Things to see and do in Cadaqués?

Cadaqués is undoubtedly the most famous village of the Costa Brava for the beauty of its streets with white facades and blue windows. In this picturesque fishing village where Dalí lived for many years, you can stroll through the old town, enjoy the beach and discover the Dalí museum house. But these are just some of the things to do and see in Cadaqués, there is much more to explore.

At Passporter we know that you will fall in love with Cadaqués, but as it is a very touristy destination, we recommend planning your trip in advance to enjoy it. That is why we have prepared this post, where in addition to telling you the essential places to visit, we give you travel tips that will make your visit more comfortable. We have also prepared a list of suggestions for accommodations and restaurants. Are you ready to start your trip?

What are the best places to visit in Cadaqués?

1. Dalí’s House Museum, a must see in Cadaqués

The House-Museum of Salvador Dalí is an essential stop in Cadaqués. This peculiar white building was the home and workshop of the famous artist and today hosts part of his work. Exploring the rooms and gardens of the house will immerse you in Dalí’s unique world. Every corner of the house is truly curious and will certainly surprise you.

The visiting hours vary depending on the time of year. The entrance fee is 15€ in low season and 18€ during July and August. If you travel in high season, we recommend you go early to avoid queues.

2. The old town of Cadaqués

The old town of Cadaqués is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets and white houses with blue windows. The streets are full of flowers and everywhere you look it seems like a postcard scene. In the center you’ll find the Church of Santa Maria. There are also numerous art galleries, craft stores and cozy restaurants where you can sample the local gastronomy. There is a lot to see in Cadaqués, but nothing like the old town, where we recommend you to wander around and enjoy the atmosphere of the place.

3. Modernist houses in Cadaqués

In Cadaqués you can find some Modernist houses built in the early 20th century that reflect the influence of Catalan modernism in the area. Some of them have facades decorated with ornamental elements, wrought iron balconies and unique architectural details. As you stroll through the old town you will see the facades of these houses that give Cadaqués a unique personality.

The most famous houses are the Torre de Colom, Casa Pont and Escola Caritat Serinyana and the neoclassical Casino l’Amistat and Casa Rahola. But the most famous is the Casa Blaua or Casa Serinyat

4. Church of Santa Maria and the best views of Cadaqués

This church of Gothic style dates back to the 15th century and is one of the buildings that stands out for its prominence on the Plaza de la Iglesia. Inside you can appreciate the impressive rib-vaulted nave and a collection of altarpieces and works of religious art. But the best are the views from the viewpoint of the church. There you get a panoramic view of Cadaqués and its coastline.

5. Beaches in Cadaqués

Cadaqués has several beaches and coves where you can relax and enjoy the Mediterranean climate. The main one is Playa Gran, the closest to the village and offering services such as umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Another option is Playa de Portlligat, near the famous home of Salvador Dalí and perfect for snorkeling.

If you’re looking for quieter beaches you can go to Sa Conca Beach, Cala Nans and Cala Jugadora. These are three more secluded and wild coves that require a short walk to reach them.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to do around Cadaqués

1. Figueres, the town of Dalí

Figueres is abeautiful medieval walled villagethat owes its fame to Dalí. Not only was he born there, but it also has a surrealist museum commemorating his work and life. The entrance fee varies between 15€ and 20€ depending on the day of the week. And the museum is open every day from 10:00h to 18:00h except Mondays.

Figueres can be visited in a morning, and in addition to visiting theDali museum we recommend a walk through the old town and a visit to the Castell de Sant Ferran. From Cadaqués it takes just over an hour to get there and you can go by car or by one of the buses that run between the two municipalities frequently. If you want to know more about Figueres we invite you to visit this post: What to see and do in Figueres Spain?

2. Cap de Creus National Park

The Cap de Creus National Park is a natural paradise that unites rugged mountains and impressive cliffs over crystal clear waters. It covers more than 13,000 hectares and is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna species. The park is said to have inspired Dalí in many of his works.

The park offers numerous hiking trails that allow you to explore its most remote corners and discover hidden coves. It’s worth the occasional hike to enjoy the views.

What to see in 1 day in Cadaqués?

Cadaqués can be visited in one day, in fact, it is a common excursion to do when staying in Roses or Figueres. As we have already seen, the charm of Cadaqués lies in its streets, in the landscapes surrounding the town and in its gastronomy. That is why our recommendation is to visit the Dali museum first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds, and then head downtown to have an appetizer in one of the bars on the promenade, see theold town and eat in one of the wonderful restaurants of the town.

In the afternoon you can take the opportunity to relax on one of the beaches of Cadaqués, either on the main beach or in a nearby cove if you prefer a quieter place.

Where and what to eat in Cadaqués?

You can not miss the food of Cadaqués, recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. They use the best quality ingredients from both the sea and the land. Some of the most famous dishes are the rice dishes and suquets, fish and seafood, and sea urchins. Here are some of our favorite restaurants where you can try these dishes and more.

• Share: this Michelin-starred restaurant is the best place to taste local gastronomy in its purest form. The dining room is located in a large courtyard really nice and the service is impeccable. The price is around 75€.
• Xiringuito de la Mei: Located on the beach, it is the restaurant with the best views of the coast. Here you can taste local and Mediterranean dishes at a very good price and in an exceptional atmosphere.
• Bar L’Estable: for less than 40€ you can eat in this nice bar on the beachfront. The treatment is unbeatable and the food is deluxe. Recommended either for lunch or a drink.

Where to stay in Cadaqués?

Although Cadaqués is quite small, it offers several options when it comes to accommodation. Keep in mind thatit’s not cheap and because it’s so touristy it’s necessary to book well in advance. Here is a list of some suggestions for accommodation

• Boutique Hotel Villa Gala: is a beautiful four-star hotel decorated with the colors of Cadaqués. It is located in front of the beach and has a swimming pool, garden and restaurant. The price per night starts at 200€ and breakfast is included.
• L’Hostalet de Cadaques: This hostel is a cheaper option than the average (100€ per night) and a nice and comfortable place to stay. It is located just 200 meters from the beach.
• La Fonda: is a simple and very nice hotel just 5 minutes from the beach. It has a bar and breakfast is included in the price of 115€ per night.

How to get to Cadaqués?

The town of Cadaqués is located on the coast, protected by a small range that makes it necessary to cross a mountain pass to get there. From Barcelona it takes approximately 2 hours and a half, and these are all the options available to get there:

• Car: This is the most comfortable way to get there. However, keep in mind that during the summer the village is very busy with tourists, so we recommend you to go very early in the morning to park well, either in a free or paid parking.
• Train: If you don’t have a car you can take a train from Barcelona to Figueres, and then a bus from Figueres to Cadaqués. The bus ride takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Bus: There are several direct bus routes from Barcelona and Girona to Cadaqués. The price is around 30€.

Once in Cadaqués you can move freely on foot as the distances are very short and the beauty of the place invites you to stroll.

What should I consider before traveling to Cadaqués

• The best time to travel to Cadaqués is in May, June and September, when the weather is good and there are fewer tourists.
• In Cadaqués you can get around on foot.
• Catalonia is a very touristy region, so booking in advance is recommended.
• Catalan is spoken in the region, but you will be perfectly understood in Spanish.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured
• The road to Cadaqués is narrow and winding. Perfect for driving enthusiasts.
• It is recommended to go in low season or get up early if you go during the summer to be able to park and see the town without overcrowding.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Cadaqués

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Cadaqués.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cadaqués