What types of country house can you buy in El Maresme?
El Maresme offers a distinctive mix of coastal-facing rural properties, from grand historic estates to renovated family homes. Buyers in this comarca typically choose from:
Luxury country houses – large built areas, pools, and high-end finishes
Historic and fortified masías – centuries-old properties, some with original defence towers
Traditional farmhouses with land – period features, generous plots
Large country estates – substantial properties suited to significant renovation or grand living
If you're looking for a project rather than a finished home, we also list country houses in need of renovation in El Maresme, and for buyers who prefer a village setting, we have village houses in El Maresme. Not every property we sell in the area appears in our public listings – for off-market opportunities, get in touch directly.
What should you check before buying a country house in El Maresme?
Buying a masía in El Maresme is a legal, planning, technical and renovation decision – not just a question of finding a beautiful property. Before you commit, four areas need checking, and we handle all of them for you.
Legal and registral checks – we verify the nota simple, check for outstanding charges or mortgages, confirm easements and rights of way, and resolve any discrepancies between the Land Registry and Catastro before you commit.
Planning and permitted use – many masías in El Maresme sit on suelo no urbanizable or within the Serralada Litoral natural park, which affects what can legally be rehabilitated. We start with the municipal catàleg de masies, the catalogue that determines whether and how a property can be restored, then confirm permitted uses against it.
Condition and habitability – our inspections cover structure, roof, damp and installations, alongside the cèdula d'habitabilitat, water supply, drainage and flood risk.
Renovation feasibility and cost – what can realistically be restored, under what conditions, and at what cost. We cover this in detail as part of our free basic renovation proposal.
For a full legal and planning review before you make an offer, see our legal and planning checks service.
How Cottage Properties helps you buy a country house in El Maresme
Cottage Properties guides buyers through every stage of a masía purchase, from first viewing to completion and beyond.
Buying a rural property is different from buying a standard home. A specialist rural agency understands the planning restrictions, renovation potential and legal complexities specific to masías, where a general estate agent typically doesn't. Our 5-step guide to buying a country house in Catalonia walks through the process in more detail, and our services for buyers page covers our full support offering.
Free basic renovation proposal for your country house
Cottage Properties is the only estate agency specialising in masías in Catalonia with its own in-house team for the rehabilitation of rural property – a service we offer for any masía you're considering in El Maresme.
This differentiator is led by Pere Crosas, Lead Architect at sister company Cottage Architecture, whose credits include the renovation of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, for years ranked among the best restaurants in the world.
As part of this service, we provide:
Quantity surveyor support – realistic costings before you commit
Guidance on local planning rules – what's achievable given the property's status and location
A basic renovation project – a starting point for your rehabilitation, prepared by our in-house architects
We work carefully with stone, timber and heritage elements, respecting the character of the original property throughout the renovation. Read our guide on restoring a masía in Spain: permits and steps, or find out more about our free restoration proposal.
Off-market country houses for sale in El Maresme
Not every masía we sell appears in our public listings. We regularly handle discreet sales across three categories:
If you're looking for a property that isn't publicly listed, browse our off-market portfolio or contact us directly to discuss what's available.
About Cottage Properties
Cottage Properties Antic Village S.L., AICAT nº 11057, is a leading estate agency in Catalonia specialising in masías and rural heritage property. Based in Navata, Girona, the team brings over 30 years' combined experience to finding, restoring and preserving country houses across the region.
The agency is directed by Àngels Sabater Anell, one of the most recognised voices in Catalan rural property. Cottage Properties has featured in the national and international press, including TV3's coverage of the Can Morgat estate in Pla de l'Estany, Canal Decasa's feature on Mas dels Arbres in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, and The Olive Press.
Learn more about our team.
Find your country house in El Maresme
To view a property, request a viewing via the form on the property page and one of our agents will respond within one working day. You can also call our office on 627 41 95 99 or request a consultation.
We also sell masías and country houses in Vallès Oriental and Barcelonès, as well as across the province of Barcelona and the whole of Catalonia.
If the country house you're looking for isn't in our public listings or off-market portfolio, we activate our local network of other agencies and trusted collaborators across El Maresme to find it – with the same specialist Cottage service throughout.
