Insider’s Guide to Mataró
Mataró is the capital and largest town in Maresme. Blending historical richness with modern innovation it offers a vibrant cultural scene and a strong educational and economic base, alongside ample opportunities for recreational activities. It is located close to several natural parks and green spaces, providing great routes for hiking and biking, and boasts several beaches with volleyball, basketball and sailing facilities. Mataró is also well-connected by road and rail, with frequent train services to Barcelona and other nearby towns. The C-32 motorway also connects Mataró to Barcelona and the Costa Brava.
History & Economy of Mataró
Mataró Basílica de Sant Maria
Mataró’s history dates back to Roman times when it was known as Iluro. It retains several archaeological sites from this period, including remnants of Roman villas and an ancient road. Then, Iluro was one of the most important cities of Roman Catalonia, until the third century, when the Roman Empire began to decline. The city is built around the iconic Basílica de Santa Maria, originally built on the site of a Roman temple and which later became a Gothic building. The base of the bell tower, designed by the Milanese architect Ercole Torelli in 1675, still survives today.
As a small medieval town, Mataró, made up of farmers under the rule of the feudal lords of Castell de Mata, developed significantly during this period and continued to grow through the Renaissance and into modern times, becoming an important centre for agriculture, trade and later, industry. It was brought under the authority of Barcelona in the 15th century. Despite not having a port at that time, cargo boats unloaded their goods on Mataró’s beaches to avoid the taxes and tariffs imposed by the port of Barcelona. Many Mataró locals decided to go to America to make their fortune, seeing maritime trade as a great opportunity. Some came back very wealthy and used their money to help drive the Industrial Revolution.
The first railway in Spain was built between Barcelona and Mataró in 1851, demonstrating the historical importance of Mataró as a city for trade and exports. The early textile and knitwear factories took advantage of this and Mataró became one of the most important industrial cities in the country at that time. The textile industry was a point of attraction for people looking for work, a trend that caused the transformation of the city’s appearance through the construction of new working-class neighbourhoods.
Today, Mataró has a diverse economy with sectors such as manufacturing, services and tourism contributing to its economic stability. It is also becoming increasingly known for technology and innovation.
Property in Mataró
The property market in Mataró is influenced by several factors including its location, economic activity and quality of life. Its proximity to Barcelona (about 30 kilometres away) makes it a desirable location for commuters who work in the city but prefer a more relaxed, coastal living environment. Its economic diversity supports a stable property market. Property prices in Mataró reflect the general upward trend in Catalonia and have been rising in recent years. The average property price in December 2024 was 2,069€/m2 (indomio). This is competitive compared to Barcelona (averaging at 4,196€/m2) but it varies depending on the neighbourhood and type of property.
Mataró offers a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas. Coastal properties with sea views tend to be more expensive, while properties further inland or in less central areas are more affordable. The Catalan Art Nouveau movement has left a significant architectural legacy in Mataró, as it has in other parts of Catalonia. While most prominent modernista buildings in Mataró are public or commercial structures, there are residential properties that also exhibit elements of this architectural style. These properties may feature decorative facades, wrought iron balconies, stained glass windows, and other characteristic details. There has also been a steady development of new residential projects, including modern apartment complexes and refurbished historical buildings, catering to a range of budgets and preferences.
The rental market is fairly robust, with a significant number of properties available for long-term and short-term rentals, appealing to both locals and expatriates. The average price in December 2024 was 13,20€/m2. Overall, the property market in Mataró is buoyant, with a healthy balance of demand and supply. It is an attractive location for those looking to invest in real estate, as well as for individuals and families seeking a good quality of life with the benefits of coastal living and proximity to a major city like Barcelona.
Eating out in Mataró
The gastronomic scene in Mataró is vibrant and diverse, reflecting its coastal location and Catalan heritage. Mataró offers an abundance of fresh seafood and dishes featuring fish, shellfish and other marine delicacies are staples in many restaurants. La Marina is a family-run restaurant located on the seafront offering great views from the terrace. Located in Mataró’s port is Pez Globo, another renowned seafood gastronomic fusion restaurant with live music.
For traditional Spanish tapas, La Marineta is a great option. L’Harmonia is a popular spot that combines Mediterranean and Catalan flavours, known for its excellent seafood and tapas. In many restaurants in the Maresme capital, you can find a variety of traditional Catalan dishes such as escalivada (roasted vegetables), botifarra (Catalan sausage), pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato) and fideuà (a type of seafood paella made with noodles instead of rice). For brunch one of our favourites is Condesa in the Old Town and one of the best Indians we’ve discovered is Roti which also does take out. A set menu is just 13€ and that will do you for dinner too! The town also boasts numerous cafes and wine bars with a good selection of local wines and light bites.
The Mercat de la Plaça de Cuba is the central market – a great place to experience the vibrant food culture of Mataró, with stalls selling fresh seafood, meats, vegetables, fruits and other local products. The Mercat Municipal de Mataró is another key market offering a wide range of fresh produce and gourmet products. Mataró hosts various food-related events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating local cuisine and seasonal products. These events often feature cooking demonstrations, tastings and opportunities to meet local producers.
Shopping in Mataró
For shopping, Mataró’s Old Town is a great place to start. In the centre, there are long pedestrian streets, with plenty of shops ranging from local boutiques and trendy independent shops to chain stores and contemporary markets. If you’re looking for a shopping centre experience, then Mataró Parc is the place. This popular mall offers stores with electronics, home decor, jewellery, toys, fashion stores and a large Al Campo supermarket. There is also an abundance of restaurants on the top floor as well as a cinema. Very close to the shopping centre, there is a large Decathlon sports store (the best time to go to any shopping centre in Spain is Spanish lunchtimes (from 2-4pm) when the shops tend to be much emptier.
The Mercat de la Plaça de Cuba has fresh flowers and vegetables for great prices from Tuesday to Saturday in the morning, through to the afternoon. Additionally, on Saturdays, there are smaller markets throughout the city.
Beaches of Mataró
As soon as you exit the train station you will spot the blue waters of the Mediterranean, as well as its vibrant port. Mataró’s most popular beach Platja del Varador is both lively and family-friendly, with volleyball and football nets set up. There are ambient xiringuitos around to enjoy the day with a cocktail and tapita in hand and feet in the sand. Platja de Sant Simó is a quieter option and makes for a more relaxing beach experience. Just above the beach, there is a small naturalist area.
Things to do in Mataró
Alex Freixas @alexfreixasros
Museu de Mataró Can Serra
The Mataró Museum is housed in Can Serra, the ancestral home of Jeroni Serra Arnau. The permanent collection can be viewed in 2 separate exhibitions: Iluro, ciutat romana offers an insight into Roman-era Mataró, based on archaeological discoveries made in recent years and Mataró, ciutat mediterrània provides a journey through the city’s history from medieval and modern times to the present day. Can Serra also hosts a regular programme of temporary exhibitions on local topics related to archaeology, art, history, ethnology, science and technology, and natural sciences.
Every first Saturday of the month at 18h there is a guided tour of the museum’s temporary exhibition and on the fourth Saturday of each month there is another guided tour of the building and the museum’s permanent exhibition. On the first Sunday of each month at 12h, there is a family activity designed especially for children aged five and up. Check the website for more information.
Ca l’Arenas
An extension of Mataró Museum, Ca l’Arenas is an art centre which hosts a variety of events including exhibitions, talks, lectures, workshops, and audiovisual presentations.
Nau Gaudí
Nau Gaudí is a contemporary art museum. This modernista building, formerly a production plant, was the first completed project by Antoni Gaudí, showcasing his innovative approach to design. After being restored, it now houses an exhibition space where regular shows of local works of art are held. The works of the Bassat Collection, one of the most representative collections of Catalan art from the second half of the 20th century, are on show here from 24th January until 21st September 2025.
Casa Coll i Regas
For those interested in art and architecture Casa Coll i Regas is worth a visit. A modernista building, it was designed by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalc, in 1898 and commissioned by businessman Joaquim Coll i Regas, an important textile manufacturer from Mataró. It was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 2000.
Basílica de Santa Maria
A Gothic-style church and one of Mataró’s key landmarks, featuring a Baroque facade and impressive interiors Basílica de Santa Maria was constructed in the late 17th century. It is one of the best preserved examples of Catalan Baroque.
Torre Llauder
Torre Llauder is an archaeological site which includes the remains of a Roman villa featuring impressive mosaic floors, offering insights into the region’s ancient history. The villa was built during the reign of Augustus (late 1st century BC) and belonged to the territory of the city of Iluro (ancient Roman Mataró). The discovery of the villa in 1961 marked a significant milestone in the history of archaeology in Mataró and Catalonia in the 20th century.
Festa Major de Mataró
Les Santes is the main festival of Mataró, celebrated in late July in honour of the city’s patron saints, Saint Juliana and Saint Semproniana. The festivities include parades, concerts, fireworks and traditional Catalan activities such as castells (human towers).