Just 20 minutes north of Barcelona, Alella is a hidden gem located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serralada Litoral Natural Park. This picturesque village offers the perfect balance of peaceful countryside living and convenient access to city life, making it an ideal choice for families seeking nature, space, and a strong sense of community without giving up urban comforts.
Alella is known for its winemaking heritage, fresh produce markets, and charming local cafés. With the beach only five minutes away and wooded hills surrounding the village, it’s a haven for outdoor living. From vineyard tours and weekend markets to seasonal festivals, life in Alella moves at a relaxed, human pace. The community is warm and active, with regular events that bring neighbours together and foster a true village atmosphere.
Safe, green, and family-friendly, Alella offers an environment where children can grow up with space to play and explore. Parks, walking trails, and sports clubs—including popular padel facilities—encourage a healthy and connected lifestyle. For education, the area includes a range of excellent options: from local public schools like Escola Fabra and La Serreta, to the well-regarded concertada Santa Maria del Pino, and the international Hamelin-Laie School just ten minutes away in Montgat.
Compared to Barcelona, Alella offers a lifestyle that’s calm, clean, and community-driven. The air is fresher, homes are more spacious, and the sense of belonging is strong. Where Barcelona can feel busy and transient, Alella is grounded and welcoming—an environment where families thrive.
For those looking to relocate or purchase a home, Alella stands out as one of the best places to live on the Catalan coast. It combines nature, safety, and quality of life with close proximity to top schools, the sea, and the cultural energy of Barcelona.
A Day in the Life
Mornings in Alella begin quietly, with soft sunlight filtering through the vineyards and the scent of pine and rosemary in the air. The family steps out early for a walk through the hills, winding between vineyards and mountain trails, breathing in the fresh countryside air. The kids race ahead on scooters as the parents stroll with coffee in hand, eventually making their way down the peaceful streets toward the local bakery for fresh bread, still warm from the oven.
By mid-morning, life settles into its rhythm. The children walk to school just a few minutes away while the parents head to the gym or enjoy a quiet hour working from the terrace, overlooking the garden. The town buzzes gently as neighbors chat outside the butcher’s, friends meet for a quick cortado, and the weekly market sets up in the square.
Sometimes the day calls for a change of scene, and with Barcelona just 20 minutes away, it's easy to hop in the car or take the train for a long lunch in the city. Whether it’s seafood at the port or a gallery visit before heading back, the contrast between cosmopolitan energy and village calm is part of what makes life here so special.
Back in Alella, the late afternoon is for slowing down. The kids meet friends in the town square while the parents stop by the market for fresh produce or pick up a bottle of wine from a nearby bodega. On warmer days, the family heads to the beach just minutes away for a walk along the water, where the kids run barefoot in the sand and the parents enjoy a quiet drink at a nearby chiringuito.
Dinner is often enjoyed outdoors, with grilled vegetables from the local farmstand, shared stories from the day, and a glass of Alella’s crisp white wine as the stars begin to appear overhead. In Alella, life feels grounded and balanced, a place where families grow, friendships deepen, and every day is quietly shaped by nature, community, and the joy of living well.