We may not be too objective with this statement, but we have to confess something: Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia, brings us upside down. Every year we try to escape several times and it is that for us it is the perfect town to disconnect and relax, especially after the summer season, in which the town welcomes everyone who wants to come to visit it, which are not few.
This year we have returned to fulfill the tradition and we have spent a weekend in which we have taken advantage, in addition to touring the town (for the umpteenth time) and eating well, doing some hiking route, which has made us, more if fits, fall in love with this incredible area of the Costa Brava.
We will not be so bold as Salvador Dalí, who said that Cadaqués is the most beautiful town in the world, but we will say that it is one of the most beautiful we have visited and for us, the most essential town to see in Catalonia, without any doubt.
We could spend days and days giving the reasons why Cadaqués is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, but since this would be too long, we leave you with what are, for us, reasons to return, year after year, to this amazing town.
- We cannot start without highlighting its isolated situation in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, in the beautiful region of Alt Empordá.
Cadaqués viewpoint towards Cala Nans
- The perfect conservation of the town, which does not take away the charm of its past as a fishing village in which its white houses and narrow stone streets full of plants and flowers stand out, for which it is a wonder to get lost among art galleries and beautiful shops .
Cadaqués streets
- Its delicious cuisine, with restaurants serving fish of the day and its famous dish suquet de peix. Nor can we miss its famous coves and beaches, with its fishing boats swaying to the beat of the waves or other more hidden in which its crystalline waters stand out, perfect for snorkeling or diving.
Cadaqués coves
- Hiking or trekking is that for those who like to enjoy nature, from Cadaqués we have several routes along old roads and Roads of Ronda, in which we will not stop having incredible views of spectacular landscapes between cliffs.
Natural Park of Cap de Creus
We have to keep in mind that Cadaqués, one of the most beautiful villages in Girona, although we can arrive by boat or by road, is especially known for a certain geographical isolation. While other villages are easily accessed from highways or roads where driving is pleasant, to reach Cadaqués we will have to overcome a good number of curves from the neighboring town of Roses, in addition to overcoming a few kilometers of caravan, especially in season high.
On this occasion we have stayed at the Hotel Tarongeta, a perfect option since in addition to being right at the entrance of the town, but only a few meters from the beach, it has free parking, something to keep in mind if you come by car The rooms are not especially large, but very comfortable to spend a few days, with a small terrace overlooking the church and part of the town.
A good option if you do not have a car is to book this tour that includes a visit to Port Lligat, Figueras, Cadaqués and Cap de Creus with a guide in Spanish.
To start a route by Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia We recommend you go up to the Church of Santa María, where your entrance deserves special attention and especially the views of Cadaqués from the small square where it is located from where we will have unique views of the town's profile, with its reddish roofs with the Mediterranean in the background, dotted with boats rocking in the waves.
Viewpoint of the Santa María de Cadaqués Church
From this point we can only recommend that you miss out and it is that around the church the historical center of Cadaqués is formed and the best way to know it in alley without direction, leaving you to be surprised at every step you take, delighting in the mixture of colors, which seem taken from a painting, smells and corners with charm that you will find every minute.
Streets of Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia.
After touring this part of the town and entering some of its shops and art galleries, you can go to the beach and walk along the promenade to have another perspective of Cadaqués, where the noise of the breaking waves forms part of the landscape and is becomes the soundtrack that will surely accompany you throughout the ride
Cadaqués seafront
Before reaching the part of the promenade of Riba des Poal, it is a good idea to go up Puig Vidal street to follow a sign that will mark the restaurant Es Balconet, our favorite in Cadaqués where you can eat a paella (100% recommended) or the fresh fish of the day, plus many more dishes. If you want to ensure the best table, do not forget to call: they have two lovely small balconies, with a table each, surrounded by beautiful bougainvillea, which are for a romantic meal, the perfect tables.
Cadaqués streets
After a walk through the town and having tasted the gastronomy, we can go to bathe in one of its coves or have a drink in one of the terraces of the promenade, where you will find lovely places where you will have the sea practically next door. This photo terrace that is located in the part of Riba Pitxot and is one of our favorites.
Terrace in Cadaqués
Before nightfall we recommend you to take another walk through the streets of Cadaqués, since at this time the town is transformed, giving the visitor a much more serene face, at which time to continue touring the town, while the sun goes down it becomes a unique experience in which to find charming corners or enter a store to buy a gift of Dalinian inspiration.
And we cannot forget that great artists have visited Cadaqués over time, but it was Dalí who placed it on the international map, since he lived a large part of his life with his wife Gala at his home in Port Lligat, so we will see many references in the town to the great painter, including a statue on the seafront.
Cadaqués white houses
After this relaxing walk, you cannot miss returning to the sea to explore the illuminated town at night and have unique views of Cadaqués's profile while the sun goes down. This experience should be almost an obligation, highlighting Victor Rahola Avenue, from where you will have privileged views of the town and where you can sit on one of its banks to enjoy them and record them on the retina.
Cadaqués at night
In addition to the visit to the town, this weekend we wanted to make two routes that start from most beautiful town in Catalonia.
The first is a walking route along the Old Path of Cadaqués to the Cap de Creus Lighthouse of about 15 km and about 5 or 6 hours, depending on the stops. If you want to bathe in one of the coves that you will go through and / or eat at the Cap de Creus Lighthouse you can get to invest a whole day although if you only have half a day to do this route, we recommend you leave early to have a good light and arrive soon at the Cap de Creus lighthouse, thus avoiding the hottest hours and taking advantage of the first hours of the day.
The route through the Cap de Creus Natural Park will start by climbing to the top of Cadaqués, passing through the Sant Baldiri chapel and its cemetery and then down to Port Lligat, where you can visit the house of Salvador Dalí, which we already visited in another getaway and we can say that it is very worthwhile.
Sunrise in Port Lligat
Once you leave Port Lligat, you will climb again to take the old road and follow the route. Keep in mind that all points are well signposted, but it is not too bad to carry Google Maps or a map on your mobile, since for almost 99% of the route you will have coverage and it can serve as a signaling support point.
Old road from Cadaqués to Cap de Creus
Another thing to keep in mind is that in this area the effect of the wind, tramontana, has made capricious forms of erosion appear on the rocks and has transformed the landscape, so during the tour it is very worthwhile to be attentive to go discovering hidden coves among the vegetation and cliffs that will surprise you from afar. The road is not hard, but it is not flat, so it is advisable to take it easy if you do not have much physical form and above all, it is advisable to bring water, since you will not find any place to buy until you reach Cap de Creus.
En route to Cap de Creus
Once you reach the lighthouse of Cap de Creus, the ideal time to have a drink in one of its terraces comes, with spectacular views, although we can also continue about 10 minutes more until we reach the end of the cliffs of the Natural Park.
Cap de Creus lighthouse
From this point it is time to go around Cadaqués. Keep in mind that if you do not want to go on the old road, which you have come for, you can choose to travel the road that is much flatter and has less difficulty. This route on foot one of the best things to do in Girona.
Another route that we recommend is the one that goes from the town of Cadaqués to the lighthouse of Cala Nans, in the opposite direction to that of Cap de Creus. This route is less demanding than the first, but not less spectacular, but quite the opposite.
The first section of the climb is the hardest, but the views you will have of Cadaqués, without a doubt, are the best you can have, so it is worth and worth it to get here.
Cadaqués viewpoint towards Cala Nans
This Camino de Ronda, which runs along the sea until reaching the lighthouse of Cala Nans is spectacular and is about 5 km that will take you about two hours approximately with stops.
Cala Nans Lighthouse
Something that is charming is to find yourself among the cliffs several hidden coves, which can be accessed, always carefully, from the Camino de Ronda itself or by boat from the sea.
Cala Nans
Once you get to the lighthouse, you just have to enjoy the views and return to Cadaqués with a smile from ear to ear, returning to enjoy the incredible landscapes. This part of the road near the lighthouse is the one that if you have a little vertigo can cost you a little more, since it runs along a fairly steep cliff.
Road to the Cala Nans Lighthouse
Once these two routes are finished and we have visited the town, we only have to say goodbye to Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia, and think about returning next year. You dare?
Cadaqués, the most beautiful town in Catalonia
