Cadaqués and Portlligat, the authentic Costa Brava

At the end of a superb winding road, Cadaqués appears facing the Mediterranean Sea, turning its back on the last reliefs of the Pyrenees that form Cap de Creus. Thanks to this location, which isolates it from the rest of the country, the old fishing village has remained safe from concreting and still looks exactly as it did almost a century ago. A nugget on the Costa Brava.

With its small white houses bathed in sunlight, the village's charm is still very much alive. You'll love wandering through the narrow streets of the historic centre, where the Santa María church culminates: its slightly austere exterior contrasts with its famous altarpiece in the unrestrained Baroque style. Cadaqués' heritage is also reflected in a number of fine residences, such as the Maison Serinyana and the Maison Rahola, with their handsome Modernista facades.

Cadaqués, a village that inspired many artists

Although it attracts many people in season, Cadaqués cultivates a confidential atmosphere, a trendy charm shared by insiders, with its art galleries and fashionable addresses. A spirit forged in the 1930s by the influence of Salvador Dali, the Surrealist master's artist friends and painters spent their summers here, and from Éluard and Garcia Lorca to Matisse and Picasso, Cadaqués and its landscapes have inspired many a creative mind...

There are no big beaches here, but rather small sandy corners and coves for swimming, away from the world if possible. Try your luck at Sa Conca, En Pere Fet, and the many platja that punctuate the peninsula as far as Port Lligat, on foot, snorkelling or in a kayak! Beyond that, the Costa Brava truly deserves its name: this wild, rocky and spectacular coastline is home to Cap de Creus, an unspoilt nature reserve with stunning scenery.

Stroll to Port Lligat, Dali's lair

Dali and his muse Gala were already an inseparable couple when they married in 1932. At the time, Dali had not yet made his fortune, so all the couple could afford was a small fisherman's cottage nestling in the cove of Port Lligat.

It's easy to understand their choice: Port Lligat is a privileged location, a small bay backed by Cap de Creus and protected from the winds, just 1 kilometre from Cadaqués, linked by a pretty panoramic road lined with olive trees. Many of Dali's works depict the small bay and its islet, a place of great inspiration to the artist.

Dali gradually transformed and furnished his very modest house in Port Lligat to make it as comfortable as possible. As for its architectural structure, he developed it along the lines of a molecule! Today, Dali's house, which has been very well preserved, serves as a museum: the Casa-Museu Dali.

The visit invites you to enter Dali's world and try to understand the master's work through an infinite number of elements from his everyday life. So be patient, as the queues can seem endless. But don't give up, because this house museum is one of the region's must-sees, and will appeal to Dali fans, but not only Dali fans.

How to visit Casa-Museu Dali :

You must book tickets and times on the Casa Salvador Dali website. Tip: always book in advance, as the museum attracts a lot of people.

⏰Hours:

• June to September: 9.30am-9pm.
• Rest of the year: 10.30am-6pm.

👛Fares:

• January-June: full price €14, concessions €8
• July-August: full price €18, concessions €11
• September-December: full price €15, concessions €9

While Dali is largely responsible for preserving the Cadaqués of today, he also worked throughout his life to protect the Cap de Creus nature park. Delving into the artist's world sheds a special light on the region and its attractions. It's a fun way to combine cultural tourism with nature discovery.

One day is enough to discover the village and make a detour to Dali's house in Port Lligat, but a whole week is just as recommended to explore the Cap de Creus region, undoubtedly the most beautiful on the Costa Brava.

When should you come to Cadaqués?

The village's original charm comes into its own in the off-season, from April-May, and later in September-October. July and August are busier and more crowded, so expect prices to rise sharply.

How do I get to Cadaqués?

By plane, via Barcelona's El Prat airport. By train, via Figueres railway station. Cadaqués' isolated location means that it's much more practical to stay here by car.

The village is served by Moventis buses, with connections to Figueres, Girona and other Costa Brava resorts, as well as Barcelona's El Prat airport with a change.