Cadaqués
The picturesque town of Cadaqués, its representative monument being the Santa Maria church, is renowned worldwide for its most famous visitor, Salvador Dalí.
The Dalí family spent many summer holidays in Cadaqués. Dalí’s father was a well-known notary from Figueres, and even when Dalí travelled and lived abroad, his love for Catalonia, especially Cadaqués and Portlligat, always brought him back home.
He and his muse Gala bought a small fisherman’s cabin in the nearby cove of Portlligat. The view of Portlligat from Cadaqués is just like one of his paintings, truly amazing!
Over the years they acquired the other adjacent cabins to extend their property. These buildings have housed the Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí since 1997. Note that entry tickets to the museum have to be reserved well in advance.
Dalí was very committed to preserving the original appearance of the town, especially during the years when urban development was rife throughout the . So it is he we must thank for helping to preserving this little piece of nature.
The narrow and pedestrian streets of Cadaqués are ideal for exploring on foot, browsing the shops or watching the people passing by while sitting at a café terrace.
We suggest taking a very easy coastal walk from Cadaqués to Portlligat. However, if you want to explore the area more in depth, we also recommend a 13km trip towards the north going up to El Port del la Selva. From here there are spectacular views to the coast from the Natural Park of Cap de Creus.
A visit to Roses, reached along a narrow and winding 20km road, will offer you breathtaking views of lovely little beach coves, some of which can only be accessed on foot, and of the whole of the l’Empordà area.
Before arriving in Roses, be sure not to miss the Creu d’en Cobertella dolmen, the largest in Catalonia.
Top attractions in Cadaqués:
- Santa Maria church
- Modernist houses; Casa Serinyana
- Cadaqués museum
- Casa-Museum Salvador Dalí, in Portlligat
Special dates to consider when visiting Cadaqués:
- Summer "Festa Major": September 7 to 11
- International Music Festival: August
- Winter "Festa Major": December 17 and 18
Local market: every Monday
And more information in .... Cadaqués
