What to see and do in Cadaqués, a beautiful town on the Costa Brava

I had been wanting to return to Cadaqués, a town that I had visited for the only time so many years ago that I barely remembered.

In my most recent travel to Catalonia I have had the opportunity to walk again through what, without a doubt, is one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava.

And the good thing is that it was not in the high summer season, when I understand that Cadaqués It is one of those very attractive places whose visit is difficult due to the excess of tourists.

Even if you don't know it, you've probably heard of it. coastal town of Alto Ampurdán, In the Girona province, and you have also surely seen photos of its most famous panoramic views.

This will largely happen due to the linking of Cadaqués to one of the most famous artists in our country, the Empordà native Salvador Dalí, whose museum house you can visit in the nearby corner of Portlligat.

The truth is that Cadaqués It is a beautiful coastal town located in a natural harbor.

In this place, tourism already began to develop in the 60s of the last century, and today it continues to be one of the most touristic enclaves of the Costa Brava and of all Catalonia.

But beyond this sun and beach tourist attraction, what attracted me most to return to Cadaqués was its most cultural facet, in addition to checking if it still maintains that charm typical of a Mediterranean fishing village.

And I will tell you that yes, that Cadaqués keep that special charm, since the evident urban development has not broken the beautiful scenes of a fishing village Mediterranean coast.

Curiosities history of Cadaqués, Dalí's town

With regard to the history of Cadaqués, the first references to the town date back to the 9th century, although in the 11th century there is already talk of a Fisher's town, surrounded by coves and vineyards.

Cadaqués It is located in a bay that becomes a natural harbor, which was frequently attacked by Genoese corsairs and Algerian and Turkish pirates.

For this reason a wall was built, which did not prevent Cadaqués was attacked and destroyed in 1543 by the barbarossa pirate, who also razed his church.

On the other hand, in the medieval times there was Jewish community in Cadaqués, so now you can walk through the old Jewish neighborhood whose main reference was a synagogue that disappeared in the 15th century, and of which some vestige still remains.

In recent times, this coastal town has become a artists meeting point Spanish and from other countries.

Beyond the aforementioned stay of Dalí in Portlligat, it is worth mentioning like others illustrious visitors of Cadaqués a Picasso, Max Ernst o Antonio Pitxot, as well as writers like García Lorca, Josep Pla o Eugenio D'Ors.

The best things to see and do in Cadaqués in one day

Surely the image you have of Cadaqués is linked to their White Houses.

But you will be curious to know that the structure of the town's buildings is supported by black slate stones, an element that will have great prominence during your walk through the historic center.

What's more, in medieval times all the houses in the then coastal village had slate facades, but as in other places, they were whitewashed to prevent the spread of the plague.

Cadaqués seafront promenade

During your visit of Cadaqués you will have to walk through its serpentine promenade, which due to its orientation is in the morning when it shows its brightest image.

Of the buildings you will see, the most striking is undoubtedly the Casa Blaua de modernist style; built at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Salvador Sellés and Baró, is now owned by an Italian resident.

Wall of Cadaqués

To access the historic center of Cadaqués, you will go through one of the remaining doors of the old wall, and it will begin to climb through narrow streets with a striking road of rounded black stones.

In these streets you will find various art Galeries that contribute to maintaining the artistic atmosphere that has always characterized Cadaqués. and you will also walk through the narrow streets of the old Jewish neighborhood.

Church of Santa María in Cadaqués

You will reach the part of the hill where the parish church of Santa María, from the mid-16th century and late gothic style.

This building was built to replace the church that was destroyed Barbarossa, and this work was financed by the town's fishermen.

Inside, without a doubt, its huge baroque altarpiece 23 meters high dedicated to the Virgin of Hope, from the year 1729, unique in the world for its depth.

Your attention will be drawn to the two figures of Atlanteans that support the altarpiece, who with their clothing represent the fishermen who financed the construction of the church.

On the contrary, the organ of 1689 is the smallest and oldest in Catalonia,

Currently it is played daily by an 80-year-old French organist living in the town, who is worried because she cannot find anyone who wants to learn to play it.

From the viewpoint that opens in front of the church façade you have beautiful panoramic views of the town.

What to see and visit around Cadaqués

Tu visit of Cadaqués you will have to complete it with others visits in its surroundings.

Of course, it is worth knowing the aforementioned Dalí house-museum, another example of the brilliant imagination of the Empordà artist.

It is also one of the axes of what is known as Dalí Triangle of the Costa Brava, which is completed with the Dalí Museum in Figueras and Pubol castle.

Another tip is to keep approaching the Cape Creus Lighthouse, from 1853, the second oldest in Catalonia, and an ideal place to watch the sunset while enjoying the nature landscapes of the Cap de Creus natural park.

And from the cultural level, you are not far away from Romanesque monastery of Sant Pere de Rodas, from the 10th century, and from whose remains you have excellent panoramic views of the aforementioned natural park.

If you are fond of wine tourism, I advise you to visit the Celler Martín Faixo farmhouse, a 14th century building that was an old fortress of the aforementioned Benedictine monastery, which you find at the top of the winding route that from Roses takes you to Cadaqués.

It currently houses a family winery that since 2007 has been producing organic wine harvested by hand in the 16 hectares of vines that extend through the natural park.

You also have the possibility of staying in this enclave surrounded by vineyards and from where you have beautiful views of the natural park and Cadaqués.

I will also tell you that in the town itself you have the Enacoteca MF, from the same family, a good place to taste delicious tapas and portions good gourmet food and taste their wines.

And at the time of sleep in CadaquésI can advise you hotel Sol Ixent, a very pleasant Mediterranean-style holiday establishment where we stayed on our recent trip to this beautiful town on the Costa Brava.

Photos of Cadaqués in Costa Brava

Here you have more photos of the charming town of Cadaqués on the Costa Brava of Catalonia.

Map: how to get to Cadaqués

Cadaqués You find it on the peninsula that forms the Cap de Creus natural park, and on the coast you have it north of the very touristy towns of Rosas and Ampuriabrava.