Cadaques

A whitewashed fishing village on the rugged Costa Brava that once captivated Salvador Dali, whose house sits nearby in Portlligat. Its bohemian charm, art history, and dramatic coastline make it a picturesque coastal escape.

Things to do

• Dali House-Museum, Portlligat — Tour the labyrinthine house where Dali and Gala lived, filled with eccentric personal touches like the giant egg-topped walls and stuffed swans.
• Church of Santa Maria — Climb the steps to this hilltop baroque church to see its extraordinary gilded altarpiece, one of the finest in Catalonia.
• Cap de Creus Natural Park — Hike or drive along the wind-sculpted schist cliffs of Spain's easternmost point, a landscape that directly inspired Dali's surrealist paintings.
• Wander the old town lanes — Get lost among the whitewashed cottages, blue-shuttered windows and stone alleys that gave Cadaques its bohemian, painterly reputation.
• Swim at Platja des Poal — Cool off on the small pebble beach right by the harbor promenade, backed by cafes and fishing boats.
• Walk to Cala Nans lighthouse — Follow the coastal path south of town past sculpted rocks to this lighthouse with sweeping sea views.
• Browse art galleries — Explore the small galleries and craft shops that keep alive the artistic spirit Dali, Picasso and Duchamp once brought to the village.

Food to try

• Suquet de peix — A hearty Catalan fisherman's stew of local catch, potatoes and saffron, best eaten harborside.
• Cadaques anchovies — Prized salt-cured anchovies from the region's cold, clear waters, served simply with bread and olive oil.
• Cargols a la llauna — Snails cooked Catalan-style with garlic, herbs and sometimes a splash of brandy, a traditional Empordà favorite.
• Amanida catalana — A mixed salad of cured meats, cheese, olives and tuna, a light staple of coastal lunches.
• Crema catalana — The region's answer to crème brûlée, a custard dessert with a caramelized sugar crust, found on nearly every menu.
• Empordà wine — Sample local reds and rancio-style wines from the nearby Empordà DO vineyards, often paired with seafood tapas.

Local customs & good to know

• Book Dali's house ahead — Visits to the Portlligat house are timed and limited, so reserve tickets online well in advance, especially in summer.
• Wear sturdy footwear — The old town's cobblestone lanes and coastal paths are uneven, and cars are largely excluded from the historic center.
• Expect late Spanish meal times — Lunch typically runs until 3:30pm and dinner rarely starts before 8:30pm, so plan accordingly.
• Bring water shoes for coves — Most beaches around Cadaques are pebbly rather than sandy, so water shoes make swimming more comfortable.