Can Vives

Can Vives is a 15th-century masia (Catalan farmhouse) standing in Cabrils, in the Maresme region just north of Barcelona. Today the building operates as a boutique guesthouse, but its roots reach back to a time when the surrounding land was still part of a Roman settlement along the Via Augusta.

Where is Can Vives located?

The property sits in the Sant Crist neighborhood of Cabrils, roughly 2 km from the Maresme coastline and just under 25 km from central Barcelona. Historically, the area was made up of four estates — Can Vehils, Can Vives, Can Carbonell, and Ca n'Amat — clustered around the small chapel of Sant Cristòfol. Their land once stretched all the way to the sea, and the whole site appears to have been built over an earlier Roman settlement.

What's the history behind the building?

Can Vives is listed in Catalonia's Inventory of Architectural Heritage. The families associated with the estate belonged to some of the oldest lineages in this part of Maresme — local genealogical records trace residents of the area back to the 16th century. Agriculture remained the dominant activity here until the 20th century; large-scale urbanization of Cabrils only picked up from the 1960s onward, which let the masia retain its rural, secluded character for a long time.

One particularly notable detail is an underground passage that connects the house directly to the neighboring chapel of Sant Cristòfol — a small pre-Romanesque structure dating to the 9th century, considered one of the oldest surviving buildings in the region.

What will you see on site?

The building follows a basilical layout: ground floor, first floor, and an attic level. Its silhouette is marked by a double-sloped roof with a projecting central section — a design typical of Catalan masies. The main façade features an arched doorway framed with wedge-shaped stones, while the upper windows carry granite trim. The structure is made up of three perpendicular sections, with one wing folded into the left side of the house and another, topped by a flat terrace, added on the right.

Following a thorough restoration, the property now functions as a privately rented estate. Spread across roughly 720 m² on a plot of nearly 1,900 m², it holds 6 bedrooms, 17 beds, 4 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious dining area. The garden includes a private 8x4 m pool, while stone walls and exposed wooden beams inside preserve the traditional Catalan feel of the interiors.

How do you get to Can Vives?

Cabrils is an easy drive from Barcelona — about 30 to 40 minutes along the Maresme coastal highway. Nearby coastal towns such as Vilassar de Mar or Sant Pol de Mar have direct rail links to Barcelona, from where Cabrils is reachable by local transport or taxi.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons — Maresme's mild climate makes the garden and pool comfortable without the peak heat of a Catalan summer. Summer visits mean higher temperatures, though the short distance to the beach makes it easy to cool off nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Can Vives without booking a stay? No — the property is a privately rented estate, not a museum or a public heritage site. Access is generally limited to guests staying there or renting the venue for an event.

What connects Can Vives to the Sant Cristòfol chapel? An underground passage links the two buildings directly. The chapel, dated to the 9th century, stands right next to the house, forming a single historic complex with it.

Is the building original or rebuilt? The structure dates from the 15th century and keeps its original architectural layout, though it underwent a thorough restoration that returned it to livable condition while preserving historic elements such as the stone façade and granite window frames.

How long does it take to get there from Barcelona? Usually 30 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic along the coastal highway.