Cadaques in Spain. My review and photo. Open left menu Cadaques Cadaques Spain how to get there from Barcelona
Cadaques is the small town where visitors to Catalonia flock to experience the special spirit of art that reigns here. In Cadakis, it is worth wandering through the streets, finding remarkable places while walking. Particular attention should be paid to:
- The house-museum of Salvador Dali is one of the most important attractions of the city. The famous artist truly appreciated this cozy city. Lived here a lot of time from 1932-1982. The house is very quirky, like the genius himself, located on the bay and was opened in 1997;
- the Cadaqués Museum is dedicated to the history of the city and Salvador Dali;
- Church of St. Mary (late 17th century), the main church of Cadaqués, built in the Gothic style with a remarkable 17th-century Baroque altar and bell tower;
- the statue of Salvador Dali located on the embankment;
- statue of Federico Garcia Lorca. A friend was given as a poet and writer;
- Cape Creus with a lighthouse is located 6 km from Cadaqués, the easternmost point of Spain, cliffs, wind and wild sea;
- Empuriabrava is a new and fashionable newly built town 24 km from Cadaqués;
- Cap de Creus Natural Park;
- The city of holidays and carnivals, the most important event, the international music festival, takes place in August.
Population and famous people of the city of Cadaques
Currently, Cadakis has a population of 2,794 people as of January 2017. During the peak holiday season, the population increases several times.
Cadaqués is the place where such great personalities as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp and many others lived and visited. In his works, Cadaques mentions Gabriel García Márquez.
Climate of Cadaques
The city has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and cool winters, when the piercing Tramontana winds blow. Cadaques is located in a small bay where the Pyrenees mountains connect with the Mediterranean coast, creating a special microclimate. The beaches of Cadaques are small, pebble-sand, rocky, the main city beach has a developed infrastructure, comfortable for relaxation.
Cadaques, a city of white houses with brown roofs and blue sea, combined with the spirit of creativity that reigns here, creates an unusual atmosphere. Definitely, this city is worth a lot of tourist attention.
Cadaques on the map of Spain
Cadaques(Spanish: Cadaques, cat. Cadaques) is located near the border with France, on the Costa Brava, the most popular beach tourist destination in Spain among Russians. This is the easternmost part of Spain, and this is where the sun rises above it. The city is separated from the rest of Spain by the mountain peaks of the Pyrenees, which means there are quite strong air currents rushing from the mountains. In summer the sea is calmer, but in winter there can be high waves. But the air here is always clean.
The city has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and relatively cool winters.
Weather in Cadaques by month
Below is the average monthly daily temperature according to long-term weather observations.January 12.7°C
February 12.5°C
March 15.1°C
April 17.9°C
May 20.5°C
June 25.0°C
July 28.1°C
August 28.8°C
September 25.4°C
October 21.8°C
November 16.8°C
December 14.1°C
What immediately catches your eye upon arrival in Cadaqués is its snow-white houses, usually no higher than three or four floors. The whole city is somehow bright and joyful, it seems that it was specially created for blissful relaxation. However, this is true.
Cadaques Map
Cadaqués stretches like a long white ribbon along the northern shore of the bay.
Panorama of the central part of the city. It looks especially beautiful from the bay side.
A significant part of the coastline in the city is occupied by the beach. We were there in November, so we couldn’t appreciate its merits.
Along the beaches there are embankments with white houses and endless cafe tables.
And from everywhere there is a magnificent view of the bay and the sea. 
But Cadaques is famous not only for its snow-white houses and beautiful bay. The nature surrounding it is no less interesting. 
Almost next to the city center there is a charming island connected to the city by a stone bridge.
Here you can happily wander among the protected nature. And if for some reason you cannot visit the nearest spurs of the Pyrenees, a “trip” to this island can give you some idea of them.
The architectural dominant of the city is the Church of Santa Maria (Iglesia de Santa Maria), built in the 16th century. The cathedral looks especially majestic from the bay side against the backdrop of the surrounding low-rise buildings.
The building itself has simple shapes, without architectural delights, and if not for its snow-white color, it could seem gloomy and even gloomy.
At the same time, the interior decoration of the cathedral, in its splendor, differs sharply from its ascetic appearance.
Iconostasis
Stained glass
As for the city itself, i.e. In its “inner” part, it is an ordinary European “old” city with narrow streets and small houses standing close to each other. However, white walls and a large number of flowers do not make them dull and monotonous, as is sometimes the case in European cities.
Street scene 
Enchantress! Well, what else can you say? As the song says: “She looked as if she had given her a ruble, she looked as if she had burned her with fire.”
We should not forget that Cadaqués is located in Catalonia, whose inhabitants have always been prone to separatism, and recently the desire to secede from Spain has entered an active phase. Therefore, on many houses and other objects one could see Catalan flags and posters with the inscription “SI” - “YES” (to secession). However, all this takes place without any disturbances, so tourists should not be afraid.
Near our hotel, there was a Statue of Liberty, just like the American one, only small and of course, with a flag and a poster.
A snow-white fishing town in the north of the Costa Brava, located on the shore of a sea bay and lost among olive groves. Separated from the rest of Catalonia by mountain peaks. A few kilometers from France.
We were here in mid-March. The weather was not hot, but not cold either. From Girona to Cadaqués it is 72 km, and from Barcelona it is 169 km. At the very end of the road a winding serpentine awaited us. It's good that I was driving, otherwise I would have gotten carsick.
When entering the city, we left the car in the huge Saba paid parking lot. Parking is very expensive, the cost per minute is €0.0447, almost €2.7 per hour. By Catalan standards, this is very expensive. Let's go for a walk.
At the beginning of the century, Cadaqués was a kind of Spanish Saint-Tropez. Its name comes from the French Cap de Cuers, after the name of a castle built at the dawn of centuries. Then the monastery of San Pere de Roda was built here, destroyed by pirates in 1534.
Admiring the unusual beauty of the local landscapes, you begin to understand why this small city has always attracted the attention of artists and poets. At the beginning of the 20th century they vacationed here Picasso, Andre Breton, Marc Chagall and many other prominent artists.
Walking around the city, we found a strange house with cats. Cats were everywhere - at the door, on the windows, in the windows, on the roof. I think that a very kind person lives there and treats sick cats. As elsewhere in Catalonia, in Cadaques there are cats at every turn.
The place here is extraordinary: crystal clear blue water, fishing boats moored on the shore, small houses of local residents, narrow winding streets, a magnificent old church overlooking the city, many art galleries and two museums. Based in Cadaqués Orchestra of Cadaques and the International Competition for Young Conductors is held.
In Cadagues Bay, ships and yachts of all sizes drop anchor. Here you can practice various types of sea sports. The Cap Creus nature reserve delights with its nature, but more about this reserve next time. It deserves a separate report.
But something is uneasy for us. Very expensive parking. The running counter does not allow us to walk in peace. It was decided to find free parking. I looked at the Google Maps satellite map. There I saw a huge free parking lot on a nearby mountain. Go!
Parking is located on the mountain on the way to Dali's house. We continue to get acquainted with the town. Now no longer in a hurry.
We go down to the bay. Today is such a busy day (we visited Cadaqués, Cap de Creus), we don’t even have time to eat. Snack on the go. The streets are deserted, only cats are found.
We went out to the embankment. There are many restaurants here. The city is famous for its exquisite cuisine. Numerous cafes and restaurants invite you to try seafood dishes (we recommend trying the fish dish Cremat), which are famous throughout Europe, meat dishes, Spanish vodka, as well as famous Catalan desserts. Wide selection of wines. Unfortunately, we didn't eat.
Along the way, on the slope of Pani Hill, many landscapes known from Dali's early paintings appear. From here you can clearly see the rocky shores of Cap de Creus and Port Lligat Bay, which served as a source of inspiration for the surreal works of the Catalan. Dalí's summer house is a short walk from the city center. We get in the car and go there.
Nice hotel near Dali's house
There is an excellent inexpensive hotel with a swimming pool right next to Dali's house. I would stay here next time for a couple of nights. . I only found available rooms for the next 2 weeks. They probably don't sell reservations much in advance.
Have you been to Cadaques? What are your impressions? What didn't I tell you? Write in the comments.
How do I save on hotels?
It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts on Booking and 70 other booking sites simultaneously.
A good friend of mine, an art collector and a big admirer of Dali’s work, lives in Cadaques. If I find myself nearby, I certainly come to visit an old and cool house on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea overlooking the bay and the red tiled roofs of the houses. Cadaqués literally fascinates me every time. This is a European dream town. Among those that are pleasant to draw in your mind, but you are not sure that they actually exist. I like everything here: the unhurried rhythm, windy weather, snow-white houses (in Cadaqués it’s like in Greece: blue sea, white houses), cats on every corner, unhurried and at the same time mischievous residents, families of fishermen and then owners of yachts and mansions. Everyone is equally welcoming and noble!
What I also like about Cadaques is the feeling of grace that overtakes you literally in the first minute of your stay. Problems disappear, and the joy of life appears. And I want to sit forever on the local embankment, drink coffee, watch seagulls, rocks and artists in colorful scarves walking along the sea.
How to get there
It is impossible to get directly from Russia to Cadaques. First you need to fly to Barcelona. Read about how it’s easier and more profitable to do this. I'll tell you about the next steps. Cadaques does not have its own airport. But you can use the train, bus and rented car.
By plane
From Moscow, Aeroflot, Vueling, Iberia, and S7 airlines have direct flights to Barcelona. Travel time is 4 hours 30 minutes. One-way ticket price starts from 120 EUR.
Three airlines operate direct flights from St. Petersburg to Barcelona: Vueling, Iberia, Aeroflot. Travel time is 4 hours 15 minutes. Ticket price – from 180 EUR one way.
You can view current ticket prices.
By train
There is no direct train from Barcelona to Cadaques. This option involves a transfer in the city. A train leaves Barcelona P. Gracia station for Figueres every hour. The journey will take 1 hour 45 minutes. In Figueres you need to change to bus number 12 to Cadaques, which leaves every three hours. You can do this right where you get off the train. The journey by bus will take another hour.
The total cost of such a combined trip is from 30 EUR. It makes sense if you really love trains and adventure. Or if you want to take the opportunity to make a productive stop in Figueres: take a walk around it and go to the Dali Museum.
By bus
The most profitable, simple and fastest option. There are direct buses from Barcelona to Cadaques 5 times a day. They depart from the airport (which is especially convenient!) and from Gare du Nord, which is located near the Arc de Triomf metro station. Travel time – 3 hours. The first bus is at 08:00 in the morning, the last at 21:00 in the evening. Ticket price – 25 EUR. You can buy it in advance online or right before departure at the ticket office. The schedule changes frequently, I recommend checking it on this website.
By car
Barcelona and Cadaques are separated by 170 km. At the beginning of the journey the road is excellent, but in the second hour a mountain serpentine begins, which continues all the way to the city. If that doesn't bother you, there are plenty of local and international rental companies operating at Barcelona El Prat Airport. In a good situation (not on Fridays and holidays), you can get to Cadaqués in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Clue:
Cadaques - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 1
Kazan 1
Samara 2
Ekaterinburg 3
Novosibirsk 5
Vladivostok 8
When is the season? When is the best time to go
Cadaques is located in a unique location where the Pyrenees mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea, forming a small bay. Therefore, the climate here is unique, different from neighboring cities and villages. However, the concept of “high” and “low” seasons is the same as in other Costa Brava resorts.
The “high” season is summer, the time of beaches and warm sea. According to my observations, it is from June to August that the owners of local villas come to Cadaques from Spain and France and take a break from the city heat. The quiet, calm town is incredibly busy during these months; it is sometimes difficult to find a free place on the beach, and in restaurants it was sometimes difficult for me to get a table. But in all other months there is peace and grace here: there are only cats on the streets, there seem to be no people at all. It seemed to me that I was alone in the city. Winter and the off-season are, in my opinion, the best time for walks, excursions and leisurely exploration of the wonderful Pyrenean town.
Cadaques in summer
From June to early September, Cadaques has enviable weather: sunny and not extremely hot, unlike most Spanish resorts, where I could not go outside after lunch until the evening. The coolest month is June, the average daytime temperature is +25 °C (nighttime +18 °C). July and August are the hottest months of the year. During the day the air warms up to +28 °C, at night +20 °C. Summer water temperature is from +19 °C to +23 °C. Compared to other parts of the Spanish resort coast, this is a welcome release from the stifling summer heat. Although the sky is bright blue and the sun is every day.
I want to warn you that summer is the time for vacations and school holidays for the Spaniards and other Europeans, who literally occupy beach beds and restaurant tables. The owners of houses and villas located in the idyllic Cadaques also come here to relax.
Honestly, I advise you to come to Cadaqués any time, just not during the “high” season. Despite the presence of the sea and beaches, Cadaques is not a typical resort town. It is, first of all, a home of art and a haven for artists. Therefore, if you are striving specifically for a beach holiday, it is better to choose another place. And I recommend coming to Cadaqués in the “low” season, when you can really feel its unique bohemian atmosphere.
Cadaques in autumn
I am absolutely convinced that this is a wonderful time to visit Cadaques! September and October are a real “velvet” season, when the sultry summer sun no longer bothers you, and no one is breathing down your neck on the beach. Daytime temperatures in the first autumn months are from +22°С to +25°С, night temperatures are from +16°С to +18°С. You can also swim in the sea; the water warms up to +23°C on sunny days. In November it gets cold and often rains. The thermometer drops to +16°C, and in the evenings you really need a warm jacket.
Cadaques in spring
My favorite time in Cadaques. This is a real riot of floral aromas and lush greenery. It's still early for swimming, but this is the perfect season for walking. The temperature ranges from +15°C to +20°C. It rains no more than three days a month. Everything is waking up after winter. The air is fresh, there are no people. And short thunderstorms in spring are amazing, breathtaking beauty!
Cadaques in winter
In winter in Cadaques, I’ll be honest, the chilly weather is not the most pleasant, accompanied by piercing “tramontana” winds. The average daily air temperature is +13°C, at night the thermometer usually shows +7°C. There may be cold temperatures reaching 0°C, but this happens extremely rarely. There is no heating, the sky is dark, the hotels are cold and chilly. Local residents save themselves with a fireplace and strong drinks. I advise you to follow their example!
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
Just over 2,000 people live in Cadaqués. This is a tiny town with a medieval structure: main square + chaotic stepped streets. Of course, there are no districts here. All hotels are located inside the Old Town, in wonderful houses covered with flowers.
I want to warn you: there are no budget accommodation options in Cadaques.
During the “high” season the prices are incredible and it is impossible to book anything. On the “low” side, the most modest room (if you’re lucky enough to get it) will cost 60-70 EUR per night for two. And the average price is 100-150 EUR. Therefore, most often people come to Cadaqués only for the weekend, or even just for one day, without an overnight stay, from Barcelona.
It is convenient to choose and book accommodation on. You can look at prices for apartments, and compare the cost of hotel rooms by.
What are the prices for holidays?
Cadaques is not the cheapest city. It was once a simple fishing village, but then became famous due to Salvador Dali and the artists and poets who endlessly visited him. Now the city is a cult city, old snow-white houses are loved by wealthy gallery owners, and mostly wealthy families from Spain and France, which is nearby, come to vacation.
I always include the following items in the approximate cost of a trip: accommodation, food, transportation, cultural trips (museums, galleries, temples), souvenirs.
- The price of a double room in the historical center of the city is from 60 EUR/night.
- Lunch/dinner in an inexpensive restaurant – 15 EUR.
- The average price of a ticket to the museum is 6 EUR.
- Car rental for a day – 60 EUR.
- Local wine as a gift – 2 EUR.
Main attractions. What to see
To be honest, there are frankly few attractions in Cadaques. And yet, tourists return to it again and again. It's all about the special spirit of Cadaques, his incredibly attractive energy. I advise you not to concentrate on finding “important” places, but just walk and get lost in the chaos of cobbled narrow streets and snow-white houses. Cadaques is a city for romantic, calm and peaceful walks. The main attractions of Cadaqués will find you!
Top 5
Beaches. Which ones are better
Cadaques, despite its bohemian-artistic reputation and connection with the company of surrealists, is still a working Mediterranean resort, and not an open-air museum. Therefore, I would like to tell you more about the beaches. From the general features: they are all small, pebble and sand, picturesque, with an indented coastline and rocks.
Now let's move on to the details:
What to see in 1 day
Cadaques is one of those cities that can be explored in one day. Or even this: it’s impossible not to see it in one day. No matter how much time you spend in this wonderful city, it will be a pleasant repetition of the past. Here's the daily routine I recommend:
What to see in the area
Food. What to try
Cadaques is a city of outstanding fish restaurants. Always, everywhere and at any time of the day, I advise you to order fish and seafood here, you won’t go wrong! Almost every establishment on the shore has excellent sardines, paella, grilled shrimp, sea bream, deep-fried squid and other delicacies. Everything is fresh, and most importantly, prepared with soul!
Cadaques is a gastronomic paradise. There are more excellent fish restaurants here than residential buildings. Wealthy Spanish families often come here specifically for the sole purpose of eating seafood. In addition to the deliciousness here, most establishments are equipped with a veranda, which offers a romantic view of the sea, the Pyrenees and the orange tiled roofs of the houses. The main restaurants are located on the main square (next to the Dali monument) and the streets of the Old Town that branch off from it.
Budget
Mid-level
Expensive
Holidays
If Cadaqués weren't in Spain, it might be a nice seaside but deadly boring town. But the Spaniards, of which I am absolutely convinced, are the most cheerful people in the whole world. They love life like no other and endlessly organize holidays and festivals in every corner of their large picturesque country. Cadaques was no exception. Not a month goes by here without a colorful city event. I'll tell you about my favorites:
Safety. What to watch out for
Things to do
The most enjoyable activity in Cadaques is walking around the city. I advise you to get up early and walk at dawn one day. The city is especially beautiful at this time! To make your walk more interesting, set small goals for yourself. For example, find the Blue House and the Cat House (hint - they are located on the streets of the Old Town).
My other advice is not to be shy and communicate more with local residents. There is the highest concentration of interesting people here: artists, musicians, poets. They are all open to dialogue and are literally waiting for you to talk to them!
Shopping and shops
There are no big shops in Cadaques, only cute little shops. You can buy everything you need there: food, souvenirs, clothes. Most often, each store has its own interesting history, non-color photographs from the past hang on the walls, the kind and wise faces of the grandparents of the current owners. So shopping is like walking through a museum!
Bars. Where to go
Cadaques has plenty of fun bars, just like any Spanish city. Despite the general wealthy and aristocratic spirit of the place, the Spaniards are Spaniards. They love a simple life with its simple pleasures: a glass of beer in a good old cafe with wooden tables, and then another in a neighboring establishment. And so on until the morning. My favorite bars in Cadaques:
Clubs and nightlife
Cadaques has a lot of really fun Spanish bars and great restaurants, but there are no dance clubs. I think this is due to the fact that there are very few young people in the city. The local population is mostly aging artists, musicians and poets who enjoy hanging out with friends over a glass of beer or wine. There is no demand for nightclubs here.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
Cadaques is associated primarily with the name of Salvador Dali. Hence the whole souvenir theme. Magnets, T-shirts, postcards, art albums - everything with Dali's face on it. And if you go into the store next to his museum, your eyes will completely widen. I brought a surreal vase (10 EUR), an autobiography of the great artist (5 EUR) and a bag with a pattern copying Dali’s style (8 EUR).
How to get around the city
Cadaques is a tiny and completely pedestrian town. There are no metro, buses or trams here. The only way to travel between the beaches and to neighboring cities is by car (taxi or rented car). There are also charming tourist trains running around the city and its suburbs.
Taxi. What features exist
There are no taxis around the city. The streets are too narrow and hilly. To travel around the area, you can take a regular taxi or an electric car (they are very popular in Cadaques). I recommend the second: it’s environmentally friendly, enjoyable and a lot of fun!
The electric car seats four people plus there is a luggage compartment in the back. You can take it with a driver, but that doesn't make sense in my opinion. It is very easy to manage, but someone in your company must have the rights. There are quite a few tariffs: you can rent for an hour, for a day or to a specific attraction.
I took an electric car with a driver to the Dali Museum. It cost 8 EUR one way. There is only one company providing electric cars in the city and it is called Eco Car Cadaques. Usually in the office (address: Avinguda Caritat Serinyana, num 11) the owner Diego himself sits, a very cheerful and friendly person who will happily tell and show you everything.
As for regular taxis, they can be found in the main square and at local rental offices. Payment by meter (1 km - 1 EUR). Transfers between beaches cost from 5 EUR. You can pay either in cash or by card. Night service and travel on public holidays are charged at double rates.
Transport rental
To get around Cadaques you don't need a car at all. The city is small, and all attractions are within walking distance of each other. In addition, in the historical center there are very narrow streets, which are basically impossible to drive through. However, for traveling around the surrounding area and to neighboring wild beaches, a rented car, in my opinion, is a wonderful option!
You can rent a car only after reaching 21 years of age, with an international driving license and at least a year of driving experience. As a financial guarantee, you must leave a deposit or a credit card. The average cost of renting a car in Cadaques with insurance and navigator is 60 EUR per day. Price options can be viewed. The price of gasoline is 1.25 EUR per liter.
If you rent a car in Cadaques, I recommend remembering the following rules:
Cadaques - holidays with children
Cadaques does not have the reputation of a family resort, although it is a bay with warm seas and a good climate. But holidays here are much more expensive than in neighboring villages of the Costa Brava. In addition, the choice of hotels is not so large. Usually people come to Cadaqués from Barcelona for a weekend or just for a day, such as in!
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
