Beaches and coves in Cadaqués
From long sands to hidden coves: 40 beaches and coves in Cadaqués.
See it on the mapEverything in Cadaqués
Cala TortaBeach or coveCala Torta is a small natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, between Guillola beach and Cala Seca, about five kilometres north of the town. Facing east-southeast, it is 7 m long and 18 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. Swimming is not recommended on this beach, as it is full of large stones. Access is difficult, via a path that descends from near the end of the road leading to Cap de Creus. The name Torta almost certainly comes from the winding, serpentine shape of this cove's entrance to the sea, with sculpted, eroded rock formations full of holes. Near the beach are the ruins of the Barraca de sa Pedrera, which was likely once an old fisherman's house. The Cadaqués-born composer Rafael Cabrisas i Palau dedicated a sardana to it in 1942.
es Llaner GrosBeach or coveLlané Gran beach is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) located in the bay of Cadaqués, at the southern edge of the town, between the Pampà point to the north and Llané Petit beach to the south, from which it is separated by the Pere Joan rocks. Facing east, it is 93 m long with an average width of 18 m, made up of sand, gravel and pebbles. On this beach stands the family house of Salvador Dalí, where he spent many summers. Federico García Lorca also visited him there in 1925 and 1927. A sculpture by J. M. Subirachs near the beach commemorates this. At the northern end of the beach stands can Salisachs, a beautiful noucentista-style house. The place name Llané indicates that it was a spot where woolly livestock used to come down from the mountains and orchards to spend the winter close to the sea.
es Llaner PetitBeach or coveEs Llané Petit beach is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the bay of Cadaqués, at the southern edge of the town, between Es Sortell d'en Ter beach to the south and Es Llané Gran beach to the north, separated from the latter by the Pere Joan rocks. It faces east. It is 69 m long with an average width of 18 m, made up of sand, gravel and pebbles. The sand is usually home to a large number of small beached boats. Right on the seafront stands Casa Costa, dating from the early 20th century, distinguished by its tower. The place name Llané suggests it was once a spot where wool-bearing livestock came down from the mountains and orchards to spend the winter near the sea.
Platja d'en BallestaBeach or covePlatja d'en Ballesta, or Platja de s'Alqueria Petita, is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the small bay of Racó des Moro, where you can also find Platja de s'Alqueria Gran, north of the village of Portlligat, in a barely developed area, 2 km from the centre of Cadaqués. Facing east-southeast, it is 30 m long with an average width of 7 m, made up of coarse sand and pebbles. Sheltered and secluded, its waters are usually calm, even when the tramontana wind is blowing. The beach's name refers to the surname of a former local priest and owner of a nearby vineyard.
Platja d'en Pep TonBeach or covePlatja d'en Pep Ton is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the bay of Portlligat, in a largely unbuilt area, facing the island of Portlligat, from which it is separated by the ses Boquelles passage. It is 31 m long and 6 m wide on average, made up of coarse sand, gravel and pebbles. The beach is dog-friendly.
Platja d'en PerefetBeach or covePlatja d'en Pere Fet is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located on the s'Oliguera peninsula, at the north-eastern end of the Bay of Cadaqués, between Platja d'en Ros and Platja de s'Arenella. South-facing, it is 70 m long and 10 m wide, made up of stones and coarse sand. Nudism is practised here. The name comes from a former owner of what used to be the vineyard bordering the beach. Between this beach and Platja d'en Ros stands the Xalet Pérez del Pulgar, a house built in 1957 by Francesc Joan Barba i Corsini.
Platja d'en RosBeach or coveLa platja d'en Ros is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in a small cove within the bay of Cadaqués, where the platja de ses Oliveres is also found, separated by rocky outcrops, in a built-up area. Facing west, it is 80 m long and 8 m wide, made up of sand and pebbles, with a gentle slope into the water. The name 'en Ros' comes from the captain of a 16th-century brig that sailed the Cadaqués-Barcelona route and who also owned the vineyard behind the beach. Between this beach and the platja d'en Pere Fet stands the Xalet Pérez del Pulgar, a house built in 1957 by Francesc Joan Barba i Corsini.
Platja de NegantaBeach or coveLa platja de Portaló, també anomenada platja de Neganta, és una platja natural del municipi de Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), situada a final de la cala de Portaló, dins del Parc Natural del Cap de Creus. Orientada al nord, està relativament arrecerada de la tramuntana gràcies a que la cala està flanquejada per altes parets rocoses. Té una longitud de 34 m i una amplada mitjana de 29 m, formada per sorres gruixudes, fines i graves. S'hi practica el nudisme. Antigament era coneguda com Porto Longo. Era utilitzada pels pirates com un port natural, per amagar-se i com a base de les seves operacions. Prop de la platja hi havia una font. Als penya-segats al costat de la platja hi ha les runes del refugi de Neganta, una antiga barraca de pescadors.
Platja de Pius VBeach or covePius V beach, also known as Sant Pius V beach or Sant Pius Quint beach, is a tiny beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in a built-up area south of the town, south of sa Conca beach. It is 10 m long and 10 m wide, made up of stones and rocks, along with sediment from the Sant Pius V stream that flows into it. The beach is accessible to dogs. The name comes from the Italian pope Pius V, who organised the Holy League that defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto. The people of Cadaqués, grateful that the victory led to a decrease in pirate raids, built a small shrine dedicated to Pius V at the top of the beach.
Platja de PortlligatBeach or covePortlligat beach is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the small settlement of Portlligat, home to the Salvador Dalí House-Museum, within the Bay of Portlligat, just over a kilometre from the town centre. Facing east, it is well sheltered by the s'Oliguera peninsula and Portlligat island. It is 186 m long with an average width of 21 m, made up of coarse sand and stones, with a gently sloping entry into the water and a shallow bay. Part of the beach area, the section closest to the houses, is used by fishermen's boats. There are no services, but there are two bars and in summer kayaks can be hired. It is accessible by road, with nearby parking. The pebbles that make up the beach, known locally as passanelles for the hops they make across the sea when skimmed, are collected by tourists as souvenirs, despite a municipal ban on taking them away. To help reverse this plundering, campaigns are held to return passanelles to the beach.
Platja de s'AlqueriaBeach or coveS'Alqueria beach, or s'Alqueria Gran beach, is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) located in the small bay of Racó des Moro, where you'll also find d'en Ballesta beach, or s'Alqueria Petita, to the north of the town of Portlligat, in a barely developed area, 2 km from the centre of Cadaqués. Facing south-east, it is 59 m long and 20 m wide on average, made up of flat pebbles. Just offshore lies the s'Alqueria islet, near the point of the same name. It is a nudist beach.
Platja de sa ConcaBeach or coveSa Conca beach is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the bay of Cadaqués, at the southern edge of the town, one kilometre from the centre, between the sa Conca point, which closes it off to the north, and the so-called sa Rocassa, to the south, near which lies Pius V beach. It faces east, with a tendency towards the southeast. It is 100 m long and 11 m wide on average, made up of gravel, with a steep slope into the water. Nudism is practised here. To the right of the beach there is a signposted path of about 3.5 kilometres leading to the Calanans lighthouse. The name comes from a hollow near the sea.
Platja de sa SabollaBeach or coveSa Sabolla beach is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located south of the Bay of Cadaqués, near the Calanans lighthouse, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. It is 50 m long and 23 m wide on average, made up of coarse sand, gravel, pebbles and boulders. It is accessed via the coastal path. Nudism is practised here. The beach's name comes from bollar, the bubbles fish make when breathing, a sign that they are abundant here. Mortar used to be extracted on this beach, and there was once a lime kiln here.
Platja de Sant LluísBeach or coveSant Lluís beach is a small natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the bay of Guillola, between Platja d'en Noues and Platja de Guillola, about three kilometres from the village, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Facing south-southeast, it is a sheltered beach tucked between rocks and protected from the wind. It is 14 m long and 8 m wide, made up of pebbles and large rock blocks. It is reached via a path from Platja de Guillola, with steps on the final stretch. It is suitable for nudism.
Platja de ses OliveresBeach or coveSes Oliveres beach is a beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in a small cove within the bay of Cadaqués, where you can also find d'en Ros beach, separated by rocky outcrops, in a built-up area. South-facing, it is 100 m long and 10 m wide, made up of sand and pebbles, with a moderate slope into the water. It is usually full of boats pulled up on the sand. The name Oliveres reveals the former existence of an olive grove in the area. The beach was also previously known as Alfaras beach, after the owner of the neighbouring land. Right on the seafront, opposite the beach, stands the Apezteguía house, listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.
Platja dels PescadorsBeach or covePlatja dels Pescadors, or Platja Gran de Culip, is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the Culip cove, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Facing east, it is 18 m long and 17 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. Nudism is practised here. It is reached via a path that goes down from near the end of the road leading to Cap de Creus, following the rec de Culip stream. On the beach stands the Barraca de Culip, an old fishermen's hut, listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia. In 1930 Luis Buñuel filmed the movie L'Age d'or in this hut and at the nearby Pla de Tudela.
Platja des CaialsBeach or coveCaials beach is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located at the tip of the s'Oliguera peninsula, in a residential area 2 km from the town. It is bounded by Punta de s'Oliguera to the east and Punta des Caials to the south. Facing south - south-east, it is 40 m long and made up mainly of pebbles. The beach has a row of stones dividing it in two. Off the beach, at a depth of about 15 m, lie the remains of the Llanisshen, a British steamer that sank after being torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917, during World War I. In 2021, an explosive device was found underwater in the Caials cove.
Platja des PiancBeach or coveThe Pianc beach is an urban beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) located in the bay of Cadaqués, in the centre of the village, south of Poal beach, with very similar characteristics. It is bordered by the street that runs along the coast of the Oliguera peninsula. It faces southwest, with very good views of the village. It is 40 m long and 10 m wide on average, made up of stones and dark coarse sand, with a gentle slope into the water, and is protected from waves. It is usually occupied by beached fishing boats. The origin of the name is uncertain, but it could refer to a former landowner, or to the name of a well-known local fisherman. At the southern end of the beach are the Norai d'en Tits and the Norai des Pianc, known locally as 'pilons', old 19th-century mooring points, which are included in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia. On the riba des Pianc, Víctor Rahola avenue, stand the Torre Marc Massó and the Casa a la riba des Pianc, 13, both included in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia
Platja des PoalBeach or coveDes Poal beach is an urban beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the bay of Cadaqués, in the centre of the village, between Gran beach and des Pianc beach. It is bordered by the street running along the coast of the Oliguera peninsula. It offers very good views of the village. It faces south, with a tendency towards the southwest, measures 30 m in length and 10 m in average width, is made up of stones and coarse sand, with a gentle slope into the water, and is sheltered from the waves. It is usually occupied by beached fishing boats. The name Poal, meaning bucket, indicates that rainwater from the riera de l'Horta d'en Sagués used to collect in this spot. Right on the seafront, opposite the beach, stand the Antiga farmàcia de Cadaqués (old pharmacy) and the Casa Serinyana des Poal, both included in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia.
Platja FredosaBeach or coveFredosa beach is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the Fredosa cove, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, below the Cap de Creus lighthouse, seven kilometres from the town centre. It is the last of the beaches of the so-called mar d'Avall, which is the entire coastline south of Cap de Creus heading towards Cadaqués. Facing east-southeast, it is 12 m long and 13 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. There are usually many remains of small dry logs brought in by the water. Nudism is practised here. This beach is where the lighthouse keepers of Cap de Creus used to embark, and from where their supplies were sent, before the paved road existed. From the beach, a zigzagging cobbled path climbs up to the lighthouse along the south side of the promontory that holds it, overcoming an 87 m elevation gain. The name Fredosa (meaning "cold") comes from the fact that it is a shaded beach, poorly protected from the wind and rough sea, without sun in the afternoon and with deep waters, all of which make it a cold beach.
Platja GranBeach or covePlatja Gran is an urban beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the centre of the town. It is the largest beach in the bay of Cadaqués, hence its name. It is 205 m long with an average width of 20 m, made up of sand, gravel and pebbles. The beach has three different names: es Portal on the western stretch, sa Platja in the central section, and Portitxó on the eastern stretch. The Agència Catalana de l'Aigua carries out weekly water quality checks during the bathing season, with excellent results. In the central section there are two historic bars, the Marítim and the Boia, both listed as assets of local cultural interest. Between the two buildings stands a statue dedicated to the painter Salvador Dalí, forever linked to the town. On the seafront, right in front of the beach, is the Casino l'Amistat, included in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia. At the eastern end of the beach is the Norai de Portitxol, one of the four 'pilons', as they are known locally, remnants of the 19th-century harbour structures in the bay.
Platja Gran de Cala JugadoraBeach or covePlatja Gran de Cala Jugadora is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in Cala Jugadora, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Facing east, it is 15 m long and 17 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. It is reached via a footpath, the old route from Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, which descends from near the end of the road leading to Cap de Creus. Nudism is practised here. It is believed to be called Jugadora because fishermen used to play cards here while waiting for the tramontana wind to allow them to cast their nets or go fishing in the mar d'Amunt (the stretch of sea above Cap de Creus).
Platja GuillolaBeach or coveGuillola beach is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the Guillola bay, next to the Cudera point, six kilometres from the town, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. It is reached via a path that descends from the old coastal path, which can be accessed from the road between Cadaqués and the Cap de Creus lighthouse. Facing south, it is sheltered from the tramontana wind. It is 50 m long and 10 m wide on average, made up of gravel and pebbles. The name is a diminutive of 'guilla' (fox), a carnivorous mammal still found in the area. In the past, a fishing method called 'eixugador' was practised on this beach, which involved lighting a fire at night, using burning wood, to attract fish.
Platja Port d'AlguerBeach or covePort Alguer beach, or Port d'Alguer, also known as Portdoguer beach, is an urban beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) located on the bay of Cadaqués, right in the centre of town, in the Port Alguer neighbourhood, near des Portal beach and Gran beach. Facing south-east, it is 56.5 m long with an average width of 19.4 m, made up of stones and coarse dark-coloured sand. Fishing boats are always pulled up on the sand. The beach, very picturesque as it is surrounded by harmonious white-painted houses, some with porches, and overlooked by the nearby Santa Maria church, became famous after being depicted in a 1924 painting by Salvador Dalí. It is bordered to the north by Riba Nemesi Llorens street and to the south by Riba Pitxot, where you'll find the monument to the Lidia de Cadaqués, by Ramon Moscardó, which looks out towards the other side of the bay, where there is another similar sculpture.- Zona naturista de Cala JugadoraBeach or covePlatja Gran de Cala Jugadora is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in Cala Jugadora, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Facing east, it is 15 m long and 17 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. It is reached via a footpath, the old route linking Cap de Creus to Cadaqués, which descends from near the end of the road leading to Cap de Creus. Nudism is practised here. It is believed to take its name Jugadora ("player") because fishermen used to play cards here while waiting for the tramontana wind to let them cast their nets or go fishing in the mar d'Amunt (the stretch of sea above Cap de Creus).
- Cala SecaBeach or coveCala Seca is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located within the Cap de Creus Natural Park, between Cala Torta and Ribes Altes beach, about five kilometres north of the town. Facing south, it is 20 m long and between 10 and 15 m wide, made up of pebbles. Access is difficult, via a path that descends from near the end of the road leading to Cap de Creus. The beach is tucked into an elongated cove that shelters it from the tramontana wind, formed by rocks and stones sculpted and eroded over time.
- Platja ConfiteraBeach or coveSa Confitera beach, also called sa Confitera, and formerly known as Confits beach, is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located 2 km from the town, on the s'Oliguera peninsula, between s'Arenella beach and en Sanés beach, very close to the island of s'Arenella. It is 24 m long and 12 m wide on average, made up of fine sand, gravel and pebbles. It is bordered by the dirt track that runs along the seafront. Submerged in the water, you can find the remains of a 1921 shipwreck, the boiler of the French coasting vessel Douaumont. The name comes from the fact that the beach used to be covered in many white stones, coated with a thin layer of salt from the storms and the constant motion of the waves, which made them look like sweets.
- Platja d'en NouesBeach or covePlatja d'en Noues, or Platja de ses Noues, is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the Guillola bay, between Platja d'en Paquela and Platja de Sant Lluís, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Facing south-southeast, it is 38 m long and 23 m wide on average, made up of pebbles. Nudism is practised here. The name comes from the family who once owned the olive trees near the beach. The transport of olives by boat had been very important, so much so that this beach was once known as the port of Noues.
- Platja d'en SanésBeach or covePlatja d'en Sanés, also known as Racó d'en Sanés or d'en Senés, is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) located at the tip of the s'Oliguera peninsula, between Platja de sa Confitera and Platja des Caials. Facing east-southeast, it is 12 m long and 32 m wide, made up of gravel and pebbles. Entering the water can be tricky due to the many rocky formations that surface at water level or lie just below it. The beach is bordered to the south by the reef known as Punta des Bou Marí and to the east by the Forallons de sa Llúdria.
- Platja d'en Talla DofinsBeach or coveTalla Dofins beach, or Talladofins beach, is a natural beach in the municipality of Cadaqués (Alt Empordà), located in the southernmost part of the Guillola bay, within the Cap de Creus Natural Park. Although it faces north, it is sheltered as it lies inside the bay. It is 11 m long and 15 m wide on average, made up of flat pebbles. It can be reached via a path from s'Alqueria beach. The name comes from the fact that dolphins used to be common in the area, and were hunted and butchered as they were direct competition for the fishermen.