1 Day in Cadaqués Spain: What to Do, See, & Eat

Planning to spend just 1 day in Cadaqués, Spain and looking for the perfect itinerary? You’re in the right place!

I recently visited this beautiful Costa Brava town and spent the day wandering its whitewashed streets, walking along the waterfront, and discovering some of its best restaurants and viewpoints.

While you could easily spend a weekend in Cadaqués, one day is enough to experience the highlights if you plan it well.

This 1-day Cadaqués itinerary will show you exactly how to spend your time, including the top sights, where to eat, and a few helpful tips to make the most of your visit.

Here’s a breakdown of what to do in Cadaqués in one day so you don’t miss any of the most important sights. 

It works well if you’re on a day trip to Cadaqués from Barcelona or are staying in Cadaqués for the night.

Cadaqués One Day Itinerary at a Glance:

• Visit the Church of Santa Maria
• Explore the town center
• Walk along the waterfront
• See Casa Serinyana
• Visit the Salvador Dalí House Museum
• Enjoy lunch
• Go shopping
• Relax at the beach
• Grab gelato

Start your day at the Church of Santa Maria, the hilltop church that stands out in almost every photo of Cadaqués. 

While it looks pretty simple from the outside, the inside has an ornate Baroque altarpiece that’s worth seeing. 

It’s free to go inside, and the balcony in front of the church has one of the best views over the town and coastline.

From the church, spend some time wandering through the streets of Cadaqués’ old town. 

The whitewashed buildings with blue shutters, colorful flowers, and sea views are so beautiful and you’re probably going to want to stop and take photos at every turn!

Be sure to walk down Carrer del Dr. Callis, which is one of the prettiest streets with beautiful pink flowers hanging overhead.

Next, head down to the waterfront for a walk along the promenade. 

You’ll pass small beaches, colorful fishing boats, and lots of restaurants with views of the bay. 

As you go, don’t miss the Salvador Dalí statue, which celebrates the famous artist’s connection to Cadaqués.

You’ll also want to stop at this point along the waterfront, which is one of the best photo spots in Cadaqués with a perfect pine tree-framed view of the coastline.

Next, walk down to Casa Serinyana, which is a beautiful Modernist house overlooking the waterfront. 

It’s not open to the public so you can’t go inside, but it’s definitely worth stopping to take a few photos. 

If you’re interested in Dalí, I’d definitely recommend visiting the Salvador Dalí House Museum in nearby Port Lligat, which is only about a 15-minute walk from the town center. 

Note: The Salvador Dalí House Museum is different from the Dalí Theatre Museum in Figueres, and is the house where he lived for many years.

Just be prepared for some seriously steep hills and quite a few steps along the way. 

The most important thing to know is that you must book your tickets well in advance on the official website. 

But if you can’t get tickets to tour the house, you can still buy tickets on-site for the gardens, which is what I did. 

I really enjoyed seeing the swimming pool, olive grove, giant eggs, and all of the quirky outdoor spaces.

After your visit, head back into town and grab lunch at one of the restaurants along the waterfront. 

You’ll find everything from traditional Spanish tapas to seafood and international dishes. 

I ate at Nord Est and really enjoyed it since the menu had a good mix of local cuisine and other options.

Tip: If you’re looking for a special lunch, make a reservation at Compartir, one of the town’s most famous restaurants. It’s Michelin-recommended and serves creative Mediterranean dishes designed for sharing.

After lunch, spend some time browsing the small boutiques around town. 

All of the shops are super cute and you’ll find straw beach bags, beachwear, jewelry, home decor, souvenirs, and more. 

One of my favorite shops was Colmado, which had a fun mix of housewares, bags, jewelry, and gifts.

If you’re visiting in the summer, spend some time relaxing at one of Cadaqués’ beaches. 

They’re probably not the best beaches I’ve seen in Costa Brava, but they’re right in the middle of town, which makes them really easy to enjoy for a few hours. 

The sand and shoreline are a bit rocky, so I’d recommend bringing water shoes, along with your own beach gear.

Finish your day with a gelato by the waterfront. 

There are a few great shops to choose from, including Sa Gelateria, Joia, and Es Gelat. 

It’s the perfect way to end a day in Cadaqués.

If you have more time or want to customize your day, here are a few other things to add to your Cadaqués itinerary:

• Visit Cap de Creus National Park: Located just outside of Cadaqués, Cap de Creus is a beautiful natural park known for its dramatic rocky coastline, hiking trails, and incredible sea views. One of the main highlights is the Cap de Creus Lighthouse (Far de Cap de Creus), which sits at the easternmost point of mainland Spain. It’s a little harder to reach on your own, but you can book organized tours from kiosks along the waterfront or take the tourist tram that runs from the city center.

• Visit the Museu de Cadaqués: If you’d like to learn more about the town’s artistic history, stop by the Museu de Cadaqués. The museum features rotating contemporary art exhibitions along with works by local artists and exhibits about the area’s connection to artists like Salvador Dalí.

• Try water sports: If you’re visiting during the summer, you can book boat tours, go snorkeling, rent a kayak, or even try stand-up paddleboarding to explore the coastline.

Driving is the easiest way to get to Cadaqués and is what I’d recommend if you don’t mind renting a car. 

The drive from Barcelona takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic. 

As you get closer to town, you’ll drive through some winding mountain roads, but honestly they weren’t as bad as I was expecting.

If you don’t have a car, there are a couple different options for getting to Cadaqués by public transportation:

• Take the high-speed train to Figueres, then the bus to Cadaqués: Take the Renfe train from Barcelona-Sants to Figueres-Vilafant, then take the Moventis bus from Figueres to Cadaqués.

• Take the direct Moventis bus from Barcelona: There are direct Moventis buses from Barcelona to Cadaqués available, but the schedule usually isn’t the most convenient for a day trip.

Tip: I recommend using Omio to easily compare bus and train options in one place.

If you’d rather not worry about transportation, booking a guided tour is another easy option. 

I personally visited Cadaqués on a day trip with Barcelife, a local company that runs excursions from Barcelona, and had a great experience. 

Just keep in mind that their tours are entirely in Spanish. 

If you prefer an English-speaking guide, you can also book a full-day tour like this one that combines both Figueres and Cadaqués.

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your day in Cadaqués:

• Start early: If you’re visiting on a day trip, try to get an early start so you can make the most of your time. There’s more to see in Cadaqués than you might expect, and the town gets much busier as the day goes on, especially during the summer.

• Book tickets for the Dalí House Museum in advance: If touring the inside of the Salvador Dalí House Museum is on your list, book your tickets as early as possible because you can’t purchase them at the door.  If tickets are gone, you can still visit the outdoor gardens by purchasing a separate garden ticket onsite.

• Be prepared for the heat: Summers in Cadaqués can get really hot, and there isn’t a lot of shade once you’re out walking around. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and consider packing a hat if you’re visiting between June and September. I also always bring an electronic hand fan to stay cool while out and about.

• Bring water shoes for the beach: The beaches in Cadaqués are more rocky than sandy, both on the shore and in the water. A pair of water shoes will make getting in and out of the sea much more comfortable.

• Don’t miss the best photo spot in Cadaqués: One of the most famous viewpoints in Cadaqués is the spot where a pine tree perfectly frames the coastline and whitewashed buildings. It’s one of the best places to take photos, so it’s definitely worth the short walk. You can find the exact location here on Google Maps.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Cadaqués:

I hope this 1-day Cadaqués itinerary helps you plan an amazing visit to one of the prettiest towns in Spain! 

You can spend the day wandering the whitewashed streets, visiting the Salvador Dalí House Museum, relaxing at the beach, shopping, and enjoying lunch by the waterfront. 

Renting a car is the easiest way to get there, especially if you’re visiting from Barcelona. 

Or a guided tour is also a great option if you’d rather not deal with the logistics yourself.

Enjoy your day in Cadaqués!

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