Figueres & Cadaques

What is "efficient"? ...

You can go by fast train from Barcelona to Figueres in under an hour, from there, there's a regular bus to Cadaqués (or a taxi).

Thanks for your help.

Efficient to me means the best use of your time.

Thanks again: bill

To be clear (I assume you already know this), the Museum-House is in Port Lligat rather than Cadaques itself. If time is of the essence, you'd want to get a taxi from Cadaques if you opted for the bus either all the way from Barcelona or from Figueres.

There are definitely bus tours running from Barcelona to the Dali sites, so that would also be an option if you think the allotted time in each place would be sufficient for you.

For me an overnight in Cadaques is the most 'efficient' way to see these sights, especially if you plan to use public transport. Stop in Figueres on the way there, and then a stop in Girona on the way back.

... I asked because "efficient" might have very different meanings to different people. Unfortunately, "usage of time" is something very relative and in order to match schedules and transportation one needs a lot more information: are you one of the passionate visitors of museums that spend hours visiting them? or a quick look does it? noting that the so-called "sites of Dalí" are spread over four different towns which are not next to each other, are you willing to have a hectic itinerary to visit them all? or are you happy settling with a couple of sites only? are you interested in anything else but Gaudí? saying so because in each of those towns there are other stuff worth visiting: Castell de Sant Ferran in Figueres, the church of Santa Maria and the town in itself in Cadaqués, etc. just to name a few, and overall, how long do you have to make those visits? same day escapade? two days? three? Don't want to sound difficult but with the details provided it's complicated to understand 'efficient' :))

Another possibility, with enough time available, would be to stay multiple nights in the lovely Girona, from which Figures and Cadaques are quicker trips than from Barcelona. Girona is worth more than one full day by itself. I doubt, however, that there would be a FIgueres/Cadaques bus-tour option from Girona.

Hi Bill,
I am also planning on checking out the Dali house in Port Lligat near Cadaques. There is a bus from Barcelona 2 -3/4 hour trip that leaves daily. checkout www.serfa.com Leaves from the Nord Bus Station in Barcelona.
I really want to hang out a couple of nights in a nice littel coast side town before starting my best of spain trip and the Dali house is just the icing on the cake. Check Ricks Spain Book for train info to Figures. There is also kayak rentals in Port Lligat.

Liam

Doing both is tricky. Here are a few things to know to help you plan.

The Dali Museum in Figueres is easy to get to by train (a short walk from the central Figueres station). Be aware that the high-speed line stops at a station outside of town and requires a bus or taxi to get into town.

Allow at least a couple of hours at the museum as there is much to see if you are a fan. Even if not a fan, there is much to see.

Cadaques is about an hour's drive from Figueres. There are busses between the two, but check the times carefully if you plan that since your day will be tied into the bus and train schedules.

The Dali House is in Port Ligat, about a 20 minute walk from Cadaques (not including whatever time to walk through Cadaques).

You must make advanced reservations for the House and there is nothing to see if you don't take a tour. So timing your reservation is critical if doing all this in a day.

I've personally done all this in one day pretty easily with a rented car. But we already had the car so there was no extra time built in for pick-up and drop-off or the high cost for a single day rental. Plus gas, parking and tolls add up. And even then it was a long day.

just correcting liamof... the above mentioned bus company is SARFA and the website is www.sarfa.com -run these days by Moventis.

bill,
I'd strongly recommend including a visit to Gala's castle in Pubol, a home Dali created for his wife - simply stunning and not to be missed. While it is possible to visit all three sights in one day via rental car or a tour operator (there are several operating from Barcelona) we stayed in Girona for 2 nights and Calella de Parafugel 2 nights, so our Dali was a bit slower paced (rental car). And, when your're in Pubol, stop by the adjacent village of Pals - several cafes, shops and a charming ambience for strolling.