Cadaqués, A Town That Inspired Dalí

Cadaqués is one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava, Catalonia and all of Spain. It is not surprising, therefore, that he inspired the great painter and artist Salvador Dalí, the greatest national exponent of surrealism and a creator with his own overwhelming personality.

What is Cadaqués like?

If you think of Cadaqués, it may not particularly attract your attention. A small fishing village in Alto Ampurdán, already almost bordering France, and isolated between Cap de Creus and the Peni mountains. However, both those who have been in it and those who have seen it in photographs, maintain that it is a truly spectacular enclave.

In addition, Cadaqués is world famous today for hosting the house where the great Salvador Dalí lived years ago for a good part of his existence. Today you can visit his home, a few kilometers from the town center, located in Portlligat.

But there are more attractions that make Cadaqués a magical place. For example, its plethora of small white houses give the town a fantasy image taken from the last century or from a story from One Thousand and One Nights .

And if what you like is good gastronomy, you will also find in Cadaqués a unique place to taste a delicious rice from the area that can be washed down with the typical wines of the Empordà lands, with strong flavors that do not leave anyone indifferent. .

Cadaqués has become an idyllic setting thanks to the care and pampering of its people, who are always friendly and hospitable. The beautiful fishing port, the beaches, which offer fantastic sunsets with the reflection of the sun on the sea and the white houses, the always clean and charming streets or the walks near the sea have transformed the town into an ideal destination for couples and romantics. .

Dalí’s work

If you like art and the great work of Salvador Dalí, it is evident that Cadaqués is a mandatory destination. From this town on the Costa Brava you can:

• Approach Portlligat, about 5 kilometers from Cadaqués. There you can access what was his home and workshop for years, which over time became a work of art that is well worth a visit today.
• You can also go to Figueras, Dalí’s hometown, and the place where he was born. Today it houses the museum dedicated to the work of the brilliant Catalan painter. It is located just 30 kilometers from Cadaqués, so it is worth making a getaway and enjoying this exciting and surreal place.

Dalí House-Museum

If you are going to visit Cadaqués, an experience that we undoubtedly recommend, you have to make a gap in your agenda to visit the Dalí House-Museum, a few kilometers away, located in Portlligat, and a true pilgrimage place for lovers of surrealism. and the art.

Dalí transformed a group of barracks once inhabited by fishermen to make it his largest pictorial production center and place of residence for 40 years. Over time he created a magical space full of furniture and items that the great artist collected throughout his life to form an area as extravagant as it was absorbing.

Cadaqués, a town with art

The influence of Salvador Dalí in Cadaqués and the beauty of its coves and corners have made over the years that some of the most influential artists in history ended up residing in the Girona town of Alto Ampurdán.

Among the most influential names who have had good times in Cadaqués, making their name resonate throughout the world, include great painters such as Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Joan Josep Tharrats and Antoni Titxot.

Observing the wonderful beauty of the town of Cadaqués, it is not surprising that it has served as an inspiration for dozens of artists in recent years. Few places retain the magical, romantic and attractive charm like this small town in Girona in Alto Ampurdán,  despite the abuse of excessive tourism and the passage of time.

Thus, it is clear that Dalí’s footprint is very noticeable on the coast of Cadaqués. But the fishing village itself has served to attract this and other greats on the world scene, which is why it has earned in its own right being one of the most beautiful towns in Catalonia and Spain.