5 days in Cadaqués with children

Discover Cadaqués: Complete guide to visiting the Costa Brava in 5 days

Are you planning a trip to Catalonia, Costa Brava, Spain and looking for things to do in Cadaqués with your family? Here is an itinerary that we followed as a family with our 3 and 6 year old daughters to discover this region of Spain. In May 2024, we explored this picturesque town on the Costa Brava during a family trip. Between the beach, pretty villages and good tapas, we loved exploring the surroundings of Cadaqués.

10 things to do in and around Cadaqués

Visit Dalí's house in Port Lligat: Discover the house where Salvador Dalí lived and worked, a place full of creativity and original objects.

Explore the alleys of Cadaqués: Stroll through the charming white alleys of this picturesque village and soak up its artistic atmosphere.

Taste a Mallorquina: Savor this delicious local brioche in one of the many cafés in Cadaqués.

Relax at Cadaqués Beach: Enjoy the fine sandy beaches and crystal clear waters for a relaxing day in the sun.

Rent a boat without a license in Empuriabrava: Navigate at your own pace through the canals of this "Spanish Venice" and explore the region from the water.

Discover Aiguafreda Cove: Spend a quiet day in this secluded cove, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres: Immerse yourself in the surrealist universe of Dalí by visiting this fascinating museum dedicated to the artist.

Hiking in the Cap de Creus Natural Park: Explore the spectacular landscapes of this natural park with its hiking trails offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Climb to Begur Castle: This medieval castle offers spectacular panoramic views of the Costa Brava and the surrounding countryside.

Spend a day at the Aquabrava water park in Roses: Treat your children to a day of fun and adventure with slides, wave pools and many other water attractions.

When we imagine Cadaqués, we dream of it all white, bordered by the ocean, this small town. We also think of the famous painter Salvador Dali who lived there and whose house in Portlligat can now be visited.

We loved this corner of Spain. Driving along the Costa Brava coastline is super easy and beautiful. All the towns along the Mediterranean are so peaceful... Cadaqués is really a favorite for our family, we loved the atmosphere and these very special white houses.

Cadaques with the family 5 days: what to see? what to do?

DAY 1: Cadaques, white town and turquoise waters

Just an hour's drive from the French border is the white village of Cadaques, famous for being home to Salvador Dalí.

We set off to discover Cadaques, the most famous town on the Costa Brava. The white facades and blue doors of the houses covered in bougainvillea have a crazy charm.

Without really knowing where to start, we first strolled through the streets of the city. They led us to the small fishing port. Cadaques is truly a charming city to fully enjoy it we advise you to come out of season. In summer, the city loses all its charm as there are so many people.

A bit by chance, we settled on one of the tables on the terrace of the restaurant El Viatge and we were not disappointed. (Plaça del Dr. Pont, 5, 17488 Cadaqués). Local recipes, refined cuisine and reasonable prices, go there!

La Mallorquina : the Cadaquès pastry shop where you can taste tapas, small light and sweet sponge cakes in the shape of mushrooms. La Mallorquina, Plaça Doctor Trèmols, 8, Cadaqués.

Our girls are impatient to put on their swimsuits so we ended the morning at the cove Sa Sabolla and the beach Guillola. Two beautiful beaches, to start our trip on the Costa Brava in Spain.

Dali's house in Port Lligat:

The refuge of Dali and his muse Gala is located near a secluded cove in the center of Cadaqués (1.2 km). The house is full of original details and objects. The garden, with its white and aquatic elements, reminded me of the architecture of Cesar Manrique's works in Lanzarote. The children loved Dali's wacky style.

Don't forget to book your tickets for the visit to Dalí's house. It is very small and the number of visitors is limited.

You can book your tickets for Dalí's house by clicking HERE.

Where to sleep in Cadaqués? The chic adventurers

The sublime wecamp Cadaqués campsite, here you don't sleep in your Decathlon tent but in a beautiful safari-style tent. The campsite is super chic with all the comforts so you don't have to leave (swimming pool, mini-market, terrace, etc.).

Around €84 per night for 4

DAY 2: Discovery of the city of Roses on the Costa Brava

Before arriving in Rosas, we had prepared a picnic and we went hiking to the Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella . We wanted to get away a few hours from the beach or the city and this little walk, very easy, is to do with the family. A beautiful walk with magnificent viewpoints. The children are interested in the historical curiosities that line the route, while waiting to find the dolmens. A very accessible little route to do with the family.

We didn't linger in Roses. This town is by the sea but doesn't have much charm. We went straight to the beaches of Canyelle Petite and Almadrava. The coast is steep and the turquoise water is what we liked here.

Mas Lazuli Hotel. Sublime boutique hotel in the countryside with infinity pool and amazing breakfast. Around €480 per night for 4.

EMPURIABRAVA

It is nicknamed the Venice of Spain because of its canals of course! Empuriabrava has a residential marina which is the largest in Europe. We came to spend the morning in Empuriabrava, and we surprised the children by renting an electric boat without a license . We set off for a great one-hour trip on the water for the four of us. Everything is so much more beautiful from the water... We sailed on the canals to observe the different houses. Architecture fans like me will be served. Each house has its own style and the gardens with swimming pool are super well laid out. Almost all the inhabitants of these dream villas have a boat with a private pontoon. Life must be peaceful here...

We finished the afternoon, following the coast to Begur, our next stop. The beaches are not the prettiest but the children were happy to swim.

We arrived at the end of the day in Begur to stay there for 2 nights.

Alta House Begur a hotel in the city center with swimming pool and breakfast. About 130€ for a double room. The view from the terrace is incredible. Don't hesitate to go there for a drink even if you are not staying there.

Swimming on the legendary beach of Aiguablava

DAY 3: Begur, my favorite place on the Costa Brava

My favorite part of the trip! We decided to stay 2 nights and 3 days to take the time to soak up life here.

The small turquoise cove Sa Tuna is the most typical and picturesque of Begur. What we love here are the pretty white fishermen's houses. The shutters of these old fishermen's huts are of all colors. A landscape worthy of a postcard on the shores of the Mediterranean. A real corner of paradise that I particularly loved.

The Sa Tuna restaurant is a great place to enjoy a typical dish called “arroces caldosos” (rice cooked in a broth in the same spirit as a paella).

After a quick trip to town to buy some picnic food for the beach, we decided to go a little further and take the coastal path towards the Aiguafreda cove to take a dip. A lovely walk along the sea awaits you. Once you arrive, sit on the rocks and dive into the translucent water.

Further on, the Ses Vaques cove , which is accessed by a large stone staircase that plunges into the Mediterranean. These two beaches are particularly popular with scuba divers.

Back to the hotel to rest a little. We went out again to access the castle of Begur. Barely 10 minutes of climbing to get to the top. We were a little disappointed to see that there are only ruins left but the view is sublime from the top.

DAY 4: between heavenly beaches in Aiguablava and nature walks in Fornells

This morning we arrived at Aiguablava beach early enough to enjoy one of the prettiest beaches in Begur. One of the best known too... The beach is aptly named "blue water" in Catalan and it is a feast for the eyes.

After swimming, we went on an excursion along the coastal path that runs along the coastline on the left of the beach. An easy walk between sea and nature for families with children like us.

We quickly arrive at Fornells, a pretty little fishing port . It feels like Greece, the houses are white and overlook the Mediterranean Sea. I loved this area and especially this surprise in the middle of the walk.

We continued the walk by following the coastal path (cami de ronda). Along the way, we discovered coves, each one prettier than the last. First stop on Fonda beach for a nap under the pines. On this beach our girls were able to enjoy a natural swimming pool.

4 day stay on the Costa Brava with children

On the advice of a friend, we turned back to Fornells to have a drink at the Aiguablava hotel . And we were not disappointed with the view...

Return to our hotel after a beautiful day of walking and swimming.

We went out at the end of the day to enjoy the old town. Medieval buildings and whitewashed houses mingle with splendid colonial residences.

We went to see the Torre Pella i Forgas in the center of Begur and the colorful stairs at number 15 of Santa Reparada street . I loved strolling around town, especially in the pretty shops (take a look at the Cactus shop), to bring back some local crafts.

Evening in town to enjoy tapas and sangria like the locals. The Spanish art of living is something else! All generations meet up for a drink in town before going home for a family dinner. I love observing the locals when I travel. Their lifestyles are always different from ours. There were lots of children in the streets that evening and our girls were able to play hide and seek without difficulty despite the language barrier.

On the way back to France, we stopped in Figueras to visit the Dali museum but also for a lunch break on a terrace.

The Dali museum was entirely designed by the artist and the building itself is a work of art. The children loved this futuristic art style. We spent 1 hour there then went to have lunch in town before getting back on the road towards home.

If you have time, you can drive to the Salto de Caula waterfalls near Figueras. They are said to be magnificent!

If you want to go further south, you can stop at Tossa de Mar and Girona. Two very pretty medieval cities, surrounded by walls whose charm will not leave you indifferent.

SEA DRINK

Pretty white town with bougainvillea, we love it. During the day we enjoyed the beautiful beaches with turquoise waters in the surrounding area. Cova d'es berganti and Then at the end of the day we discovered the Vila Vella (the Old Town) and the ruins of its old castle. We continued our discovery of Tossa de Mar by strolling through the cobbled streets of the fortified enclosure and going up to the lighthouse to admire another equally beautiful viewpoint.

GERONE

New stop in another pretty medieval city surrounded by walls. Girona is our favorite of the trip. Access to the old town is full of charm, you get there by crossing small bridges over the Onyar river. In Girona, the houses are colorful unlike in Cadaqués. For once, if we ask you who designed the red metal bridge, what do you say? Gustave Eiffel of course!

In Girona, there are two churches: Sant Feliu and Santa Maria de Girona. We then went through the Jewish quarter. This medieval quarter is super well preserved, these streets you walk in date from the Middle Ages! It is one of the best preserved old Jewish quarters in the world. We strolled around the city and enjoyed some tapas on a terrace for lunch. Before returning to the hotel, we tasted the city's specialty: xuixo, a fried croissant filled with cream and sprinkled with sugar, a sweet specialty of Girona.