Cadaqués is one of the Costa Brava's most hidden gems, only a few kilometers from Barcelona.
A hillside village with colorful houses and cobblestone paths leading to a harbor cove.
Straight out of a postcard, it's no surprise that this Spanish village was once the home of artist Salvador Dalí.
Today, I'd like to take you on a tour of this exceptional place.
Cadaqués near Barcelona: article summary
How to get to Cadaqué
Cadaques is a coastal town in the province of Girona in Catalonia. The town lies in the middle of the Cap de Creus peninsula in the northern part of the Costa Brava. Surrounded by hills, Cadaques is separated from the rest of the villages in the region, and only one road leads to it.
This road is the GI-614. If you continue on this road out of Girona, you'll find yourself in the nearby seaside resort of Roses. Alternatively, you can head further north to the magnificent El Port de la Selva.
How to get to Cadaqués from Barcelona
Cadaqués is 2-hour drive from Barcelona. The route is fairly straightforward. Just follow the freeway towards Girona, then on to Santa Llogaia d'Àlguema. From there, take the C-11 to Vilatenim and change to the GI-614 just before Roses.
You can easily rent a car in Barcelona for this trip. To find out more about car hire, I recommend to read my article on the subject.
You can also take public transport from Barcelona to Cadaques. There is a bus direct from Barcelona Nord. It is owned by the Sarbus company and runs several times a day. The journey takes about 3 hours.
If you don't mind transfers, you can also take the train to Girona or Figueres. From these two stops, you can take a direct bus to Cadaqués.
What to do in Cadaqués
There's plenty to do in Cadaqués. There are many beaches where you can swim in translucent waters. You can also visit various museums or simply glide through the city.
Platja Gran
There are several beaches in Cadaqués! In the center of town, near the long harbor promenade, you'll find Platja Gran. This is a small pebble beach with fairly shallow water. This area is also used as a port, The bathing area is therefore quite small. However, it's certainly the most picturesque place to swim in Cadaques.
Platja Port d'Alguer
Around the corner, tucked away on the outskirts of town, lies Platja Port d'Alguer. It's a much smaller, rocky beach, with a very smalla popular bathing spot for visitors.
Platja d'Es Sortell
Platja d'Es Sortell is a much more natural area. This beach is surrounded by rock formations that are said to have inspired Dali's art! Opposite the beach, you'll find the picturesque Pont des Sortell which will take you to the Es Sortell observation deck. From here, you'll have a fantastic view of Cadaques.
Platja des Poal
On the other side of town, you have Platja des Poal. The place is also used as a harbor for boats, so there's very little space to swim here.
Salvador Dalí House Museum
Salvador Dalí House Museum was the artist's home from 1930 to 1982. Today, it's a museum filled with many of his personal objects and art.
The Salvador Dalí House Museum is incredibly popular, especially during the summer months, so it's best to book tickets in advance! Just to be on the safe side, I recommend to book at least one week before your visit.
Santa Maria de Cadaqués
Santa Maria de Cadaqués is a beautiful church in the center of Cadaques. The interior here is unique, with a large golden altar. Just outside the church you'll find the a viewpoint overlooking Platja Port d'Alguer.
Enjoy the best ice creams in Cadaques
If you want a cool treat in the middle of the day, be sure to head to Es Cucurutxo. This place serves the best ice cream in town! If you're looking for something a little different, try their olive oil ice cream.
Take a stroll through the streets
Much of Cadaques' charm comes from the cobbled lanes lined with white Mediterranean-style houses with hanging flower balconies. Although the whole town is beautiful, don't miss a stroll along the Carrer des Call, a change of scenery guaranteed!
In addition to this, pay particular attention to the painted doors that can be seen on almost every wall in the city. Real works of art on almost every house.
A visit to Cadaquès during your stay in Barcelona can be an easy way to disconnect from the big city. Here, you can bathe in the calm waters of the enjoy the charm of its typical little streets.
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