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Dalí museum (Figueres) and house (Cadaqués) in one day by pubic tranportation

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Last year there was a post asking whether it's possible to do this without direct answer. Since the post was closed, here's what I did in April, 2016, if anyone is interested.

Take high speed train from BCN-SANTS at 07:20 and arrive Figueres at 08:15. A transit bus (need to pay) will arrive shortly to take passengers to the city center. Tell the bus driver that you want to go to Dali museum and he will let you get off near the visitor center. Off the bus, go straight ahead along the sidewalk and shortly the visitor center is on your left at an intersection. It was opened before 08:30. I got a map and helpful direction from the lady at the center.

We walked to the bus station for Cadaqués and then to the Dali museum to prepare us with the route later. We went in the museum at opening time 09:30. There was enough time to see the theater museum but we didn't see the jewelry museum.

The bus leaves Figueres at 13:45. Out of the Cadaqués bus station, you'll walk along the road up a hill (likely with other passengers). Be careful! Some areas don't have sidewalks. Keep going until you see the sign to Casa Dali (it takes a while to see it). Follow the sign and walk along the road. Shortly on the right side of the road, there is a small sign hidden among tall bushes indicating Casa Dali--this is the shortcut through the residential area.

The entire walk took about 25 minutes. I arrived well before the ticket pick-up time of 15:40 (entry time 16:20). There's enough time to see the house and the yard and catch 18:15 bus back. From the same Figueres bus station, the transit bus left around 20:30 to the high speed train station for the 20:45 train to BCN-SANTS.

I'm a big Dali fan and love both places. I didn't feel exhausted that day because I took naps on the trains and buses. I brought snacks with me and there is a big super market selling good bread near Figueres bus station.

I purchased all tickets online months ahead, except the transit bus (didn't know there was one). I believe I need to exchange the bus ticket confirmation printout to real tickets at the ticket counter at Figueres bus station. I didn't need to do so in Seville or Granada.

Posted by
75 posts

Wow, great topic!
I will be in Barcelona this August for 4 days before my best of spain tour and will follow your recommendations.
Thanks,
Liam

Posted by
234 posts

Thanks for posting this! I am considering trying to do something similar from Barcelona in June, so this is really helpful information.

Posted by
4535 posts

Just a note to add - you MUST pre-purchase your Dali House tickets and the timing for that tour is critical for this to work. Of course, you can also just spend time in Cadaques, which is delightful. Unfortunately, this method doesn't really allow one to see the town and Dali House unless you walk through town (I believe there is a walking route to Port Illgat through town).

Posted by
27062 posts

Yes, Douglas. I saw signs down near the port in Cadaques, pointing toward Port Lligat. I didn't go there, but I believe the sign said something like 20 minutes. I enjoyed several hours of wandering around Cadaques, so I'd suggest that those who are not big Dali fans might settle for the Theatre and Museum in Figueres plus a visit to the town of Cadaques. Those with a penchant for ceramics be warned: There are a number of ceramics shops in Cadaques.

Anyone planning to overnight in Girona would save some time by using that city, rather than Barcelona, as the base for the Figueres/Cadaques day-trip.

Posted by
768 posts

ypyk: What a terrific post! So the entire trip was of about 13 hour duration? (From and back BCN SANTS). Are taxis available from the Cadaqués Bus Station to Casa Dali? Returning back from Casa Dali, what would be the chances of getting a taxi to the Bus Station? My wife has foot problems and a 25 minute walk might not be doable, but we'd enjoy visiting the Casa in addition to the Museum.

Posted by
4 posts

Hi Jon,
I didn't see any taxi in the bus station or the town. It's a very quiet town. It's about 14-15 hours from and back to BCN-SANTS.
Thank you!

Posted by
27062 posts

I don't remember noticing taxis in Cadaques, but I wasn't looking for one. Logic suggests that the service must be available. It's not a tiny town and the visitors are not down-market. If you Google "Taxi Cadaques" you will get some hits. If you'll have a phone with you, I assume you'll be able to summon a taxi to the bus station if you don't find one hanging around.

Posted by
768 posts

We're going to follow the itinerary you suggest to visit the Dali Museum and Casa Dali; take the 7:20 high-speed train from BCN SANS to Figures, the bus to Museum (plan to spend 4-5 hours there) the bus to Cadaqués, 2-4 hour at the Casa Dali, back to Figueres and the 20:45 train back to Barcelona. When I checked for train tickets I learned one can't book tickets until 60 days before the specific booking. I then went to the Dali Museum website (or rather tried to) but was directed to advertisements for private tours. I feel it a bit strange to ask something which should be obvious, but what site does one go to for admission tickets to the Museum and the Casa?

PS We anticipate getting back to BCN SANS around 21:30, would it be reasonable to take the Metro to Paral-lel and the Funicular up to Montjuïc for a nighttime view of the city? Would any eateries be open at this time of the evening in August?

Posted by
347 posts

Jon, in general, when I search for information I always add "official site" in my query and easily find what I need.

Posted by
2940 posts

Official DALI site: https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/museums/

@Jon... no, it wouldn't be too reasonable. Firstly because the funicular closes at 10pm (in summer), and secondly and most importantly because the top of Montjuïc will be deserted.

Montjuïc, roughly pronounced "mon-jew-eek" (which, btw, it means "mount of the Jews" in Catalan, the local language), is a mountain/hill in Barcelona but it's also the name of the district, which in turn comprises several neighbourhoods.

Montjuïc is one of the largest districts in the city yet housing only reaches the outskirts (lower slopes) of the hill, then everything else you'll find is a hotel (Miramar), a couple of restaurants, parks, the Botanical garden, stadiums, a public swimming pool, more stadiums, museums, a cemetery, even more parks and a fortress on top (Castell de Montjuïc). No houses nor commercial premises (shops, restaurants...) in Montjuïc ---again, that's so "on" the hill in itself, not around the hill. For this reason, after say 8ish or so there's almost no one "at" Montjuïc except when say there is a concert, or a basketball game in Palau Sant Jordi or it's the Pic-nic Music Festival, etc. In a normal day, there's no real reason to be at Montjuïc when it's dark and the parks, museums, etc. are closed. The area is not unsafe per se, but not having people wandering the area nor businesses etc. means you're likely to be alone -or quite, in certain areas of Montjuïc at night you'll also find the odd pusher and hookers. Again... "on" the hill, not "around".

You can see a partial view of the city at night also from the entrance of MNAC at the base of the hill -which will be full of people on a Fri, Sat or Sun, especially in summer - this is what you see from there, it's not the same of course. Also, the Font Màgica shows are on on those days.

PS: I insist.... when you read the word "Montjuïc" everybody local means "on the hill", not around it. Saying so because technically speaking, Plaça Espanya or Paral·lel Avenue for example, are also in the Montjuïc district, but this area is always full of people, there are plenty of housing, shops, restaurants, etc.

Posted by
271 posts

YPYK,
I hope my reply here is not seen as a hijack of your topic - kudos on your well-documented adventure. Full disclosure - my Dalí quest followed a stay in Barcelona, then Girona for 2 nights and 3 on the Costa Brava; we used a rental car to visit Pubol, Figueres and Cadaqués. We saw Pubol in the late afternoon after Girona; and, Figueres and Cadaqués on a separate jaunt.
Over the past years I've noted that many of the RS posters want to add a Dalí visit to their stay in Barcelona and are not likely to have an interest in a rental car and are often limited to one day. May I suggest that a private tour company might be a good option which maximizes your time and provides a good value. For example, http://www.explorecatalunya.com/dali,figueres,pu.html offers a one day tour of all three sites for 90€. A 12 hour tour which includes all three sites - Pubol is a visit NOT to be missed.
Chao.

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