Nestled on the northern edge of the Sierra de Collserola, Cerdanyola del Valles is a historic town on the outskirts of Barcelona. It is renowned for its Art Nouveau-style art museum and is home to the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which specialises in the study of social and human sciences.
Things to do in Cerdanyola del Vallès
On the western outskirts of Cerdanyola del Valles is the Castillo de Sant Marçal, a turreted castle that was originally established in the 11th century. Designed in a combination of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles, it has been recently restored and is now a popular event venue. Surrounding the castle are magnificent gardens and a reflecting pool.
In the heart of town is the Cerdanyola Art Museum, which occupies a late 19th-century building designed by Gaieta Buïgas and Eduard Maria Balcells. It houses a collection of artwork dating from between 1880 and 1930 when Cerdanyola del Valles was a popular getaway for the bourgeoisie. Don’t miss the Art Nouveau windows titled “Triptych of the Ladies of Cerdanyola”.
History buffs can visit the Ca n'Oliver Iberian Settlement and Museum, which preserves the site of a settlement dating back to the 6th century BC. Its modern interpretation centre is managed by the Cerdanyola History Museum, which also operates the Historicist-style Parish Church of Sant Martí and the whitewashed Hermitage of Santa Maria de les Feixes.
Getting around Cerdanyola del Vallès
Cerdanyola del Valles is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Barcelona and 30 minutes from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Cerdanyola del Valles railway station and buses travel through the town. The centre of Cerdanyola del Valles is small enough to explore on foot.