time to visit? Spring and autumn work best for combining a visit with hiking in Montseny, thanks to milder temperatures. In summer, the nearby natural swimming spots draw the most visitors.

Is Can Sorts worth a full day trip on its own? Not by itself — the building takes only a few minutes to view. It's best paired with a longer stop that includes nearby trails or a walk through Aiguafreda's town centre.