Was it the unique light and landscape of Cadaqués which inspired the magical visions of Salvador Dalí — Dalí spent his summers here as a child, and he continued to return with friends throughout his life — or was it Dalí's art which fuelled a broader awareness of this corner of the Costa Brava? With a rocky coastline bordered by pretty pebbled beaches and a maze of whitewashed houses with terracotta-tiled roofs, it's easy to see why this little community had such enduring charm. Intimate and historic, the best places to stay in Cadaqués are brilliant for relaxed holidaymakers eager to immerse themselves in its magic. We've discovered chic little boutique pads, family friendly villa style hotels and a tranquil, adults-only escape just out of town.
Stroll along the shore to sunbathe or swim in bright blue Mediterranean waters, or venture into labyrinthine streets lined with white-painted churches, shops, bars and eateries. Art aficionados will be thrilled to see Dalí’s house in Port Lligat, and to admire works by Miro, Picasso and Niebla at the Cadaqués Museu de Arte. For more of a sense of Salvador Dalí’s life, head to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, where he was born, or to the Gala Dalí Castle Museum at Pubol.
Cadaqués is separated from much of the Costa Brava by the dramatic Cape of Creus, the most easterly point on the Spanish mainland. Shaped by the Tramuntana winds, the coastline is spectacular, and hikes within the Cap de Creus National Park offer wonderful views of craggy rock formations and the sea beyond. You can expect sensational panoramas from some of the best places to stay in Cadaqués, too.
