During our regular visit to Toulouse, we took a car for two days to explore a bit the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (hopefully, the article about this short but nice weekend will see the world quite soon), and the stop in Cadaqués was utterly spontaneous. As it often happens, the most unplanned visits turn to be the highlights of the whole trip, and this time was not an exception.
El Port de la Selva – a town close to Cadaqués
Cadaqués is a pearl of Spanish Catalonia and of Costa Brava in particular. It was incredibly lucky to avoid a destiny of heavily urbanized coastline buried under the cement resort hotels. Partly, it is due to its hidden position – until recently Cadaqués was accessible only by boat without any connection to the road, partly – due to its art history legacy, as Cadaqués was very much loved by the last century’s artists. Not only the beautiful white town was preserved, but most of its surrounding area as well.
Cadaqués is tiny, but somehow one stops feeling the time pass, so you can spend hours in this beautiful place without noticing it. Peaceful, beautiful, authentic – visiting it off-season in February was an excellent idea, even though the restaurants, terraces and cafés were completely full. Think to book a table if you have something particular regardless the time of the year. Wikipedia suggests that with the official population of 2612 people, Cadaqués can welcome up to ten times more tourists. It gives a precise idea of how crowded it can get during the season. However, off-season it remains calm and empty, mind though that the little local shops have very limited opening time schedule.
As the visitors are required to leave the car in the large parking at the entrance of the town, Cadaqués is a perfect place to explore on foot, lazily strolling in the refreshing shadow of the old streets. Its proximity with Figueras and Gerona makes it also a great destination for a weekend around Barcelona.
What to do in Cadaqués?
The list won’t be long. First, walk through the narrow white streets of the town, caressing each passing cat. Make sure to go up the Church of St. Mary for some beautiful view over the orange tiled roofs. Have a nice meal (or a tapas if you want) close to the beach. If the weather allows, relax on the beach alongside the boats.
White streets of Cadaqués
Cadaqués details
Our fellow-bloggers from France L’oeil d’Eos who happen to live in the area insisted on us dining in Es Balconet, but – what a shame – it was fully booked. We trust their opinion though and so should you.
Spain in February
Another compulsory stop in the area is the Portlligat Museum-House of Salvador Dali. Port Lligat is a tiny village close to Cadaqués, where Salvador Dali used to have his main residence. Today his house is a museum kept by Fondation Gala-Salvador Dalí. No matter how badly we wanted to get inside, the entrance must be booked in advance, besides, we were late for the last admission – these are the downsides of the spontaneous trips we must be ready for. However, if you are a Dali fan, you won’t be disappointed as the house inside is as extravagant as was the artist himself. The house in Cadaqués is not the only Dali place in the area, as the main attraction is rather Dalí Theatre-Museum situated in Figueres.
Views of the Dali House
By the way, the great artist also was one of the reasons why Cadaqués was saved from any massive urbanization, as Dali was opposing to any building, which could “spoil his panorama”. Phew, the danger was close!
Ermita de Sant Baldiri
To cut long story short, make sure to visit Cadaqués if you have a chance, as neither Dali nor Picasso nor any other great artists could be mistaken about its beauty.
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