Cadaqués Holidays: Dalí's House, Beaches and Cap de Creus
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 2,894 residents · on the coast
Salvador Dalí House Museum.jpg/500px-Castell_de_St._Jaume_o_de_les_Creus_(Cadaqu%C3%A9s%2C_Alt_Empord%C3%A0%2C_Catalunya).jpg)
Castell de Sant Jaume
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Far de Cala Nans
Platja de Sa SabollaCadaqués is a small Catalan seaside town of fewer than 3,000 people, set almost at sea level on the Costa Brava in the province of Girona. Its appeal is unusually concentrated. Platja Gran sits right by the centre, a cluster of further beaches lies within a mile or two, and the Salvador Dalí House Museum is barely half a mile away. Beyond the town, the Cap de Creus natural park holds two lighthouses on the headland. Summers are warm and dry, with July and August reaching around 30°C. Girona airport, under an hour's drive, has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes Cadaqués as practical for a week by the water as it is for a cultural long weekend.
Why go
- The Salvador Dalí House Museum is just over half a mile from the town centre.
- Platja Gran, Platja des Poal and Platja de Port Alguer are all within a short stroll.
- Girona airport has direct UK flights and is roughly 53 minutes away by car.
Top sights in Cadaqués
Dalí, Lighthouses and Little Beaches
The best-known sight is the Salvador Dalí House Museum, about 0.6 miles from the centre and the reason many travellers come in the first place. Closer still, roughly a quarter of a mile away, stands the Castell de Sant Jaume, a listed cultural property worth folding into a walk around town.
For open views, head into the Cap de Creus natural park. The Far de Cala Nans lighthouse is about 1.3 miles out, and the Far de Cap de Creus lighthouse around 2.9 miles away marks the headland itself. Beaches are everywhere: Platja Gran is practically on the doorstep, Platja des Poal and Platja de Port Alguer are within a few hundred yards, Platja de Portlligat is about 0.6 miles away, and Platja d'en Ballesta, Platja de s'Alqueria, Platja de Sa Sabolla, Platja de Sant Lluís and Platja de Guillola lie between roughly 0.8 and 1.6 miles out. Cala Pelosa, around 3.2 miles away, is the furthest.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, with around 49 activities currently listed.
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Tours & tickets in Cadaqués
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Cadaqués can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Cadaqués
Choosing Your Base in Cadaqués
Cadaqués is compact, so almost anywhere puts you close to the water. Staying near Platja Gran and Platja des Poal keeps the town beaches, the Castell de Sant Jaume and the evening life of the centre within a few minutes on foot, which suits families who want everything close by.
If you would rather be a little quieter, look towards the Portlligat side, near the Dalí House Museum and Platja de Portlligat, or out towards the smaller coves on the way to Cap de Creus. You trade a short walk or drive into town for a calmer setting. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Cadaqués and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 53 min away.
Best time to visit Cadaqués
When to Visit Cadaqués
- 13°CJan30 mm
- 15°CFeb43 mm
- 17°CMar49 mm
- 19°CApr45 mm
- 21°CMay75 mm
- 27°CJun39 mm
- 30°CJul12 mm
- 30°CAug40 mm
- 26°CSept49 mm
- 23°COct49 mm
- 18°CNov50 mm
- 14°CDec40 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
June to September is the most pleasant stretch. June reaches around 27°C, July and August are the hottest months at about 30°C by day and 22°C at night, and September eases back to around 26°C. July is also the driest month, with only about 12 mm of rain across four or so wet days.
May is the wettest month, with roughly 75 mm of rain over about 12 days, and October also sees around 10 rainy days, so pack a light layer in spring and autumn. Winter is mild rather than warm, with January highs near 13°C, which suits a quiet visit to the Dalí House Museum more than a beach holiday.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 30 mm | 7 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 7°C | 43 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 10°C | 49 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 12°C | 45 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 14°C | 75 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 39 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 22°C | 12 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 22°C | 40 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 18°C | 49 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 49 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 50 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 40 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Cadaqués from the UK
Girona is the nearest airport, about 37 miles away and around 53 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona airport also has direct UK flights; it is roughly 92 miles away, about two hours and ten minutes' drive. Reus, also served directly from the UK, is around 134 miles away, a drive of a little over three hours.
The port of Barcelona, about 85 miles from Cadaqués, has ferries to the Balearic Islands, Italy and Morocco, useful if you are combining the Costa Brava with a wider trip. Drivers coming all the way from home should allow around 14 hours from Calais.
By air
- Girona (GRO)37 miles, about 53 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)92 miles, about 2 h 11 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)134 miles, about 3 h 11 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (85 miles).
Cadaqués is good for
Around Cadaqués
Day Trips Along the Costa Brava
El Port de la Selva, a village of under a thousand people, is just 5 miles away, and Roses, a much larger resort, is about 6 miles off. Empuriabrava lies around 9 miles away, and Figueres, the biggest town in the area, is roughly 16 miles inland.
Further south, Torroella de Montgrí is about 19 miles away, small Verges around 20 miles, and Pals and Begur roughly 23 and 24 miles respectively, which makes a good full day out down the coast.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
With a population of under 3,000, Cadaqués has a limited supply of rooms, so in the peak months of July and August it pays to book early.
The town sits only 16 metres above the sea and the main beaches are within a few hundred yards of the centre, so you can manage much of a stay on foot. Car hire is still worth considering for the Cap de Creus lighthouses, the further coves such as Cala Pelosa, and the drive from Girona airport.
If you travel in May or October, the rainiest periods, plan an indoor alternative such as the Dalí House Museum for wetter days.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Cadaqués?
Girona airport is the closest, about 37 miles away and roughly 53 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona airport, around 92 miles and just over two hours' drive, is the main alternative and also has direct UK flights.
Is Cadaqués good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Platja Gran is right by the centre, Platja des Poal and Platja de Port Alguer are a few hundred yards away, and several more beaches lie within about a mile and a half. Summer highs of 27°C to 30°C suit a June to September visit.
How far is the Salvador Dalí House Museum from Cadaqués?
The Salvador Dalí House Museum is about 0.6 miles from the centre of Cadaqués, close to Platja de Portlligat. It is the town's best-known sight, and tours and tickets can be booked from this page.
When is the best time to visit Cadaqués?
June to September offers the most pleasant conditions. July and August are hottest at around 30°C, and July is the driest month. May is the wettest, with about 12 rainy days, so early summer or September is a good balance.
Can I drive to Cadaqués from the UK?
Yes. From Calais the drive takes around 14 hours, so most people break it into two days. Once there, a car is handy for reaching the Far de Cap de Creus lighthouse, roughly 2.9 miles away, and nearby towns such as Roses and Figueres.