Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a small town of 2,800 people (2018) on the coast of northern Catalonia. The town is a well-visited destination that also has on its outskirts at Port Lligat the summer home built by Salvador Dalí. Since his death it has become a tourist destination.
- 1 Cadaques Tourist office, C. d’es Cotxe 2-A, ☏ +34 972 258 315, turisme@cadaques.cat.
Understand
Local roads provide access to Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the Iberian peninsula, about 6 km away and the conservation area around it. The French border is about 20 km to the north. Prior to the explosive growth of beach tourism in Spain, Cadaqués was a sleepy fishing town, and some elements of this past exist to this day.
Get in
There are many local buses that go from Figueres to Cadaqués and even organized tours. You can also reach Cadaqués by bus from Barcelona. For those traveling on their own, it is easy to drive there from Figueres as well taking the C-68 in the direction of Roses and then following the signs to Cadaqués.
By train
There's no direct train connection to Cadaqués, but you can make the first part of your ride by train. From Barcelona, one way to reach Cadaqués is by train from the Plaza Catalunya, at the center of the city on the west point of Las Ramblas. From here, hop on a train heading North to Figueres, a journey that should last about an hour and a half. From the Figueres train station, walk straight out into the city and you'll see the bus station on your left. From here, you can hop on a bus to Cadaqués (which leave frequently), where you'll take an hour long journey up through the Catalonia hills and at last down into the beautiful sleepy town of Cadaqués.
By bus
The company Sarfa operates a daily service direct from Barcelona to Cadaqués. The timetable changes depending on the season. The buses leave from the North Station which is close to "Arc de Triomf" (and metro station) and is also within walking distance from the centre of the city (about 35 minutes walk). Beware holidays! The timetable is reduced considerably and you might have to wait 7 hours between the busses, especially if you want to leave Cadaqués and catch a plane. In this case you can take a taxi to Rosas and hop there on one of the more frequent buses.
By boat
It is possible to catch a ferry from the nearby town of Roses. During much of the year these ferries travel several times a day.
By car
Arriving by car is quite easy; there are several free parkings in the city. One of them is left side from the downtown when you arrive by car, close to the beach (open 09:00-20:00).
Get around
The city structure of Cadaqués is short and sweet, where shiny tiles lead travellers all through the city, from the bars and cantinas at the city center beachfront, to the hotels and private homes on the surrounding sides of the Cap de Creus peninsula. You can pretty much walk everywhere you want, but renting a vespa is nice option to explore the surrounding countryside.
By foot
Because of the geography surrounding the town of Cadaqués, the traditional way for the town people to travel was walking, by boat (rowing or sailing) or by "Tartana". It is still possible (and enjoyable) to walk to Cadaqués either from Roses or El Port de la Selva. From Roses there is a marked trail which follows the coast. The walk is approximately 15 km and passes several bays and beaches on the way. The walk is marked with small red and white painted marks which are located on rocks and signs.
See
- 1 Dali's House (Port Lligat Museum-House), ☏ +34 972 25 10 15. Dali spent many summers in Cadaques and had constructed a house which is now a museum. This house is located in Port LLigat, which is approximately 15–20 minutes walk from the centre of Cadaques. If you want to visit, you have to book your time slot in advance, as only about 10 people every 10 minutes are allowed to enter.
- 2 St. Jaume Castle (Castell de Sant Jaume), Carrer del pintor Joan Ponç. Ruins of a fortress dating back to the 17th century. It was destroyed by the English and rebuilt by the French during the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century. During its early history it had no defensive role but was only used for observation and signalling, but in later years it adopted a more defensive role.
- 3 Church of Santa Maria (Santa Maria de Cadaqués), Carrer del Portal del Mont.
Do
- Beaches: there's a topless-friendly beach, left side from the downtown when you arrive by car.
List of Beaches in Cadaques south to nord
- 1 Platja de Pius V. It has a length of 10 m and a width of 10 m, made up of stones and rocks, and sediments from the Sant Pius V creek that flows into it. The beach is accessible to dogs.
- 2 Platja de sa Conca, Avinguda Verge del Carme, Cadaqués. it is oriented to the east, with a tendency to the southeast. It has a length of 100 m and an average width of 11 m, made of gravel, with a steep entrance to the water. Nudism is practiced there. To the right of the beach there is a signposted path of about 3.5 kilometers that leads to the Calanans lighthouse.
- 3 Platja des Sortell, Camí de Ronda, Cadaqués (Cadaqués). It has a length of 50 m and an average width of 10 m, consisting of coarse gray sand mixed with pebbles. The slope at the entrance to the sea is not very steep. The beach is accessible to dogs. In front of it is the Island of Sortell, which is accessed by the Pont des Sortell, a picturesque stone bridge, which allows you to reach Es Mirador, the highest point, at 10.5 meters above sea level, where there are panoramic views of the bay.
- 4 es Llaner Petit, Carrer de sa Jorneta, Cadaqués. It is oriented to the east. It has a length of 69 m and an average width of 18 m, made up of sand, gravel and pebbles. There are usually a large number of small boats stranded on the sand. On the first line of the sea is the Costa house, from the beginning of the 20th century, with a tower that characterizes it.
- 5 es Llaner Gros, Carrer de sa Jorneta, Cadaqués. Oriented to the east, it has a length of 93 m and an average width of 18 m, made up of sand, gravel and pebbles. On this beach is the family house of Salvador Dalí, where he spent many summers. Federico Garcia Lorca also visited him.
- 6 Platja Port d'Alguer, Carrer Riba Pitxot, Cadaqués. it is an urban beach. Oriented to the southeast, it has a length of 56.5 m and an average width of 19.4 m, made up of stones and thick dark-colored sand. There are always fishing boats stranded on the sand.
- 7 Platja Gran, Carrer Riba Nemesi Llorens, Cadaqués. located in the center of the town. It is the largest in the bay of Cadaqués, hence its name. It has a length of 205 m and an average width of 20 m, consisting of sand, gravel and pebbles. The beach receives three different names: Portal in the western section, sa Platja in the central section and Portitxó in the eastern section. In the central section there are two historic bars, El Marítim and El Boia.
- 8 Platja des Poal, Carrer Riba des Poal, Cadaqués. in the center of the town, it is delimited by the street that runs along the coast of the Oliguera peninsula. It has very good views of the town. It faces south, with a southwest trend, has a length of 30 m and an average width of 10 m, made up of stones and coarse sand, with a gentle entrance slope to the water, and is protected from swell It is usually occupied by stranded fishing boats.
- 9 Platja des Pianc, Carrer Riba des Poal, Cadaqués. It is oriented to the southwest, with very good views of the town. It has a length of 40 m and an average width of 10 m, consisting of stones and coarse dark-colored sand, with a gentle entrance slope to the water, and is protected from the swell. It is usually occupied by stranded fishing boats.
- 10 Platja de ses Oliveres, Avinguda de Victor Rahola, Cadaqués. Oriented to the south, it has a length of 100 m and a width of 10 m, it is made up of sand and pebbles, with a moderate entrance slope to the water. It is usually full of boats stranded on the sand.
- 11 Platja d'en Ros, Avinguda Perez del Pulgar, Cadaqués. Oriented to the west, it has a length of 80 m and a width of 8 m, made up of sand and pebbles, with an entrance slope to the soft water. The name of en ros comes from a capital of a 16th century brig that plyed the Cadaqués-Barcelona route and was also the owner of the vineyard behind the beach.
- 12 Platja d'en Perefet, Carrer d'en Pere Fet, Cadaqués. Oriented to the south, it has a length of 70 m and a width of 10 m, made up of stones and coarse sand. Nudism is practiced there.
- 13 Platja de s'Arenella, Camí de S'Aranella, Cadaqués. It is very common to find small fishing boats on the shore of the beach. It is 24 m long and 12.5 m wide, made up of fine sand, gravel and pebbles.
- 14 Platja de sa Confitera, Carrer de S'Estrop. It has a length of 24 m and an average width of 12 m, of fine sand, gravel and pebbles. It is surrounded by the dirt track that borders the sea front. Submerged in the water you can find the remains of a shipwreck from 1921, it is the boiler of the French pailebot Douaumont.
- 15 Racó d'en Sanés, Carrer es Caials. Oriented to the east - southeast, it is 12 m long and 32 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. The entrance to the water is complicated by the abundance of rock formations that surface at water level or remain at a shallow depth.
- 16 Platja des Caials, Carrer es Caials. It is oriented to the south-southeast, has a length of 40 m, formed mainly by pebbles. The beach has a row of stones that divides it in two. In front of the beach, at a depth of about 15 m, there are the remains of the ship Llanisshen, a British steamer that sank after being torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917, in the middle of the First World War.
- 17 Platja de l'Illa. located in the south of the island of Portlligat. It has a length of 76 m and an average width of 11 m, made up of gravel and pebbles. It is the largest beach on the island. It can be accessed by walking from Pep Ton beach, in the bay of Portlligat, through the shallow waters of the Passage de ses Boquelles, a channel about 30 m wide that separates the island from land firm
- 18 Platja d'en Pep Ton, Carrer Passatge de l'Ila. located in the bay of Portlligat, in an environment with few buildings, in front of the island of Portlligat, separated from it by the passage of Ses Boquelles. It has a length of 31 m and an average width of 6 m, consisting of coarse sand, gravel and pebbles. The beach is accessible for dogs.
- 19 Platja des Calders, Carrer des Calders. It is oriented to the northwest. Its waters are very sheltered and shallow. Its name betrays that it is a hot place, despite its orientation. It consists of two beaches of 28 m length each and an average width of 6 m, made up of coarse sand, gravel and pebbles.
- 20 Platja de Portlligat, Avinguda de Salvador Dali (It is accessed by road, with parking nearby.). Oriented to the east, it is very protected by the peninsula of s'Oliguera and the island of Portlligat. It has a length of 186 m and an average width of 21 m, consisting of coarse sand and stones, with a shallow entrance to the water, and a shallow bay. Part of the beach area, closest to the houses, is occupied by fishing boats. It doesn't have any services, but there are two bars and kayaks are rented in the summer.
- 21 Platja de Sant Antoni, Cami del paratge de s'alqueria. It has a length of 66 m and an average width of 14 m, consisting of coarse sand and stones, with an entrance slope to the gentle water. There are often fishing boats stranded on the sand.
- 22 Platja d'en Ballesta (Platja S'Alqueria Petita), Avinguda Paratge S'Alqueria. Oriented to the east southeast, it has a length of 30 m and an average width of 7 m, made up of coarse sand and pebbles. Sheltered and lonely, it usually has calm waters, even when the north wind blows. The name of the beach refers to the surname of the local rector and owner of a nearby vineyard.
- 23 Platja de s'Alqueria, Avinguda Paratge S'Alqueria. Oriented to the southeast, it has a length of 59 m and an average width of 20 m, formed by flattened pebbles. In front of the beach is the islet of s'Alqueria, near the tip of the same name. Nudism is practiced there.
Hiking
The GR 92 long-distance walking route crosses the city.
Try de hiking routes marked on Cap de Creus Natural Park
Music
International Music Festival of Cadaqués: During the first week of August. The festival aims to reflect the artistic eclecticism of this town, a source of inspiration for countless artists. Its program encompasses a wide range of musical genres, from jazz to classical music, and even pop and rock, always betting on good music while maintaining its uniqueness.
Buy
Eat
Fish restaurants of Cadaqués are highly rated in the region.
Budget
Mid-range
- 1 La Gritta, Calle Passeig, 11, ☏ +34 972 15 94 71. One of the rare places where you can eat full meals between 16:00 and 20:30, when most cafes are closed. Gaspatzo and pizza are good; fish is not.
- 2 Can Rafa, Plaza Passeig, 7, ☏ +34 972 15 94 01, info@restaurantcanrafa.com. Owned and run by the Martin Faixo family, it offers fresh sea-food and a recommended paella.
- 3 Can Tito, Calle Vigilant, 8, ☏ +34 972 25 90 70. Serves local cuisine in a cute hidden street. It has not many places outside, hence reservation recommended.
- 4 El Gato, Calle Curos, 10, ☏ +34 972 258 844, el-gato-azul@hotmail.com. The restaurant serves reasonably priced special food. Be patient for the service.
Splurge
- 5 Casa Anita, Calle Miquel Roset, 16, ☏ +34 972 25-84-71. 08:30-22:30. The restaurant serves fresh sea-food of the day, no menu. Due to small space you will be seated with other guests at a large table in the small dining room.
- 6 Compartir, Riera Sant Vicenç s/n, ☏ +34 972 25 84 82. Mateu Casañas and Eduard Xatruch opened the place in 2012. They used to work in the famous El Bulli restaurant. Compartir means sharing in Catalan. All plates are put in the middle on the table to share. The entrees including the oyster or the tuna on liquid salad are extremely good as the desserts. The service is extremely friendly and strikes for perfection.
Drink
- 1 Bar Casino, Plaza Doctor Tremols, 1, ☏ +34 972 25 81 37. A traditional and popular meeting place in the town center.
- 2 Casa Nun, Plaza Port Ditxos, 6, ☏ +34 972 25 88 56. Wonderful little restaurant on promenade that serves local dishes and has wonderful ambiance.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
- 1 Pension El Ranchoo, Avinguda de Caritat Serinyana, 13 (In the city center), ☏ +34 972 25 80 05. Double room about €40, €5/person breakfast (as of April 2009).
- 2 Arrels Hotel (Arrels Hotel Cadaqués), Urbanització Majorica, 17488 Cadaqués, Girona, Spain, ☏ +34972258860, cantito.cadaques@gmail.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The Arrels Hotel is situated within a 35 000 square meter property above the entrance to the village of Cadaqués. An incomparable place with an emphasis to detail, tranquility, personal attention and spectacular views that help create a unique atmosphere as well as a romantic and exclusive setting. It is an ideal place for couples and exclusively for over 18 year olds.
Hotel Arrels , during the sixties, was emblematic and also the meeting place for the “ Gauche Divine” (the much talked about in the media heterogeneous movement). A melting pot of culture and history where intellectual discussions thrived but also creativity and artistic thoughts abounded. It was also one of the first open air discotheques in the country, the favourite haunt of painters such as Dali, writers like Rosa Regas, architects such as Ricardo Bofill and Oscar Tusquets.
Splurge
- 3 Hotel Playa Sol, Platja Pianc, 3, ☏ +34 972 25 81 00. Directly on the sea-side.
Connect
As of Jan 2024, Cadaqués has 5G from all Spanish carriers, with 4G or 5G on its approach highways.
Go next
- Cap de Creus in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, 7 km from Cadaqués. It is possible to walk there following a marked track which follows the coast, or to walk or drive along the road. There is a bar and restaurant at the Cape which is open everyday until late (22:00ish).
- Blanes. Southernmost resort with two botanical gardens, beaches and modernist buildings
| Routes through Cadaqués |
| Llançà GI-612 ← GI-613 Cap de Creus Natural Park ← | W  E |
→ END |
| Roses ← Cap de Creus Natural Park ← | W E |
→ End |