Design Process
Sea-view plots in the Barcelona area
*Update: Please contact our team for current pricing.
Living close to a major city while being surrounded by nature is an aspiration for a large part of society today. That is why we would like to share some guidance on how to achieve it, with options for every budget. Today we will discuss where to find sea-view plots in the Barcelona area.
Barcelona is a very overcrowded city and, in recent decades, it has expanded enormously both towards Mount Tibidabo and towards the edges of the Besòs and Llobregat rivers.
These natural boundaries mean the city cannot grow any further, and the surrounding towns are currently growing as they welcome new generations and people looking to move out of the highly densified urban core.
Its advantages are many, and we will cover them in depth in this article.
In addition, we will provide a practical analysis of the current real estate landscape in relation to the availability, price, and characteristics of sea-view plots in the Barcelona area.
What should we look at when choosing sea-view plots in the Barcelona area?
Orientation and slope
If we are looking for a plot with views, we will most likely end up searching in elevated areas, where we must be careful about the slope and orientation.
First of all, orientation is fundamental for sea-view plots in the Barcelona area.
We always recommend looking for plots with a south-facing orientation or, failing that, south-east or south-west orientations. These orientations offer plenty of light and solar gain, which is ideal in winter and should be controlled in summer through the architecture itself, using solar control and shading elements.
Secondly, assessing the slope of sea-view plots in the Barcelona area is also very important and closely linked to orientation. Ideally, you would find a plot with a south-facing slope.
But what conditions should that slope meet? As we have explained in previous articles, building on sloping land can involve additional costs for earthworks and retaining structures, as well as foundation costs. For this reason, if the slope is steep, we always recommend consulting a professional to assess whether a prior geotechnical study is necessary to evaluate the subsoil and the potential cost implications it may entail.
If you have any doubts about the technical and financial feasibility of the project, it is also always possible to consult an architect in advance to visit the plot and review both the slope and orientation, as well as the possibilities for integrating your future home into the site.
The subsoil
Knowing the type of subsoil is another aspect to consider when assessing sea-view plots in the Barcelona area.
In fact, we consider it vital, as it will greatly influence the design and planning of any future construction, especially in terms of structure and settlement.
In general, subsoil strata tend to be arranged more or less horizontally. For this reason, it is important to know at what depth the different strata are found and, above all, the load-bearing stratum on which to support the home.
To understand the morphology and composition of a plot, there is a study known as a geotechnical study, which is used to determine precisely what type of subsoil exists beneath the ground surface.
It is a mandatory study before starting any construction work, as it helps us determine the foundation our building will require. However, it can also be carried out before purchasing a plot in order to assess whether the investment is worthwhile.
Another alternative to consider is trial pits, whose main purpose is to analyse one or more sections of land down to a certain depth, so that we can get an idea of the type of subsoil present without paying for a full geotechnical study at a time when we do not yet know whether we will buy the plot.
A subsoil trial pit is a very useful and more affordable procedure than a geotechnical study, as it is intended only to provide an initial idea of the ground’s strength and composition.
At Slow Studio, we support clients throughout the process of assessing sea-view plots in the Barcelona area. We assist our clients from phase 0, when they consider starting the search for a plot, through all technical and legal assessment procedures.
Proximity to the sea
If we are very close, we may have salinity issues.
Knowing and understanding the immediate surroundings of our plot is essential to identify any obstacles or unfavourable conditions that may affect the land.
High humidity and salinity on plots near the sea can cause problems for certain materials and construction systems, and we must take this into account when designing our home.
It will also be important to identify potential visual obstacles, both because they may block solar exposure and because they may obstruct certain views towards the coast.
We recommend visiting the plot at less favourable times, especially in the morning or late afternoon, and during the winter season.
Ways to search for sea-view plots
Assessing areas via Google Maps
Most of us use Google Maps in our day-to-day lives, whether to find the address of a restaurant, a friend we are going to visit, or simply out of curiosity.
In addition, Google Maps is also useful when searching for sea-view plots in the Barcelona area, as it allows us to travel and inspect an area or plot in advance via satellite and even through Street View, without having to leave our armchair.
How to search for sea-view plots in the Barcelona area?
Today, the internet is the place where we can find the most information about sea-view plots for sale in the Barcelona area.
During the online search, we will assess different price ranges by checking our total investment budget and filtering out plots that exceed our maximum.
Local agencies are always very helpful, as they know the market well and can advise us on areas that fit our desired price range.
Many local real estate agencies organise visits lasting a few hours around the town to review plots that fit within our budget.
There are websites specialised in this system and real estate search filtering. They work almost like physical agencies that we can access from home and contact the seller or agency selling the plot directly, although in practice, nowadays it is the same agencies that advertise on these sites.
Examples of websites for searching for plots online include Idealista, Fotocasa, or Habitaclia.
Another option is the traditional one: driving or walking around the area is always an alternative to contact owners who put up for-sale signs directly on the plot, allowing us to avoid the agency commission.
Visiting a plot is key to getting to know the place well: its access, the types of houses in the neighbourhood, and the overall atmosphere of what could become our future home.
We recommend that during visits, you take photos and note down phone numbers and addresses of the sea-view plots for sale in the Barcelona area that interest you.
Current supply of sea-view plots in the Barcelona area
From this point on, the article changes tone slightly, moving into the real estate market in order to present an overall picture of the situation regarding sea-view plots for sale in the Barcelona area.
To bring some order, we will divide the analysis into different areas or zones, based on plot prices, availability, supply, level of comfort and services, etc.
Plots in Castelldefels and Gavà
(Southern Baix Llobregat)
We will start with the sea-view plots in the Barcelona area located in Southern Baix Llobregat (Castelldefels, Gavà, Viladecans…).
Across the area, two types of opportunity spaces can be distinguished.
On the one hand, plots closer to the coast, but located within denser urban areas where it would be more difficult to secure sea views.
On the other hand, a mountainous area farther from the sea but quieter in terms of neighbourhood, and clearly with better views both of the sea and the surrounding green spaces.
In terms of connections with Barcelona as well as other important urban centres in the area, the region is very well linked thanks to an extensive network of roads and motorways, as well as the train line.
Let us look at the price ranges in the different areas. First of all, it must be said that these obviously depend greatly on supply and distance from the sea.
For example, on Idealista we find plots near the coast in Gavà at an average price of €400/m2, while in Castelldefels, due to its density and proximity to major infrastructure, the price is around €1,000/m2.
By contrast, in the more distant and elevated areas, plots range from €100/m2 up to €1,000/m2, depending on orientation, views, and slope. As an average price, the same site sets the area at €500/m2 (Gavà) and €700/m2 (Castelldefels).
Plots in Maresme
Maresme is a county in the province of Barcelona. It is characterised by its narrow, elongated shape, as its natural boundaries largely determine its morphology: the coastline on one side and the mountains of the Coastal Range on the other. For this reason, it is a very rich area in terms of natural surroundings and offers a wide variety of activities and lifestyles around its natural landscapes: the Serra de Sant Mateu, the Serra del Corredor, and the Montnegre Massif.
The beaches are long and sandy, and they are also characterised by being the points where the many streams formed in the mountains mentioned above flow down.
Mataró is the county capital, which includes: Mataró, Arenys de Mar, Canet de Mar, Calella, El Masnou, Premià de Mar, Vilassar de Mar, Tordera, and Pineda de Mar, among others.
In terms of transport, Maresme is well connected from Barcelona as well as from Girona and the towns in northern Catalonia, by national road, motorway, and train (Renfe).
The connection inland is somewhat more complicated, as the natural barrier of the Coastal Range must be crossed. However, although it may be a bit more challenging, the roads are in good condition and are safe.
With the landscape analysed, let us move on to the question of prices for sea-view plots.
Maresme is a highly sought-after area and the number of available plots is decreasing. Urban centres near the sea practically no longer have plots for sale, and in the mountainous areas prices, of course, increase depending on better sun exposure, better views, and gentler slopes.
Despite the high demand, it is possible to find excellent plots at a reasonable price, although prices rise somewhat in those towns or centres closer to the coast and well connected to Barcelona or Mataró.
If we move farther away and to higher elevations from these points, we can find more affordable prices and better sea-view plots in the Barcelona area.
On Idealista, and to compare with the Baix Llobregat area, we find, for example:
- Two towns close to Barcelona: Alella (mountain area) and El Masnou (coastal town), with average prices per square metre of €530/m2 (Alella) and €670/m2 (El Masnou).
- Using the same comparison, in two towns close to Mataró we find: Arenys de Mar with an average of €500/m2 and Arenys de Munt €440/m2.
- Finally, if we look for a town far from the two most important capitals in the area, we can explore Tordera, with an average price of €250/m2 and a high supply, as we have found no fewer than 130 plots for sale. Or Malgrat de Mar, a coastal town with plots for sale at around €450/m2.
Sea-view plots in the city of Barcelona
Finally, let us take a brief look at the supply of sea-view plots within the city of Barcelona itself.
Obviously, to find them we have had to go a little higher and search in areas of the Collserola range or Montjuïc.
Prices in these areas average €1,900/m2, based on what we have observed on the online real estate portal Idealista.
That concludes today’s post.
We hope we have helped you gain an overall view of prices and options for sea-view plots in the Barcelona area. In any case, as always, if you have questions or are in the search phase, we would like to remind you that at Slow Studio we support you at this stage at no cost, offering advice to help you get started and assisting you with the assessment once you have clear options.