Cadaques and Portlligat

Cadaques sits at the end of a winding road in the Cap de Creus natural park, and the journey is part of the charm. White houses climb a hillside around a small bay, a Baroque church crowns the old town, and boats rock in the harbour. For decades the village drew artists and writers, and Salvador Dali made it his base, living in a house at nearby Portlligat that is now a museum. This day trip from Girona includes tickets to the Dali House-Museum, whose timed entry is hard to arrange alone, and gives you free time in Cadaques to wander, swim or lunch. It is the most scenic of the Dali excursions, trading the surreal spectacle of Figueres for sea light and quiet.

The drive from Girona takes you across the Emporda plain and over the last ridge, where the road drops in hairpins to the sea. The first view of the bay is a highlight. In Cadaques the group typically walks to the church of Santa Maria, with its large gilded altarpiece, then through the narrow, whitewashed lanes to the waterfront.

You can stroll the promenade, swim from the small beaches, or sit at a cafe with a glass of local wine. The village is lively in summer, and a few steps from the main street you find quiet corners where fishermen still mend nets.

The Dali House-Museum at Portlligat is a short drive or walk from town. The house grew from a fisherman's hut into a labyrinth of connected rooms, with a studio, a library, an oval bedroom and a garden and terraces. It is small, so entry is controlled, and visits follow a set route with a guide or audio.

The sea is always in view, and you begin to understand why the artist chose this place. Tickets are included in this tour, which removes one of the biggest obstacles of planning independently. Photography inside is usually restricted, so take your pictures outside.

For the best experience, wear sandals or comfortable shoes and bring a swimsuit if you plan to cool off. The road can be slow on summer weekends, so patience helps. Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of mainland Spain, is a short drive away and sometimes added to the itinerary, with its rocky landscape and lighthouse.

If you want a longer exploration of the area, the extended Sant Pere de Rodes version adds a Romanesque monastery. Confirm what is included for your date and the pickup details at booking. Cadaques tends to be quieter in spring and autumn, when the light is soft and the water still warm enough in early autumn for a swim.

Cadaques rewards unhurried time. Walk to the end of the promenade for a view of the bay at sunset if your group's schedule allows it, climb to the church for the panorama over the rooftops, and try the local anchovies, rice dishes and sea urchins when in season. The village also has several small galleries and shops selling ceramics, linen and local olive oil, which make useful gifts. In high summer, arrive early at the beach, because the small coves fill by late morning.

Anyone interested in the wider story of the Cap de Creus can ask the guide about hiking trails, the geology of the cape and the wind known as the tramuntana, which shapes the landscape and local character. On a clear day the light is as dramatic as any painter could ask for. If the weather turns, the tour still works, as the house and the church are indoors, and the village looks moody and photogenic in grey light.