Alella Holidays: Barcelona Coast Town Guide for UK Travellers

Província de Barcelona · Catalonia · Spain · 8,859 residents · on the coast

Alella is a small coastal town in the Província de Barcelona, home to around 8,860 people and set about 98 metres above sea level. That modest size is much of its appeal. You get a quieter base on the Catalan coast while staying within easy reach of the wider area. Barcelona airport is roughly 17 miles away, about 25 minutes by car, and two further airports with direct UK flights lie within an hour and a half. Larger neighbours such as Badalona and Mataró are close by, and El Masnou and Montgat are just a couple of miles down the road. For British travellers who want somewhere small with straightforward access, Alella makes good practical sense.

Why go

Barcelona airport, with direct UK flights, is only about 25 minutes' drive from Alella.
A small town of around 8,860 residents gives you a quieter coastal base than the big resorts.
El Masnou and Montgat are each about 2 miles away, ideal for easy half-day outings.

Top sights in Alella

Tours and Activities Around Alella

Alella is a small, residential sort of town rather than one built around a list of headline sights, and much of its value lies in its position on the coast within easy reach of larger neighbours.

There is a good selection of tours and activities available in and around the area, and you can book tours and tickets directly on this page through the booking cards shown alongside.

We are still mapping the sights for this town.

Tours & tickets in Alella

Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Alella can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.

See tours & tickets

Where to stay in Alella

Choosing a Base in Alella

With fewer than 9,000 residents, Alella suits travellers looking for a quieter stay rather than a lively resort scene. It is a coastal town sitting slightly above sea level, at around 98 metres, so expect a mix of locations between the shoreline and the higher ground.

If you want more going on in the evenings, the larger towns nearby, such as Badalona and Mataró, are within easy driving distance. This page shows live hotel prices, so you can compare what is available for your dates.

Check hotel prices

Hire a car

The easiest way to reach Alella and the villages around it is a hire car from Barcelona (BCN), about 25 min away.

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Best time to visit Alella

Getting there from the UK

Flights, Ferries and Driving from the UK

Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom serve Alella. Barcelona (BCN) is the nearest at about 17 miles, roughly a 25-minute drive. Girona (GRO) is around 37 miles away, about 53 minutes by car, and Reus (REU) is some 63 miles off, around an hour and a half's drive. Barcelona is the obvious choice for the shortest transfer, but the other two give you useful flexibility when comparing flight times.

If you prefer to bring your own car, the drive from Calais takes around 15 hours, so most people will want to break it with an overnight stop in France. Barcelona's ferry port is only about 11 miles from Alella, with sailings to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as to Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres in Italy and Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco.

By air

Barcelona (BCN)17 miles, about 25 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
Girona (GRO)37 miles, about 53 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
Reus (REU)63 miles, about 1 h 30 min by roaddirect flights from the UK

By car and ferry

Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 12 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (11 miles).

Around Alella

Easy Day Trips from Alella

The neighbouring coastal towns are almost on the doorstep. El Masnou and Montgat are each about 2 miles away, while Premià de Mar is around 4 miles and Premià de Dalt about 3 miles. Badalona, a much larger town of over 217,000 people, is also roughly 4 miles off.

Heading a little further, Mollet del Vallès and La Roca del Vallès are both about 6 miles inland, and Mataró, with a population of nearly 127,000, lies around 9 miles up the coast. None of these involves a long drive, so you can easily fit two in a single day.

Questions people ask

What is the nearest airport to Alella?

Barcelona (BCN) is the nearest airport, about 17 miles from Alella and roughly 25 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes it the most convenient arrival point for most British travellers.

Can I fly direct from the UK to an airport near Alella?

Yes. Barcelona, Girona and Reus all have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona is about 25 minutes' drive away, Girona around 53 minutes and Reus roughly an hour and a half, so you have several options when comparing flights.

How long does it take to drive from Calais to Alella?

The drive from Calais to Alella takes around 15 hours. That is a long day behind the wheel, so most British drivers choose to split the journey with an overnight stop somewhere in France.

Is Alella a quiet place for a holiday?

Alella is a small coastal town of around 8,860 residents, so it tends to suit travellers wanting a calmer base. Larger towns such as Badalona and Mataró are within about 4 and 9 miles respectively if you want more activity.

Are there ferries near Alella?

Barcelona's ferry port is about 11 miles from Alella. Sailings go to the Balearic Islands, including Palma, Ibiza and Maó, to Italian ports such as Genoa and Civitavecchia, and to Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco.

Where is Alella?

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