mbCDQ | 26 Nov 2018
It’s about 45 minutes in Kayak from Port Lligat to the pretty cove at Guillola. You can hire one or two-place kayaks at Kayaking Costa Brava, who are located on the beach at Port Lligat, 50 metres from the Casa/Museum Salvador Dali. We suggest setting aside at least 3 hours for this outing (You’ll need 45 minutes to get thereand 45 minutes to return)
Dates: Kayaks can only be rented in high season (June, July, August)
Prices: Approximately 20 euros/hour
For mountain bike riders who are in good shape (or bought an electric bike!), there are plenty of trails and dirt roads to explore around Cadaques and Cap de Creus. Because the village is surrounded by mountains you’ll find that most of the routes are going to involve climbs at onepoint or another. Cadaques-Cala Joncols is a dirt-road route of medium difficulty. Starting out from the beach at Llané Gran we climb 180 metres in 2 km as we leave Cadaques. The view back over the village and the bay is worth stopping for (Also a good excuse for catching your breath). The next section is relatively flat and lasts about 2.5 km before we begin a long descent which takes us back down to sea level. At the bottom of the hill, take a left and cycle afurther 0.5 kilometres to reach Cala Joncols. On the return trip this long descent becomes a very long climb, so get some rest, eat and hydrate before attempting the journey back.
Here you can see the entire route:
Salvador Dali not only lived in Cadaqués, but the village and its surroundings also provided inspiration for his paintings. Thanks to the work of the townhall and various charitable organisations we can see copies of Dalí's work erected right next to the landscapes which inspired them. The walking route takes us from the painter's house in Port Lligat to the beach at Sa Conca, passing mainly along the sea front. In total, there are 15 works on the route, largely from the artist’s early years. Perhaps the most famous painting is Port Alguer, a cubist inspired work which depicts 2 women of Cadaques carrying traditional green jars on their heads as they walk down the Riba de Pitxot.
Cap de Creus is the most easterly point on the Iberian Peninsula and consequently it’s the firstplace in Spain to see the sun each day. The cape has fantastic views in all directions, but particularly to the west, with Cadaques in the distance, and to the coast of the Alt Empordá in the east, with France and the Pyrenees providing a spectacular backdrop. In summer the sunrises around 06:00 – 06:30, so you’ll need to set your alarm! Afterwards, talk a little stroll until the bar at the lighthouse opens, or wait a little longer and order a delicious chocolate cake at the Cap de Creus restaurant (Find the contact details of the bar and restaurant in our Cadaques restaurants sections).
Any discussion about the weather in the Alt Emporda will invariably centre around the regions many winds. The Tramuntana, which blows down from the Pyrenees, is undoubtedly the most well-known, and its effects on the area and its people have been discussed by writers, journalists and psychologists for years. Fans of Windsurfing tend to use the beach at Ros as a starting point and cross the narrow bayfrom one rocky side to another. On one of the frequent days with strong wind, windsurfers can reach speeds that seem pretty frightening to us mere mortals, so exercise caution. It’s also worth remembering that the bay sees very heavy pleasure boat traffic in summer months.
A word of warning: The winds in Cadaques can be very changeable. We recommend checking a specialised meteorological website like Wind Guru before planning your day.
A 4km path (Not mountain bike friendly) takes us from the beach at Sa Conca to the lighthouse at Cala Nans, on the headland which serves as the entrance to the bay of Cadaques. With a couple of steep climbs to get up, this route is not suitable for everyone; and anyone with vertigo might find the final cliff-hugging section a little bit nerve-wracking, though a rope handrail provides additional reassurance. Roughly ten minutes before the lighthouse you’ll see the lovely cove of Sa Cebolla below you. Its crystal clear waters (unless its windy!) make it an obligatory stop for beach lovers, though there is an almost total lack of shade in summer (Gingers, you have been warned!)
Everything you need to know about Cadaques from the best beaches in the area, to walking routes in the Cap de Creus Natural Park and advice for visiting the Casa/Museu Salvador Dali.
Our guide to the many restaurants and bars of Cadaques, Spain. From former hippy hangouts to live music venues and sophisticated waterside dining, there are more than 100 bars and restaurants to choose from.
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Prepare for your trip to Spain by listening to these simple conversations.
