The road to Cadaqués is an experience in itself: it winds vertiginously through the foothills of the Cap de Creus massif, with tight hairpin bends that test the driver’s concentration and the passenger’s stomach. But just when it seems as though it will never end, one of the most iconic images on the Costa Brava unfolds before you: the bay of Cadaqués spreading out at your feet like a painting.
From this roadside viewpoint on the GI-614, you gain a privileged overview of the whole whitewashed village of Cadaqués, with its lime-washed houses climbing the hillsides, crowned by the imposing silhouette of the church of Santa Maria. Beyond it lies the enclosed, sapphire bay, sheltered by the mountains of the Cap de Creus that fall straight into the sea. This is the classic vantage point the one from the postcards and photographs that have travelled the world but in person it is far bigger, quieter and more moving than any image can convey.
The morning light, when the sun rises from the east and bathes the white façades, is particularly dramatic. In the late afternoon, the village falls into shade and the sea takes on shades of copper and gold. We recommend stopping at both moments if possible. The walk from the village along marked trails is also an excellent option for those who want to savour the landscape at a gentler pace.