L'Hostalet de Cadaques is in Cadaqués

Cadaqués is the focal point of the Cap de Creus peninsula, which is an outstanding maritime and terrestrial natural park on account of the diversity of the marine species found there and the shapes of its rocks sculpted by the Tramuntana wind. All round the Cap de Creus, which faces over the Gulf of Lions, are inaccessible islets, cliffs and coves. Though the waters look calm, sea goers have nicknamed it “the Devil’s Cape” and it abounds in tales of shipwrecks and rescues.

The outlines of the rocks (which Dalí described as “a grandiose geological delirium”) inspired his well-known pictures with double images. The views from the lighthouse (built in 1850 on the site of an old watchtower) have been used in various films, including The Light at the Edge of the World (1971), directed by Kevin Billington and starring Kirk Douglas and Yul Brynner.

In the last centuries being a fishing village, it was from the 50's when Cadaqués was opened universally. It has been visited by a large number of artists throughout the twentieth century: Picasso, Matisse, Max Ernst and Federico García Lorca (invited by Dali himself to his home when they were young students in Madrid). The streets of the fishing village, which for centuries suffered from pirate raids, the characteristic brand of Catalan spoken by the local people, the whitewashed houses, and the atmosphere of freedom still make it unique.

The geographical location of Cadaqués is just outstanding. Its bay is the largest natural harbor in the Costa Brava. Often the boats moored in it are of enormous dimensions. As we arrive to the village we cross the National Park of Cape Creus, a small peninsula that sits on a geological fault with more than 400 million years old. Today the park is classified by authorities as a protected natural environment.

Portlligat beach is near Cadaqués, just over a kilometer. It still seems as it was painted by the great Salvador Dalí : narrow and surrounded by rocks ...but who looks Cadaqués just for its beach? The village is full of cultural attractions that visitors can not miss. First, the Home-Museum of Salvador Dali, also in Portlligat, the first vertex that forms the Dalí triangle (made also by Púbol Castle and the Theatre-Museum Dalí in Figueres). Cadaqués center also houses several art galleries and the church of Santa Maria, from the seventeenth century, late Gothic styled, surrounded by numerous small streets that go to the beach. Cadaqués Museum has works made by Dali and other artists. Inside the Church of Santa Maria is a magnificent Baroque altarpiece, and a walk along the seafront to the small lighthouse of Cala Nans is an unforgettable experience.

Cadaqués is also a village of coffee and bars next to the beach. The old quarter is full of trendy shops and craft workshops. From Easter it begins to fill with tourists.

Undoubtedly Cadaqués is a must for anyone wishing to know the essence of the Costa Brava and especially the Dali Universe.