Discovering Cadaqués: One of Costa Brava’s most charming villages

People rave about Cadaqués… and we totally get why! This seaside village is special.

With its whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and turquoise coves, it’s got all the Mediterranean charm. Plus a quirky, artistic soul (the surreal landscape even inspired some of Dalí’s most iconic works).

It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to slow down, savour every view, and maybe even end up staying longer than planned.

Sitting at the heart of the Cap de Creus Natural Park, Cadaqués is also a gateway to some of Catalonia’s most beautiful coastal hikes and dive spots.

In this guide, we’re sharing everything we love about it, from hidden coves and scenic walks to delicious food and dreamy places to stay. Let’s dive in!

Things to do in Cadaqués, Costa Brava

Hike the Camí de Ronda to discover the Cap de Creus Natural Park

Camí de Ronda is a coastal footpath that runs along the Catalan coast. The sections north and south of Cadaqués are especially beautiful. Plus, they will allow you to explore the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the first maritime-terrestrial natural park in Catalonia.

Along the way, you’ll walk through impressive pine forests, climb hills with incredible views, and reach isolated, crystal-clear coves.

Camí de Ronda from Cadaqués to Port de la Selva

This is a real hike, so make sure to wear proper hiking shoes. The full route is 22 km long with 660 m of elevation gain.

Walking north from Cadaqués, follow the red and white signs that will guide you through this path. After 2 km, you’ll reach Portlligat, a tiny, beautiful village where Dalí lived and worked from 1930 to 1982.

The next 6 km are a constant up and down until reaching the Cap de Creus lighthouse. The building dates from 1853, and it’s the lighthouse located further east of the Iberian Peninsula. Take a moment to soak in the views because they’re just mind-blowing!

This is a great spot for a picnic and to recharge your batteries before continuing the hike. You can also eat something or enjoy a cold drink at the restaurant next to the lighthouse. This is the last shop/restaurant you’ll find before reaching Port de la Selva.

Once you leave the lighthouse behind, the path now goes inland, so there are no options for swimming until you get to Port de la Selva. The track now climbs steadily until it reaches a sign with a cow skull! This place is pretty isolated, and it reminded us a bit of the far west!!

Now comes a steep descent and then another section with some ups and downs. Along the way, you’ll pass by some abandoned stone houses. The last 4 km are a long but beautiful descent to Port de la Selva. The views of the Mediterranean Sea and the white houses of the village are really, really nice.

Once in Port de la Selva, we enjoyed its beautiful sandy beach, got a great meal to celebrate that we had finished the hike, and strolled through the narrow, charming streets in the village’s centre.

We’ve written a guide about Port de la Selva, where you’ll find our favourite spots, restaurants, and even accommodations, in case you decide to spend one night there (which we highly recommend!).

You make your way back to Cadaqués by bus (check the bus schedule here).

Camí de Ronda from Cadaqués to Roses

Same as before: this is a real hike! Make sure to wear proper hiking shoes. The whole route is 19 km long with 578 m of elevation gain.

Starting from Cadaqués again, head south instead of north. The first 4 km is a climb that goes from sea level to the peak Puig D´En Manyana, at 227 m of altitude. Once on top, don’t forget to enjoy the views!

Then comes a steep descent all the way to sea level again, to the beautiful cove Cala Jóncols. This is a wonderful place for a refreshing swim and for taking a break.

The next 7 km unwind through various coves, some wilder than others. One of them is the famous Cala Montjoi, well-known worldwide as it’s home to Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli restaurant. Although the cove is nice, we found it was too crowded and not very wild. So, we decided to stop at Cala Murtra instead, where we were alone.

The next highlight of the route is Punta Falconera, a coastal cape with incredible views of the Bay of Roses. Here, the Cap de Creus National Park ends. You’ll enter the city of Roses, passing by several neighbourhoods, beaches, and a lighthouse before reaching the city centre.

When we arrived in Roses, we stopped to enjoy ice cream at La Gelateria de Roses, which we really enjoyed!

If you don’t want to spend a night in Roses, make your way back to Cadaqués by bus (check the bus schedule here).

Visit Dalí’s house in Portlligat

Portlligat is a tiny village right next to Cadaqués. It’s best known as the place where Salvador Dalí lived and worked until 1982. His quirky seaside home is now a museum, easily recognisable by the giant egg sculptures on the roof.

The museum is open most days of the year (check the opening hours), but you must book the tickets in advance. There are no on-site sales. On the day of your visit, make sure to pick up your ticket at least 30 minutes before your time slot, or you’ll lose your spot. The visit lasts about 50 minutes and is self-guided.

Inside, you’ll explore Dalí’s labyrinth-like home filled with oddities, artworks, and personal items that give you a real feel for his creative world.

Try the delicious taps de Cadaqués

If you’re in Cadaqués, make sure to try the famous taps de Cadaqués. These little sponge cakes are shaped like cava corks (taps means cork in Catalan), and they’re topped with powdered sugar and sometimes with a splash of rum. They’re light, sweet, and super fluffy (the perfect local treat!).

You’ll find delicious ones in Can Cabrisas and Pastisseria Quer.

Get lost in Cadaqués’ historic centre

The streets in Cadaqués’ centre have a way of making you feel like you’re in a movie set. They are narrow, full of flowers, and usually decorated with paintings related to the sea.

Grab a gelato (great ones in Es Gelat), wander aimlessly, and let yourself get a little lost.

If you’re looking for a souvenir, the selection at Colmado Cadaqués is great! This iconic shop, with its red door and sign, has plenty of natural products, like baskets, rugs, wooden bowls, bags, shawls, towels and really cool sunglasses.

Soak up the views from the lookout

Want great views of Cadaqués? Then, head to the balcony in front of Santa Maria de Cadaqués church. The views from there are super beautiful, with the white houses and the Mediterranean Sea.

When we were there, a guy was playing an acoustic guitar, which made things even more bucolic!

Discover the Cap de Creus Natural Park on a bike

If you’ve explored Cadaqués for a couple of days and are ready for a great adventure, we can’t recommend enough doing the Cap de Creus loop on a bike!

This 60-km cycling adventure takes you to the most beautiful villages in the area (Roses, Cadaqués, Portlligat, and Port de la Selva), offers impressive views, and is an incredible way to exercise while discovering the natural park.

We cycled it in 2023 and loved it! We did it in two days, starting and ending in Port de la Selva and spending one night in Roses. If you want to know more about this adventure, check out our “A 2-day cycling adventure in Costa Brava: Cap de Creus loop” guide.

Experience an incredible sunrise (or sunset)

If you want to start your day with an absolute blast, wake up early and watch the sunrise from the sea. We know it can be hard…but we can assure you that you won’t regret it!

If waking up early is not in your plans, but you’d still like to see the sky painted in beautiful colours, you can head to the Cap de Creus Lighthouse and enjoy the sunset from there!

Kayak to unexplored caves and hidden coves

Up for discovering Cadaqués and the quirky rocky formations of the Cap de Creus Natural Park on a kayak?

Join a kayak-guided tour and paddle along the coast to discover crystal-clear coves and hidden caves that are impossible to access on foot. After kayaking, it’s time to explore the Paratge de Tudela on foot, one of the most singular spots in the Cap de Creus Natural Park.

This tour lasts the whole day. It starts in Portlligat and is only for people who already have previous experience of kayaking in the sea.

If you’re looking for a half-day adventure suitable for beginners, we recommend this guided kayak tour from Portlligat to Cala Bona.

Go diving or snorkelling

If you’re a beginner, Cadaqués is a fantastic place to dip your toes into the world of diving. Here, the waters are calm, clear, and full of life (basically, the ideal conditions for beginners!).

Already certified? Then, get ready to be amazed! Some of the famous dives in the area include shipwreck remains from ancient Greek, Roman, and Phoenician vessels, stunning underwater caves, and colourful seabeds. Regarding life, you can spot sponges, moray eels, and waving red and brown algae.

Great diving centres in the area are Diving Portlligat Cadaqués, Cadaqués Divers, and Diving Center Cadaqués.

If you prefer snorkelling, you can sign up for a guided tour with Diving Portlligat Cadaqués or rent your equipment at Cadaqués Divers and explore on your own.

Where to eat in Cadaqués

Cadaqués might be a small village, but there are many great places to eat. Here are our favourites:

🥘 El Rebost de l’Aniol: A cosy spot serving delicious traditional Catalan dishes. The arròs negre (black rice with squid) is definitely a highlight! If you want to order wine, ask the waiter to recommend one. They have a great selection of local wines to complement the meals perfectly.

🍝 Celeste: If you love Italian food, this is your place. The pasta dishes are divine, especially the spaghetti vongole and red pesto penne. The service is super friendly, the atmosphere is nice, and the desserts are great too!

🥟 Restaurant El Viatge: Up for something different? This place offers a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine with global influences (El Viatge in Catalan means the trip). We loved everything, but our favourites were the duck bao and grilled eggplant. Besides the food, the decoration is lovely, and the dishes are beautifully presented.

🫒 Oli Bar: This is a new place in town and already a favourite! The menu is still small, but all the dishes are very creative and delicious (think Scotch egg but made with local blood sausage and mint aioli). The atmosphere is intimate, and the staff is super attentive.

🥘 Restaurant Nord Est: Situated by the harbour, this restaurant offers stunning sea views. It’s an ideal spot for enjoying a meal while watching the sunset. Regarding food, here you can enjoy tasty paellas and seafood.

🧆 El Barroco: This place is special. It’s a beautiful Lebanese restaurant housed in a historic 16th-century building and adorned with lots of antiques. Inside, it feels like being in a quirky museum, while outside, it feels like a fairytale garden. The meze platter is delicious, and the fish is super fresh.

If you’re thinking about having a picnic at the beach and want a place to grab some food, head to Cadaques Cuina. You can grab homemade meals like salads, omelettes, burritos, tapas, or empanadas. The food is healthy and of good quality.

Where to sleep in Cadaqués

There are plenty of accommodation options in Cadaqués, from apartments and boutique hotels with sea views to others tucked in the middle of the narrow streets.

Les Arrels and Horta d´en Rahola are two wonderful adults-only boutique hotels. Les Arrels is located on a hill with fantastic views of the village and the Mediterranean Sea, whereas Horta d’en Rahola is surrounded by beautiful, lush gardens.

If you’re seeking excellent value for money, Hostal Vehí or Hostal El Rantxo are great choices. They are both located in the heart of the village.

Travelling with your family or friends, and you’d rather stay in an apartment? You can’t go wrong by choosing Es Volca (up to 2 people), Voramar (up to 6 people), Es Cucurucuc (up to 4 people), or this beautiful apartment in the heart of the village (up to 5 people).

When is the best time to go to Cadaqués

July and August are peak season in Cadaqués, and the village can get really crowded. Be sure to book your accommodation and restaurants in advance because last-minute spots are nearly impossible to find.

Also, try to avoid driving into Cadaqués on summer weekends. The road is narrow and traffic jams are very common.

May, June, and September are the best months for us as they’re a bit quieter, and temperatures are more pleasant. You can still swim and do most water activities, especially in September.

If you’re thinking about hiking, avoid July and August. They’re the hottest months.

If you’re looking for calmness and don’t mind not being able to take a dip in the sea, April, October and November are great months for hiking. The only downside is that some restaurants and hotels are closed outside the peak season.

How to get to Cadqués from Barcelona

Cadaqués is not super far from Barcelona, so it’s a good option for a day trip. But we highly recommend a weekend getaway to enjoy it at its best!

So, how can you get there?

🚗 By car

The easiest way is by car. From Barcelona, you need to drive 2 h 15 min to be in Cadaqués. Once there, you can park in this free parking lot on the outskirts or in one of the paid parking lots in the centre of the village. Take into account that the parking lots fill quickly in the summer months, so it’s a good idea to get there early.

Also, the road to reach Cadaqués is quite windy and narrow. If, like me, you tend to get dizzy, it’s best to sit in the front and stare straight ahead!

🚎 By bus

If you don’t have a car, no worries! Public transport runs from Barcelona to Cadaqués.

There is a direct bus from Estació del Nord (Barcelona) that takes 2 h 30 mins. In summer, this bus departs quite frequently and costs around 27 € one way. In winter, the frequency drops to 1 bus a day.

🚊 By train

Another option, although slower and less convenient, is to go by train.

The train doesn’t reach Cadaqués, so you’ll have to stop in Figueres. The Renfe MD train takes 1 h and 50 min to get to Figueres from Barcelona. Once there, you need to walk 3 min to the bus station and take a bus to Cadaqués, which takes approximately 1 h.

If you choose this option, you can purchase a combined ticket at the train stations in Barcelona, which is slightly cheaper than buying tickets separately.

🚐 Join a guided tour

If you only want a day trip to Costa Brava from Barcelona, joining a guided tour is the best way to discover the area without having to plan anything. We suggest two options depending on what you’d like to do:

• A 12-hour Dalí tour to visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres, explore Cadaqués and visit the Dalí House museum in Portlligat. This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Dalí’s life and see the place that inspired him (and where he lived). The tour includes transportation to and from Barcelona and a local guide.
  
• An 11-hour tour to Girona, Figueres (including the Dalí Museum) and Cadaqués. This is great if you haven’t been to Girona and would like to take a glimpse of this beautiful city and combine it with a coastal trip. The tour includes transportation to and from Barcelona and a local guide.

If you prefer to have a guide all to yourself, you can book this 9-hour private tour instead. The tour includes transportation from and back to Barcelona, a guided tour in Cadaqués, and free time to explore the village, swim in its crystal-clear coves, and enjoy a nice meal!

How to get to Cadaqués from Girona

Cadaqués is not far from Girona either. So if you’re staying in Girona and plan a day trip to explore Costa Brava, Cadaqués is a great option.

🚗 By car

The easiest way is by car. You only need to drive 1 h 15 min from Girona to Cadaqués. Once there, you can park in this free parking lot on the outskirts or in one of the paid parking lots in the centre of the village. Take into account that the parking lots fill quickly in the summer months, so it’s a good idea to get there early.

As we’ve mentioned before, the road to reach Cadaqués is quite windy and narrow. If, like me, you tend to get dizzy, it’s best to sit in the front and stare straight ahead!

🚎 By bus

Public transport runs from Girona to Cadaqués. There is a direct bus that takes about 1 h and 45 min to complete the journey.

We hope that this guide has encouraged you to discover Cadaqués. If you do, let us know your favourite adventures and spots!

🚐 Join a guided tour

If you’re in Girona and only want a day trip to Costa Brava, joining a guided tour is a very comfy and stress-free option.

There are two tours we suggest, depending on which areas you want to visit and which activities you want to do:

• A 9-hour tour to explore Cadaqués, Cap de Creus Natural Park, and Sant Pere de Rodes Monastery (Catalonia’s most important romanesque monastery). The tour includes transportation to and from Girona and a local guide.

• A Salvador Dalí tour focused on the life of the artist. The tour lasts 9 hours and you’ll visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres, the town of Cadaqués, and take a little walk around the Cap de Creus Natural Park. The tour includes transportation to and from Girona and a local guide.

And that’s a wrap! We hope that this guide has encouraged you to discover Cadaqués and the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Enjoy 🙂

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More things to do in Costa Brava

We’ve written several posts with adventures to do in the area. Here are some suggestions:

• Learning to freedive in Costa Brava: Learn how to freedive with a weekend course in the Costa Brava. Do you dare?

• Seven beaches in the province of Girona that aren’t packed during summer: Get away from the summer crowds by hiking to one of these secluded beaches in Costa Brava.

• Discover Costa Brava’s authentic foods and flavours: Embark on a delicious journey through Costa Brava’s culinary scene and discover the typical foods to enjoy on your next trip there!