What to See and Do in Cadaques, Spain

Cadaques has an old quarter with plentiful galleries, art and craft shops, along with clothes. Most shops only open on weekends in the winter, but Cadaques jumps from Easter on. The climate is mild doesn’t get too hot in summer. Information Office told us that the Tramontana can result in very “uncomfortable” weather during the winter (as if we hadn’t already found that out for ourselves).

Salvador Dali is the big claim to fame for Cadaques and there were posters, reproductions and statues throughout Cadaques. We both really enjoyed the reproductions along the waterfront that showed exactly what Dali was looking at when he painted it. Most of them were even recognizable! Santa Maria Church in the center of the village had a fantastic baroque altar completed in 1729 of gilded wood and dedicated to “Our lady of hope.” It was behind bars that are only opened for Mass and the Church is the highest point of the old town.

Dali painting of Santa Maria Church in the background, Cadaques, Spain 

Santa Maria Church altar, Cadaques, Spain
Once you begin walking around Cadaques, it’s difficult to stop. Every corner, small, winding alleys leading down to the waterfront…View image, trails around the mountainside…View image, narrow streets paved with hook-shaped stones all offered a multitude of different (and very scenic) views and gave reasons to stop, look and park yourself on one of the many benches found throughout Cadaques.

There was an occasional wall decorated with tiles, cute weather vanes…View image, and a window filled with “Burilles”…View image…

dancing the “Sardana” – a Catalonia circle dance in Cadaques, Spain 

Cadaques distinctive and crunchy Burilles in the bakery window, Spain
The impossible to miss, ornate “Casa Blue” built in 1901 by a financially successful inhabitant of Cadaques …View image, and more typical, quaint and charming houses on the many side streets.

Casa Blue in Cadaques, Spain 

sights down a Cadaques street, spain
Cadaques is only about 2-1/2 hours from Barcelona, attracting people who want a second home to spend weekends and summers. There are also many Music Festivals arranged by the Cadaques Chamber of Commerce. A Pablo Casals Chamber Music Festival is held yearly and will take place July 26-August 13, 2009.

Thought we were done? No, there was still time to walk to Port Lligat and visit Salvador Dali’s home…

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