Salvador Dalí and Portlligat: The Refuge of the Genius
Portlligat is a small cove near Cadaqués (Alt Empordà) where Salvador Dalí lived and worked for decades. Today, his home-studio is a fascinating museum that reveals his creative and eccentric world.
Portlligat is a small, picturesque cove located in the municipality of Cadaqués, in the Alt Empordà region (Girona, Catalonia). It is located on the Costa Brava, in an area of great natural beauty, surrounded by the Cap de Creus Natural Park.
It was Salvador Dalí's home from the 1930s until 1982 (when Gala died and he moved to Púbol Castle). Here he created many of his masterpieces, inspired by the light and rocky landscape.
🏡 The Dalí House-Museum in Portlligat
The house is full of absurd objects (like a lobster telephone).
Dalí said that the Tramuntana wind inspired him (and also drove him crazy!).
📍 Location: Portlligat (Cadaqués), Costa Brava.
🕒 Opening Hours:
Open from March to January (closed in February).
What to see in Dalí's house?
- The Labyrinth of Rooms
- The house is a collage of spaces added by Dalí over the years, connected by narrow hallways and staircases.
- The Workshop: Where he painted masterpieces such as The Persistence of Memory.
- The Bear Room: With a stuffed bear holding a lamp.
- The Bedroom: With a lip-shaped headboard (inspired by Mae West).
- The Garden and the Pool
Dalí designed a surreal garden with giant eggs, a sofa in the shape of lips and strange sculptures.
The pool has a fish mouth at the edge, typical of his dreamlike style.
Views of Portlligat Bay
From the terrace, you can see the islet of Portlligat (which Dalí painted in several works) and the Mediterranean Sea.
🌊 Portlligat: A Magical Corner
Inspiring landscape: The light and calm of this cove influenced Dalí.
Activities:
- Walk through the fishing village of Cadaqués (white and picturesque).
- Visit Portlligat beach (small and rocky, ideal for snorkeling).
- Excursion to Cap de Creus (where Dalí found rock shapes that he used in his paintings).
Other Key Places on the Costa Brava are:
Dalí Theatre-Museum (Figueres)
The largest collection of his works, including gems such as Galatea of the Spheres.
Buried here (his tomb is in the crypt).
Púbol Castle (Girona)
He gave this Gothic castle to his muse, Gala. Today it is a museum with his mausoleum.
Cadaqués
Dalí spent his childhood here. Don't miss:
Dalí's summer house (in the town center).
Bar L'Hostal, where he met with artists such as Picasso and Lorca.
📌 Visiting Tips
✅ Book in advance (tickets to the Portlligat house sell out quickly).
🚗 How to get there:
By car from Figueres (~1h) or Barcelona (~2h 30min).
Limited parking in Portlligat (best to arrive early).
⏳ Duration: The house tour takes ~1 hour. Combine it with Cadaqués and Cap de Creus.