10 Best Things To Do In Cadaques : Complete Guide

Cadaqués is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Costa Brava”, with its white washed buildings, terracotta roofs, pebbled beaches and glistening oceans. You would be forgiven if you mistook it for a village on a Greek Island. If you find yourself humming and hawing about whether you should visit, then this guide has all the best things to do in Cadaques.

Cadaqués is a fishing village located the on the Costa Brava in the province of Girona. As one of the less visited towns along the Costa Brava it can feel as though it is in a world of it’s own. It hits the sweet spot of enough tourists to give the village a lively atmosphere but not enough to feel overrun, instead it is peaceful, a place to truly escape to for some serenity.

I was so surprised by this atmospheric village, it felt like a little secret, it has beaches, gorgeous buildings, fabulous hikes and everything is walkable, oh not to mention Salvador Dali called it home for 50 years.

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Best Time To Visit Cadaques

The best time to visit Cadaqués is between May and August. During this time the weather is hot and tourism picks up. September and October still have good weather, and can be a good time to visit Cadaques on a budget. It is worth noting that during the winter many restaurants and hotels close, although it’s not a ghost town, it’s significantly quieter. January & February experience the least favourable weather conditions with higher chance of rain and temperatures dropping to 9C.

How Long To Spend In Cadaques

1 day is enough to experience the top attractions in Cadaques. However 2-3 allows you fully relax and appreciate the laid back nature of the village. If you are travelling from Barcelona it’s best to spend the night as it’s 3 hours there and 3 hours back.

Where To Stay In Cadaques

€: Hotel Nou Estrelles is a beautiful 2 star hotel a two minute walk from the bus station. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, some rooms have a large terrace. I stayed here and found the owner to be so kind. It was also around the corner from the bus station and a 5 minute walk to the town centre.

€€: Hotel Calina is on Port Lligat Bay, a 15 minute walk to Cadaqués town with views of mountains and sea. The hotel has two large swimming pools along with rooms that are bright, spacious with air conditioning and a minibar.

€€€: Boutique Hotel Villa Gala is located uphill with stunning views of Cadaqués. The hotel is inspired by Dali with the decor a homage to his work. Each room has either a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, fridge and, coffee machine. Facilities of Boutique Hotel Villa Gala include an outdoor pool and garden.

10 Things To Do In Cadaques

1. Hike to Far de Cala Nans (Cala Nans Lighthouse)

The Far de Cala Nans hike was a highlight of my time in Cadaques. It was very scenic but also at parts remote making it feel as thought you were on a remote island.

Beginning at the southern end of the town on the narrow coastal road of Riba Pitxot. You’ll pass by beaches, walk through quiet rugged paths with nothing but the sounds of wildlife, and finally, you’ll reach the Cala Nans Lighthouse, where you can take in the incredible views of the rugged cliffs and ocean.

While the lighthouse is not open to the public, there is a large wall where you can relax, overlooking the ocean with your lunch and perhaps some wine (you’re on holiday after all)!

The trail is 7 km from Cadaques town is well-marked with a gradual incline, reaching 692 feet (210 metres). It should take approximately 2 hours to complete. If you are searching for a moderate hike then this is one of the best things to do in in Cadaques.

2. Explore Casa-Museu Salvador Dalí

Cadaques was once the home of Salvador Dali and his wife Gala, they lived here for 52 year and it is said to have inspired much of his work. Over looking the cove the unique residence is just a 15 minute walk from Cadaques town.

Only a limited number of guests are allowed in at a time, which makes the visit much more pleasant and relaxing. The house serves as a visual representation of Dalí’s life and imagination, and it’s truly fascinating, albeit eclectic, but if it weren’t that would be no fun.

The garden can be visited without a ticket, this is a beautiful olive grove with incredible sea views.

I recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid long wait times. Please note that the site is not accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or with mobility issues due to the presence of many stairs.

3. Esglesia de Santa Maria

What’s a European travel guide without at least one catholic church? Esglesia de Santa Maria is very much a landmark in Cadaques, visible from most of the village it is worth a visit.

To reach this 17th Century neo-gothic white walled church you need to put in a little work. Given its location perched on a hill you’ll have to climb narrow cobbled streets, it is worth it though as the views from here are fantastic.

Inside are many impressive golden sculptures, there’s a slight Salvodre Dali-esque vibe to this church which makes it all the more interesting.

4. Relax On One Of The Many Beaches

One of the (many) best aspects of Cadaques is there are so many beaches close to the town, as you can imagine visiting these beaches is a popular thing to do in Cadaques. However, if one is too busy, you are not too far from another.

The beaches are all suitable for swimming in.

5. Cap de Creus National Park

Lying on the border of France, Cap de Creus is the easternmost point of Spain. This National Park leads to a lighthouse (and restaurant) that overlooks crystal blue waters.

The cape has some interesting rock formations that look otherworldly. Cap de Creus deeply inspired Salvador Dali, appearing in much of his work. There are many hiking trails to follow and a sunset here is spectacular.

During most of the Summer and other busy dates throughout the year cars are restricted from entering, a fine will be issued if you don’t comply. On the days and hours that cars are restricted a shuttle bus will go from Cadaques during the restricted hours with a return fare of €7.

6. Mercat setmanal de Cadaqués (Monday Only)

This is a large and vibrant market with about 50 stalls, selling food, clothing, bags, souvenirs, and much more. What makes this market truly unique is that it is held in a storm drain!

You will find mostly women’s fashion, including some designer dupes.

It takes place on Riera de Sant Vicenç, every Monday from 8am until 2pm.

7. A Night In Brown Sugar

Although there are a few bars in Cadaques, Brown Sugar was my favourite one. Sipping a cocktail here is one of the best things to do in Cadaques at night.

During the day they sell delicious healthy smoothies and meals but by night the place comes alive. Brilliant music, yummy cocktails, and an energetic atmosphere, all a recipe for a fantastic night out. People even sit on the floor outside, it’s that popular.

8. Wander The Cobbled Streets

Cadaqués is a beautiful town to walk around and get a little lost in, it’s one of the best things to do while here.

Although the coastal side of the town is beautiful don’t miss out on the stunning little streets. The town is quite hilly but dotted along the paths are gorgeous boutiques, ice cream shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes; many with flowers creeping up the exterior of the building.

9. Unwind In The Best Restaurants In Cadaques

Sitting back with a glass or jug (no judgement here) of sangria and some delicious tapas overlooking the mediterranean is one of the most relaxing things to do in Cadaques.

There are plenty of dining options but during peak season you will have to book in advance because although there are many great restaurants in Cadaques, they fill up fast. We were turned away from many restaurants in Cadaques, sometimes our first AND second choice were fully booked.

Below are some of the restaurants in Cadaques I loved, the link will bring you to google maps so you can save it for your trip if you are searching where to eat in Cadaqués.

Best Restaurants In Cadaques

10. Boar Safari

Although this is one of the more unique things to do in Cadaqués, it is nevertheless a quintessential Cadaques experience.

One night my boyfriend and I were walking to a restaurant in town when I heard strange grunting noises, out ran a large boar going bin to bin eating whatever it could find. We ended up seeing that boar every single night.

I enjoyed seeing it run around town, it is quite fun to see one in person. However, do not get close to it or provoke it in anyway as they can be dangerous if they attack.

Getting To Cadaques

Flights to Cadaques

The closest airport to Cadaqués is Girona, which is 84km away. It is a small airport with only Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, Sunwing and Transavia operating from there. It is possible to fly directly from airports in UK & Ireland. Check Skyscanner to find the best prices for your dates of travel.

Once you arrive at Girona airport you will need to take the train into Girona city centre followed by a bus to Cadaqués, I cover this in the next section along with Barcelona to Cadaques.

Bus to Cadaques

From Girona Airport

The route you take will depend on the time your time of arrival. All buses depart from outside the arrivals terminal, where you can also find all bus timetables displayed there.

• Option 1 – take a Sagales bus to the town of Figures from this stop at the airport. It will take 1 hour 30 minutes. You will need to transfer at Figures bus station to the number 12 Moventis bus to Cadaques, this will take one hour. This is a total journey length of 2 hours and 30 minutes. You can book the Sagles ticket on omio.com and the Moventis bus on their website.
• Option 2 – this is the quickest option but involves 3 modes of transport. Take the number 2 Sagles bus to Girona town (20 minutes), transfer to the train to Figures (15 minutes) followed by the number 12 Moventis bus (1 hour). Total journey length of 1 hours and 25 minutes.

You can purchase the sagles bus onboard, the train can be booked on omio.com and the Moventis bus on their website.

From Barcelona Airport

• Option 1 – Moventis has a bus that goes directly from Barcelona Airport. It takes 3 hours 20 minutes, tickets can be booked on omio.com.
• Option 2 – Take the R2n train from Barcelona airport to the city centre station of Passeig de Gracia (27 mins), transfer to a regional Renfe train to Llançà (2 hours 20 mins). When you arrive in Llançà you will need to take a taxi to Cadaqués (27 minutes). This taxi can be be booked via WhatsApp with a local company Taxi Llançà. The train can be booked on omio.com.

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