Recently returned from 10 days in Costa Brava with Cadaques as our home base and we did not stray far from this great track of planet earth. Our goal was to recharge rather than do breakneck sightseeing..and we were rewarded tenfold. We landed in Barcelona and drove to a Peratallada, a small town with medieval streets and any photographer's dream, for lunch at El Pati. We had a lovely lunch on their expansive patio and wandered through town taking pictures and exploring its streets. Then onto to Cadaques...
Cadaques
Once you leave the Spanish autostrada, you take a winding road over hills to Cadaques (a little over 2 hours from Barcelona airport - on the way back). Similar to driving in Ireland or stretches of the PCH in the States. Cadaques, although developed, has not suffered the same fate as other coastal towns in Spain including its neighbor, Roses. It is a charming town with a gorgeous old town and seaside bars, shops and restaurants. The area is a hiking paradise filled with GR trails that hug the coast and go inland. You will stop every 10 feet to take yet another stunning photograph. This was our main agenda item each day to hike and explore. We had plans to rent a boat which was simple enough but never got around to it. We will certainly return and do this. We ate the freshest seafood every day (restaurants and our VRBO - hobby chef as part of our travel group),had really affordable great Spanish and French wines and met some lovely people. In a word...PERFECT.
a few Cadaques Restaraunt/Bar/Shops Recs:
1. *Es Grec *: in old town - get the plankton rice (Wow), grilled octopus and squid. It was awesome.
*2. Compartir *: this is restaurant run by chefs from El Bulli fame. We did the tasting menu, it was pricey but delicious and an experience.
- Martim Bar - front and center in town and on the Med. have a snack and cold beer and stare at the Med
- Anita Nit Cafe - get ready to be entertained by the owner and his family. We had a great time and the food was great. Do NOT skip dessert - homemade by the owner's wife.
5.Quer - go for you all your baked goods (bread, pastry), chocolate and jams. Fantastic!
6.Blau Bar - great outdoor lunch spot - another view of the town and the Med.
- Cataline Iturria and Galleria Iturria - art gallery and jewelry, clothes (across from Es Grec)
Side trips
Port Lligat - we walked to this lovely harbor and home of Dali's summer house. Terrific walk - quaint church and a great open-air bar, Es Raco de Dani which served fresh catch of the day - cuddlefish and octopus.
Collioure, France - a 75-minute ride from Cadaques got us into France and into this cool seaside town for market day (Sunday). Similar to Cadaques in charm although much larger in size, it is a great side trip and the market did not disappoint. We had a great seaside lunch (apologies cannot recall the name), wandered through their old town and around the port and had afternoon outdoor cocktails at La Voile (Boat sails on their top deck) with stunning Med views.
Cadaques and Costa Brava is a great place to visit and in our permanent rotation. GO! We spent a lot of time figuring out how we could move here ...avoid August (per the locals!).