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Cadaques Photos: You’ll Want to Visit this Lovely Dali Town

Yes, Barcelona has Gaudi.

But Cadaques has Dali.

Pronounced “Cad-ack-ess,” it’s one of the prettiest seaside towns along Spain’s Costa Brava (“rugged coast” or “wild coast”) – and the inspiration for many of the famed surrealist painter’s creations.

And once you see these Cadaques photos, you’re sure to be inspired to visit this corner of Dali country!

photos of Cadaques

Dali triangle

For several decades from 1930 on, Salvador Dali lived with his Russian muse Gala in a whimsical white waterfront home they designed and built. Today, it’s a museum – the Salvador Dali House in Cadaques.

We don’t confess to understand Dali’s weird and wonderful artistic creations incorporating lobsters, eggs and mechanical contraptions.

But it’s fun to see the places where artists have lived and the influences that helped shape their work. (In Guanajuato, we enjoyed touring the home where Mexican muralist Diego Rivera was born.)

We visited the Costa Brava region for a little over a week, hanging out on some of the best Costa Brava beaches, hiking, eating yummy Spanish food and visiting quaint towns. For half of that time, we based ourselves in Roses (at the fabulous Hotel Vistabella).

There are three museums in the Costa Brava that showcase the life and work of Dali: Dali Theater and Museum in Figueres, Gala-Dali Castle Museum-House in Pubol and the Salvador Dali Museum in Port Lligat.

Together, they make up what is known as the “Dali Triangle.”

Unfortunately, we only had a day to dabble in Dali country. And we devoted it to visiting Cadaques and the Salvador Dali Museum. Great decision!

Cadaques photos that will make you want to visit

Cadaques photos

From Roses, we drove the tortuous mountain road leading to Cadaques, parked the car in a lot outside the town and walked in. (The town is made for pedestrians – no cars are allowed inside the inner town.)

Cadaques is absolutely delightful; it’s easy to see why Dali loved living and working there.

Now, without further ado, here are some of our Cadaques images…

We don’t suggest these are the most brilliant photos; by following a few easy travel photography tips, you can probably take far better photos! But we hope you enjoy these anyway :-).

Cobbled streets

Cadaques street

What to see in Cadaques?

Well, check out all the cobbled streets that wind up, down and around art galleries, attractive cafés and small hotels.

photos of Cadaques

Cadaques’ answer to public art

Cadaques painted electrical panel

An art gallery owner mentioned that artists have taken to painting the electrical panel covers on the walls of the buildings.

No rough graffiti here – scenes of fishing boats, landscapes and portraits catch the eye.

What’s a cute European town without cute cats?

Cadaques cat

Plant pots are good places to nap if you’re a furry feline!

photos of Cadaques

The Cadaques harbor

Cadaques harbor

Small fishing boats bob in Cadaques’ harbor.

In summer, boat tours leave from Roses for Cadaques, landing directly on this beach in the middle of the town center.

Salvador Dali’s studio

Salvador Dali House Museum

After exploring the town, we walked from Cadaques to teeny-tiny Port Lligat (about 15 minutes away), which is where the Dali Museum is located. (Visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in Cadaques.)

The sprawling house that Dali and Gala shared is not one building, but actually five fishermen’s houses that were joined together.

In the studio, Dali painted while seated at a giant easel which could be moved up and down.

Here’s a picture of one of the last of Salvador Dali’s paintings – unfinished – waiting for the moustachioed artist to complete it…

photos of Cadaques

The resort-like Dali House Museum gardens and grounds

Salvador Dali House pool

The beautiful terraced gardens and grounds boast olive groves, sea views, egg-shaped sculptures – and even a swimming pool.

Dali and Gala must have loved whiling away lazy summer afternoons around the pool, sipping on Spanish wines and watching fishing boats come and go…

Dali egg sculpture
Salvador Dali House swimming pool
sea views from Dali's garden

Visiting the Salvador Dali House, Cadaques

Reservations needed for Dali tickets

Reservations are required to tour the Salvador Dali House in Cadaques. Small groups of up to eight people are allowed in every 10 minutes for a 50-minute visit.

If you don’t show up within 30 minutes of your timed reservation, your Dali tickets (and reserved spot) are resold to visitors on a wait list.

We didn’t have an advance reservation; we would have had to wait several days for the next available reservation. So we simply took our chances. On our late September afternoon visit, we were lucky and only had to wait 40 minutes for two spots to open up for us.

Taking photos

You’re allowed to take pictures of Salvador Dali’s paintings on display.

More information

See the Salvador Dali House Museum website.

Where else to visit in Costa Brava?

There are so many more beautiful villages near Barcelona too. Like secret Tivissa. And Tossa de Mar. And Miravet with its 12th century castle.

Guess we’re going to have to plan another trip to the Spanish Catalonia region!

Get more Europe inspiration!

Dresden: What to do in Dresden? Gape at the treasure in the historic Green Vault museum. See the beautiful Zwinger Palace. Bicycle along the Elbe River. And more!

Dubrovnik: Get high! Walk the Dubvrovnik city walls.

Mallorca: Hiking the oh-so-picturesque countryside? Swimming at ravishing beach coves? Touring manor houses oozing with history? Check out these delightful things to do in Mallorca.

Our top travel tips and resources

Here are our favorite travel resources:

Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)

Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).

Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out GetYourGuide and Viator.

Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.

Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)

Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.

Pssst! If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!


Here’s a good pin to pin to your board :-).

Cadaques photos

All Cadaques photos: © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase (except 1 and 2)


About the authors

Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.

Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!

Mary

Thursday 11th of April 2019

Have tickets to see the Dalí House in two weeks. Is there parking near it? You had mentioned that the drive to Cadaques was tortuous. What did you mean by that? I’m afraid of heights and very, very curvy and narrow roads but was it safe? Did it have barriers? Would it be similar driving through the TN mountains? I am getting anxious and scared. :). Also, any great restaurants to go for lunch before the tour you could suggest? Thank you!

Janice and George

Thursday 11th of April 2019

Exciting! You'll love your visit to the Dali House :-). Yes, there's a small parking lot on the edge of Cadaques; from there, you can walk into town and to Port Lligat where the Dali House is. There's also a car park at Port Lligat beach, just outside the Salvador Dali House Museum. The road to get to Cadaques is safe :-). Many people drive it every day. Just drive carefully - passengers will love the scenery! As for restaurants, we didn't eat in Cadaques. But this article on "The Best Restaurants in Cadaques, Spain" might be helpful. Have fun!

dorothyadele

Tuesday 14th of November 2017

We had visited Salvador Dali's museum in Montmartre but we missed it while in Spain and plan to return. The photos are eye-catching.

Janice and George

Tuesday 14th of November 2017

Yes, and we missed the theater-museum and jewels in Figueres... At least you got a little Dali fix in Montmartre!

Becky

Tuesday 7th of November 2017

Dali country indeed! Looks fabulous and lovely photos as usual!

Janice and George

Wednesday 8th of November 2017

We'd go back to Dali country :-). Thanks for taking the time to comment :-)

Victoria

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

I absolutely love your post!

Spain has always been a love of mine with cobbled stones, windy lanes, blue skies and characteristic people!

'Nice one!

Janice and George

Tuesday 24th of October 2017

Thanks so much - happy you like our post :-). We'd love to explore more of Spain now... Seville, Madrid, Granada... And we could happily go back and spend more time in the Costa Brava area!

Becky Padmore

Saturday 21st of October 2017

What a gorgeous looking place, those cobbled streets are so quaint and lovely!

Janice and George

Saturday 21st of October 2017

You'd get some exercise going up and down those streets every day :-). But it's such a pretty place, people who live there probably don't mind!