Location

Cadaques


 

The beautiful village of Cadaqués lies on the peninsula of Cape Creus, on one of the slopes looking out over the bay, and it is hard to know what is more surprising: whether it is the scenery, in shades of grey from the salty stones and of silvery green from the olive trees against the white of its houses and the endless horizon of the sea, or whether it is its personality, its attractive force. You can only get there through a long mountain route full of cars and sharp bends.

Cadaqués was discovered by painters, artists and intellectuals who chose it for a place of residence and has thus escaped the changes produced by crowded growth. Among them was Salvador Dalí, the great master, who established in the bay of Port Lligat his headquarter together with Gala, his musa. Here they built up their house where they used to host other artists and celebrities: Walt Disney, Kirk Douglas or Nobel prize Gabriel Garcia Marquez were some of the guests who spent time in this part of the world.

Back in town, Cadaques offers a laid back scene during the day time that turns into vibrant when the sunset arrives. Shady streets with colourful bouganville flowers take you up to the church of Santa Maria where you can visit the magnificent barroc interior. Art galleries and vintage shops will make the delight of all visitors. The street that takes you to along the sea is full of nice restaurants and cafes, where you can enjoy the sea breeze while having a fresh drink or give a try to the local tapas.

Cap de Creus


 

Cap de Creus Natural Park, which occupies a surface area of 10,787 hectares on land and another 3,073 hectares of sea, encompasses the coastal towns of Cadaqués, El Port de la Selva, Llançà and Roses, and the inland towns of La Selva de Mar, Palau -saverdera, Pau and Vilajuïga. You will enjoy pleasant walking tours, usually with a lot of wind, along the paths that take you to the Cap. This is your chance of seeing more that 250 bird species.

Inside the Natural Park of Cap de Creus itself one can take part in a very large number of leisure activities and visits.
The walking and mountain-bike itineraries are especially attractive. These offer the opportunity to get to know the Park while relating it to the municipalities that make it up. The majority of the walking itineraries follow the tracks of former cattle-trails, which gives them an added interest.
A very interesting itinerary from the botanical, geological and scenic point of view is the path from Mas Paltré in Port de la Selva, to Cap de Creus, following the route of the GR-11 long-distance footpath.

If you have the chance to get yourself on a boat, the coast line offers impressive cliffs and creeks with crystal clear waters to dive in.

Emporda


 

This region is situated at the Northeastern most corner of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Costa Brava begins, with small coastal towns like Portbou and Colera. The capital, Figueres, is known world-wide for being the site of the Dali Museum, one of Spain's most frequently visited museums, which houses a great deal of the painter's works. From here, one can embark on a journey covering the life of Salvador Dalí, including a visit to the Púbol castle (in the Baix Empordà region) and to his home in Portlligat, in Cadaqués.

The Alt Empordà region also boasts natural areas of great environmental interest. The Aiguamolls de I'Empordà Natural Park, situated between the towns of Castelló d'Empúries, Empuriabrava (a residential area that provides a wide range of leisure offerings and where the Mediterranean's biggest residential marina is located) and Sant Pere Pescador, concentrates a large number of autochthonous flora and fauna species.