El Masnou Holidays: Beach, Museum and Barcelona Access
Província de Barcelona · Catalonia · Spain · 23,340 residents · on the coast
El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum
Cella Vinaria
Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres
platja del Masnou
Mirador de la plaça de l'EsglésiaEl Masnou is a coastal town of around 23,340 people in the Província de Barcelona, set just 27 metres above sea level on the Catalan shore. It is small enough to cross on foot, yet Barcelona airport is only 18 miles away, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. The town's sea-going character shows in the El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum, a short stroll from the centre, while the platja del Masnou offers a family-friendly beach. Archaeological sites, including the Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres and the Cella Vinaria, add depth, and two viewpoints look out over rooftops and sea. Summers are warm and fairly dry, with July and August the standout months.
Why go
- The El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum sits about a quarter of a mile from the centre.
- Barcelona airport is roughly 25 minutes by car, with direct flights from the UK.
- July brings highs around 29°C and only around five rainy days for beach time.
Top sights in El Masnou
Museums, Ruins, Beach and Viewpoints
The most notable sight is the El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum, a maritime museum around a quarter of a mile from the centre, well suited to families as well as anyone curious about the town's ties to the sea. Close by, the Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres is an archaeological site about 0.4 miles away, and the Cella Vinaria, a historic building in neighbouring Teià, lies around 0.75 miles out.
For the coast, the platja del Masnou is about 0.75 miles from the centre and tagged as a family beach. Two viewpoints frame the town: the Mirador de la plaça de l'Església, barely 0.1 miles from the centre, and the Mirador de Bellresguard, roughly 0.8 miles away.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards shown below.
Tours & tickets in El Masnou
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around El Masnou can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in El Masnou
Choosing Your Base in El Masnou
El Masnou is a compact coastal town rather than a big resort, so most stays put you within walking distance of both the centre and the sea. Staying near the centre keeps the nautical museum and the church square viewpoint on your doorstep, while a base closer to the platja del Masnou suits families who want the beach first thing.
With a population of around 23,340, the atmosphere is calmer than in Barcelona or Badalona, which suits travellers wanting a quieter base with the city within easy reach. Live hotel prices for El Masnou are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach El Masnou and the villages around it is a hire car from Barcelona (BCN), about 25 min away.
Best time to visit El Masnou
When to Visit El Masnou
- 14°CJan23 mm
- 15°CFeb47 mm
- 17°CMar43 mm
- 19°CApr73 mm
- 21°CMay78 mm
- 25°CJun76 mm
- 29°CJul28 mm
- 30°CAug55 mm
- 25°CSept92 mm
- 23°COct80 mm
- 19°CNov45 mm
- 15°CDec15 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months. July brings highs of about 29°C, lows of 21°C and only around five rainy days, making it the driest summer month. August is the hottest, peaking at about 30°C with nights around 22°C, though rainfall rises slightly.
The wettest period is autumn: September sees the most rain, at about 92 mm over ten days, and October stays damp. May has the most rainy days, around twelve. Winters are mild, with January highs around 14°C and December the driest month of the year.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 5°C | 23 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 47 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 10°C | 73 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 78 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 76 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 21°C | 28 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 55 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 92 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 80 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 10°C | 45 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 5°C | 15 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Barcelona airport (BCN) is the nearest, about 18 miles away and around 25 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Girona (GRO) is about 37 miles away, roughly 53 minutes by road, and Reus (REU) around 64 miles away, about 91 minutes' drive; both also have direct flights from the UK.
The port of Barcelona, about 11 miles away, runs ferries to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres in Italy, and Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco. Driving from Calais takes around 15 hours of road time.
By air
- Barcelona (BCN)18 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)64 miles, about 1 h 31 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 13 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (11 miles).
El Masnou is good for
Around El Masnou
Easy Day Trips Along the Coast
Several neighbours lie within about 2 miles: Alella, Premià de Dalt and Montgat, with Premià de Mar just beyond. Badalona, a large city, is around 4 miles away.
Inland, Mollet del Vallès is roughly 7 miles away and La Roca del Vallès about the same. Further up the coast, Mataró sits around 8 miles away and is one of the biggest towns in the area.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
At just 27 metres above sea level, the town is easy going on foot, and both viewpoints and the museum are within a mile of the centre, so car hire is optional for a town-based stay.
If you travel outside high summer, pack a light waterproof: May has the most rainy days and September the heaviest rainfall. As a mid-sized town, El Masnou is quieter than Barcelona, so plan bigger outings to nearby Badalona or Mataró.
Questions people ask
How far is El Masnou from Barcelona airport?
Barcelona airport (BCN) is about 18 miles from El Masnou, roughly 25 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making it the most convenient gateway for a short break or a longer holiday on this stretch of the Catalan coast.
Is there a beach in El Masnou?
Yes. The platja del Masnou is about 0.75 miles from the town centre and is tagged as a family beach. July and August are the best months to enjoy it, with highs of around 29°C to 30°C and relatively few rainy days.
What is the best month to visit El Masnou?
July and August are the best months. July is the driest summer month, with around five rainy days and highs of about 29°C, while August is slightly hotter at about 30°C. September is the wettest month, so it is less reliable for beach days.
Can I fly to El Masnou from the UK without changing?
Yes, there are direct flights from the UK to all three nearby airports: Barcelona (about 25 minutes' drive), Girona (around 53 minutes) and Reus (about 91 minutes). Barcelona is by far the closest at roughly 18 miles away.
What is there to see in El Masnou?
The highlight is the El Masnou Municipal Nautical Museum, around a quarter of a mile from the centre. Nearby are the archaeological sites of Vil·la romana de Cal Ros de les Cabres and Cella Vinaria, plus two viewpoints, the Mirador de la plaça de l'Església and the Mirador de Bellresguard.
Can I drive to El Masnou from the UK?
Yes. Allow around 15 hours of road time from Calais to El Masnou. Ferries also leave from Barcelona port, about 11 miles away, if you want to continue on to the Balearic Islands, Italy or Morocco.