Insider’s Guide to Premià de Dalt
Nestled in the scenic hills of the Maresme coast, Premià de Dalt is a charming village of around 10,000 inhabitants that offers an idyllic mix of history, culture, and Mediterranean living.
Located around 25 minutes drive from Barcelona and slightly inland from its coastal counterpart, Premià de Mar, Premià de Dalt is an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy a gentler pace of life, while still having easy access to the city and local beaches a short distance away.
With its picturesque vantage point overlooking the Mediterranean sea, proximity to nature and a vibrant local community, Premià de Dalt is an understandably sought-after location for families in Maresme.
Premià de Dalt is a typical charming and friendly Catalan village. Located just 20 kms from Barcelona, the village has managed to keep its authenticity and family atmosphere. You’ll often see (our very friendly) residents meeting on Sunday for tapas at the village’s various cafés and meeting points. – Dalila Stora
History & Economy of Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt has a fascinating history dating back to ancient Roman times and is even thought to be named after a Roman village, Vila Primilia. Throughout history Premià de Dalt remained a predominantly agricultural community, with an economy based on wine-making, cultivating olives and growing wheat.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the village evolved with the construction of impressive new homes and estates for wealthy Barcelona families. During this time, Premià de Dalt became a summer resort for the upper classes seeking tranquillity and fresh air away from the city
Today, Premià de Dalt’s economy is more diversified. Tourism and real estate have grown in tandem with the town’s popularity, although agriculture, particularly wine production, still plays an essential role. Many professionals working in Barcelona now choose to live in Premià de Dalt, drawn by its tranquil pace of life and convenient proximity to both the coast and the city.
Real Estate in Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt is an increasingly sought-after location for people looking to invest in real estate in the Maresme area. The local real estate market is characterised by large, upmarket villas, many of which offer expansive views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding hills. These luxury properties often come with spacious gardens and swimming pools, making them attractive to families and expatriates seeking more outdoor space and a comfortable lifestyle close to Barcelona city centre.
Typical architecture in Premià de Dalt includes charming historic masías (traditional Catalan farmhouses) sitting alongside sleek, contemporary properties. Given its exclusivity and proximity to both natural beauty spots as well as the action of the city, property prices in Premià de Dalt tend to be higher than in other parts of Maresme.
The village also offers more affordable homes and apartments, particularly in the more central areas nearer the village square. Overall, the real estate market in Premià de Dalt sees strong demand from both local and international buyers, which has steadily increased year on year. In September 2024 the average property price was €2639€/m2 (Indomio).
Gastronomy in Premià de Dalt
The gastronomy of Premià de Dalt is a reflection of Catalunya’s rich culinary heritage. As in much of the Maresme region, the cuisine here is based on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that highlight the exceptional produce available in the area. Premià de Dalt’s proximity to the sea means that seafood plays a prominent role on local menus, with typical favourite dishes including traditional fish stew suquet de peix and arròs caldós (a soupy rice with seafood, usually paired with locally produced wines.
Premià de Dalt is home to a number of excellent restaurants, ranging from traditional Catalan masías serving hearty, rustic fare to more modern eateries that offer creative, contemporary takes on regional dishes. El Txoko is a local favourite in the centre of the old town and Restaurant Sant Antoni serves an unmissable calçotada. Traditional Catalan restaurant Sant Jaume in the main square boasts an incredibly pretty terrace ideal for long meals on warm summer evenings. Set alongside the La Ermita de la Cisa sanctuary, cosy upmarket restaurant La Cisa boasts stunning views, tapas and drinks that more than make up for the climb to the viewpoint.
For a more casual experience, there are also several bars and cafes in the village where locals gather for tapas, vermut and small bites. These charming spots offer a more relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious food while soaking in the village’s charm. Artisanal bakery and cafe El Rebost de La Juliette is also renowned for delicious homemade pastries and sourdough bread.
Shopping in Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt offers a charming shopping experience, with a focus on local businesses and artisanal goods. The village is home to a number of small, family-owned shops where you can purchase fresh produce, locally made products, and essential goods.
Premià de Dalt also has a tiny, yet wonderful municipal market that specialises in fresh, seasonal and locally grown food products. The Mercat Municipal De Premià De Dalt runs from Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 2.00pm and on Friday also opens in the evening from 5.30pm to 8.00pm. This market is not only a great place to buy fresh, seasonal ingredients but also a central hub for the local community.
While the village itself is not a major shopping destination, its proximity to larger towns like Mataró and Barcelona means that more extensive shopping options are just a short drive away. In neighbouring Premià de Mar, the Marina Port Premià shopping complex is home to an Aldi and shops such as Casa Ametller, Veritas Action and more.
Wine Culture in Premià de Dalt
Like many villages in the Maresme region, Premià de Dalt has a strong connection to wine production. The Alella DO is one of Spain’s smallest yet most prestigious wine making regions, known for producing high-quality white and rosé wines.
The unique microclimate and topography of the Maresme region creates ideal conditions for growing grapes. Several vineyards in neighbouring Alella offer tours and tastings, allowing wine enthusiasts to sample local varieties and learn about the wine-making process.
Summer Camps in Premià de Dalt
Premià de Dalt is a really family-friendly village and during the summer months there are a variety of summer camps in Maresme, (known as casals) for children of different ages and interests.
Each summer, The Learning Kingdom offers fantastic camps in English for kids aged 3 to 14 at the Club de Tenis de Premià de Dalt, with an emphasis on cooking, arts and crafts, music and more.
Given the village’s natural surroundings, many summer camps emphasise spending time outdoors, hiking, and environmental education. Sports camps are also popular, with activities like football, tennis, and swimming.
In neighbouring Premià de Mar, Little Wild Ones offer camps with nature-based activities and excursions for kids aged 4 to 12. Kids&Us active day camps are also popular, at the Nautical Club of Premià de Mar.
Things to Do in Premià de Dalt
The Plaça de la Fàbrica is a lively central meeting point and social space where local families gather for various cultural activities throughout the year. There are numerous events and concerts in Premià de Dalt during the summer months, including Jazz en La Nit festival.
Hiking & Cycling
Premià de Dalt’s location up in the hills of the Maresme coast makes it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding landscape offers a variety of hiking trails that wind through the Serralada Litoral Natural Park, a protected area that extends along the upper ridge of the Maresme coastline.
These trails offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, the village, and the scenic nearby mountains, making them perfect for nature lovers and anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed walk in nature (or a more challenging hike). The Ruta de l’Esquirol, (or Squirrel Route) follows the Camí de la Costa to discover the Sant Mateu area is a particularly beautiful path.
Cycling is another popular activity in the area, with many cyclists taking advantage of the quiet roads and scenic routes that run through the hills and along the coast.
La Poma Bike Park and Skate Park is one of the biggest public open air parks of its kind in the world, offering a playground for Dirt Bike and BMX riders and skateboarders, attracting world-class talents to train and practise alongside beginners.
Water Sports
Premià de Dalt’s proximity to the sea also means that beach lovers can easily access the nearby beaches of Premià de Mar, Vilassar de Mar, and El Masnou, where they can enjoy relaxing in the sunshine, swimming, or water sports such as paddle boarding and sailing.
Wellness
After an action-packed day in Premià de Dalt, Mercè Molina Slow Beauty offers relaxing facial and holistic body treatments.
Festa Major
One of the most significant events in Premià de Dalt is its Festa Major, held over several days towards the end of June each year. In honour of the village patron saint, Sant Pere, this lively festival features a packed programme of concerts, street performances and traditional Catalan festivities. The event brings the entire village together, reflecting the strong sense of community that is part of everyday life in Premià de Dalt.
Aplec de la Cisa is celebrated every 1st of May in Premià de Dalt, in honour of the legend surrounding the Virgin Mary of Cisa. Festivities begin with a mass in the beautiful chapel, followed by an open air market with local products, and traditions such as sardanes (Catalan dances) and havaneres (traditional music originally sung by sailors). There are paelles gigantes (giant paellas) and butifarres (a quintessentially Catalan sausage barbecue). A warm spiced rum drink known as cremat is also served.
Thanks to Delila’s Stora for the photos in the article. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Premia de Dalt check out Dalila’s (our insider guide) beautiful airbnb apartment for stays throughout the year
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