PLACES TO VISIT
&
OTHER CULINARY EXPERIENCES
Dali’s house (Cadaques)
Just a few minutes walk away. Now a museum and an absolute must to visit – the tour takes about 45 minutes and then you can walk around the gardens at your leisure. Advisable to book.
Tel: +34 972 251 015 salvador dali
Vineyards and Wine tasting ( Cadaques)
There are several well-known vineyards within easy travelling distance of Cadaqués – two of the most well known ones being Espelt www.cellerespelt.com and Peralada www.castilloperelada.com There is also a local one as you come into Cadaqués, Mas Perafita, owned by Rafa Martin who also owns the restaurant Can Rafa on the main square www.cellermartinfaixo.com
Aqua Brava Water Park ( for kids)
A great day out for children and adults. It is just outside Roses and you will pass it as you are driving towards Cadaqués. Very good facilities, lots of water slides, wave pools, flumes and plenty of grass covered areas for lying out/picnics etc. www.aquabrava.com
Port de la Selva
Another pretty fishing village with large sandy beach.
St. Pere de Rodes
Benedictine Monastery dating from 1st century AD, located up in the hills between Llançà and El Port de la Selva. Fanastic views.
Figueres & the Dali Theatre Museum
The nearest large town for shopping and home to the Dali Theatre Museum – as you can imagine unlike your average museum or art gallery. Mondays are to be avoided as the museum and many shops are closed.
Tel: +34 972 677 500 www.salvador-dali.org/museus/figueres/en_index.html
Gala-Dalí Castle of Púbol (Near Figueres)
Open to the public since 1996, visitors can discover the medieval building in which Gala infuses Salvador Dalí’s creativity right down to the finest details, and which goal was to provide Gala with a quiet and secluded place. It was the time passing that determined the transformation of this castle that became, between 1982 and 1984, Salvador Dalí’s last studio and finally the mausoleum of his muse. https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/museums/gala-dali-castle-in-pubol/
Girona
Very well worth a visit, Girona is a wonderful city with much to see and explore. The city’s main historical attractions include its Roman ruins, the charming small streets of its Jewish quarter, the Arab Baths and the magnificent cathedral that dominates the whole city from high above the Onyar River. There area also many excellent shops and restaurants including El Cellar de Can Roca, ranked No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013 and 2015. www.aboutgirona.com/
Can Ginebreda erotic forest ( Near Girona)
Stroll through the forest full of oaks and pine trees, enjoy incredible hills views and the sculptures of the most extravagant modern catalan sculptor! https://www.canginebreda.cat
Empuries
The Greek and Roman remains are about an hour by car. Situated on a beautiful beach it’s worth taking a picnic if it’s a nice day. You can also find a good lunch in nearby L’Escala. Try the restaurant or bistro in the Hostal Empuries, virtually next door to the ruins and overlooking the beach – great food and lovely view. www.hostalempuries.com
And more..
There are so many places to visit – too numerous to mention; medieval towns and villages with wonderful architecture like Besalu, Castellfollit de la Roca, and Pals, and some lovely beaches such as Tamariu, Llafranc, Platja d’Aro further down the Costa Brava (although in the summer months that area can get very busy).
Day Trip to France
If you want to drive over the border you need extra insurance which covers you in France, so be sure to check this when you pick up your rental car.
There is a very nice day trip to Ceret, which is just over an hour from Cadaqués. Drive towards Figueres and then take the E7 towards France. The turn off to Ceret is just over the border and well sign-posted. In Ceret you can visit the Museum of Modern Art, well worth a look for its collection of Picasso pottery. Check online before you go just to make sure that the museum is open as it occasionally closes to mount exhibitions.
It is another 30 minutes or so to Perpignan where you can wander about the streets and enjoy the very different and very French atmosphere. If you tire of shopping at the Galleries Lafayette then stop for a cup of Earl Grey and macaroons at the Espi restaurant which is just along the street from Vauban overlooking the canal – good for the cakes alone….
Auchan, the world’s most amazing supermarket, is on the outskirts of town on the way home. If you fancy lobster, moules or anything fancy and French its got an incredible choice.
If you decide to drive home along the coast you pass through Collioure and Port Vendres, very pretty but the road is much longer than it looks with lots of bends and can get very, very busy in the summer.
FURTHER AFIELD & CULINARY EXPERIENCES
El Celler de Can Roca, Girona
***** €€€€€ Once again voted the top restaurant in the world and has been in the top 2 for the past 5 years. What more is there to say (other than getting a table is extraordinarily difficult)
Miramar, Llançà
***** €€€€€ This is a really fabulous restaurant just 40 minutes drive away in the Port of Llançà. Owned and run by head chef Paco Perez who holds 5 Michelin stars, the Miramar was awarded its second Michelin star in 2010 and is an absolute must. The Menu Degustacion is wonderful. Tel: +34 972 380 132.
http://www.restaurantmiramar.com
Ruscalleda Sant Pau
***** €€€€€ Run by the world’s only female 5 Michelin starred chef, Carme Ruscalleda and another in the San Pellegrino World’s Top Restaurants list. Located at Sant Pol de Mar, on the coast midway between Barcelona and Girona. www.ruscalleda.com/
Les Cols
***** €€€€€ Another great restaurant with 2 Michelin stars in Olot, about 1 hour drive from Cadaques. www.lescols.com
Els Brancs
***** €€€€€ In the nearby bay of Roses, this restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 2013. www.elsbrancs.com
Hotel Empordà
***** €€€€€ One of the top restaurants in Figueres. www.hotelemporda.com
Tramonti – Roses
***** €€€ Situated on the promenade, just off the square as you come into the centre of Roses, they serve THE most wonderful pizzas – best we have ever had (choose from the chef’s specials) and salads. Tel: +34 972 151 216 pep@curiel.cat
www.tramontiroses.com/tramonti-pep-curiel/
Hotel Bon Retorn ( near Figueres)
***** €€€€ Has very good cuisine (the foie-gras is delicious and the fiduea is well worth trying – like a paella but with noodles instead of rice), is on the outskirts of Figueres, easy to park, has a lovely outdoor pool for the kids (and great macaroni and deserts). Great if you are planning an excursion to Figueres for the Dali museum or shopping – stop here on the way or on the way back. Tel. +34 972 504 623
www.bonretorn.com/english/restaurant.htm
**** €€€ INTEGRAL VEGAN RESTAURANT