Cadaqués has managed to retain its small town charm despite being one of the best known towns on the Costa Brava.
It attracts an artistic crowd who continue to flock there year after year and instantly recognisable. Cadaqués is all whitewashed houses and narrow streets dominated by the church of Santa Maria.
One of the many narrow streets in Cadaqués leading to the sea (PixaBay)
The accommodation
One of the reasons for Cadaqués’ charm is how unspoilt it is. Here you can expect to stay in family run accommodation situated in picturesque cobbled streets.
Hotels are, almost without exception, whitewashed and most are decorated in a rather minimalist style. White interiors with colour is the signature look of Cadaqués hotels. The ten hotels and hostals are the best in Cadaqués according to guests who have left reviews online. None accepts pets and a number don’t accept children either.
Arrels Hotel Cadaqués
Urb. Majoira/Carretera de Roses a Cadaques
This highly regarded family run hotel boasts a commanding view over Cadaqués and the sea beyond. Back in the 1960s the hotel, then a nightclub, was one of Salvador Dalí’s favourite hangouts.
The hotel is whitewashed in and out and has terracotta roof tiles – all very traditional. The thirteen double rooms and one single are separate from the main hotel building. The rather large garden has olive and pine trees and guests can cool off in the pool.
It’s on the outskirts of the village but, given the scale of Cadaqués, it’s still only 500 metres from the sea. There is free parking and a charge point for electric vehicles. Note that it doesn’t accept pets or anyone under the age of 18.
Hotel Horta d’en Rahola
**** Carrer de Sa Tarongeta, 1
This family run 4-star boutique hotel is 250 metres from the main beach. But while it’s on the edge of town the Horta d’en Rahola is still close enough to get to the shops and restaurants by foot.
Built to a traditional design, guests will enjoy the rambling gardens and swimming pool. Guest rooms are simply painted white with some wood and blue highlights, while in the communal areas there is lots of stone on display. The lounge even has stone arches and all-in-all it just oozes good taste.
Rooms are equipped with a coffee machine and mini bar and highly rated by guests for comfort. The staff is friendly and helpful too. The hotel doesn’t accept pets and recommends you reserve parking in advance.
Hostal Vehí
** Carrer de l’Esglèsia, 6
Just 100 metres from the beach, Hostal Vehí is tucked among the narrow cobbled streets of the old town with whitewashed houses. The hostal dates from 1944 and is located right next to the church of Santa Maria, one of the most iconic views of Cadaqués.
Rooms are bright and airy with modern decor and all have a private bathroom. There is a bar and basic dining room for breakfast and staff are friendly. Guests consider the hostal to offer extremely good value.
Pets are not accepted but there is parking available onsite. You need to book in advance and there is a fee.
Tramuntana Hotel
** Carrer de la Torre, 9
Named after the furious north wind that rattles through the narrow streets of Cadaqués, this 2-star hotel is in the old town just 150 metres from the beach.
The hotel has been refurbished and extended with a clean white design in and out. Apparently it was once the family home of the owners. Inside it has a simple modern look with some exposed stonework.
Guest ares served a breakfast buffet with local ingredients and the staff are friendly and helpful, offering advice on where to eat if you ask. Room service is offered during the day but the hotel doesn’t accept kids or pets and while there is no parking available you can park nearby for €18 per day.
Hotel Playa Sol
**** Carrer de Pianc, 3
Right on the tiny Es Pianc beach, this 4-star hotel has a fantastic view over the bay. It is 300 metres from the village and so you look directly towards the Cadaqués with the church standing proud.
The hotel is constructed in a traditional design with fantastic gardens with olive trees. The hotel’s restaurant opens for lunch and there is a bar with terrace and pool. Towels for the pool are provided free of charge. You’ll also find a Jacuzzi, steam bath and a tennis court.
Rooms and airy and modern, many with a sea or garden view. Family rooms are available but pets are not accepted and they hotel recommends you reserve parking at €10-€14 per day.
Hotel Villa Gala
**** Carrer Solitari, 3
This 4-star boutique hotel is less than five minutes from the beach and has great views of the village and church. In 2016 Trivago rated it as one of the top ten beach hotels in Spain.
It’s modern but sympathetic to its surroundings and consists of a number of villas in the grounds of the hotel. The exterior is all stone and whitewash while the interiors are as tastefully minimalist as you expect in Cadaqués. All fourteen rooms have a sea view with balcony or terrace and equipped with a coffee machine. There are family rooms with two double beds but, as seems standard in Cadaqués, pets are not accepted.
The hotel has a swimming pool with sun loungers. There is also a bar and a restaurant specialising in local cuisine. Although there is no onsite parking you can park nearby for €18 per day.
Hotel Calina
** Avenida Salvador Dalí, 33
This 2-star hotel is in Portlligat and less than 100 metres from the beach. It’s also 50 metres away from the house where Salvador Dalí lived at worked. It’s now a museum but you must pre-book.
Like many of the hotels listed here Hotel Calina is family run with a helpful and friendly staff. Rooms have a terrace and furnished with sun loungers or table and chairs. They are light and airy with a plain, simple decor. It’s low, classic and comfortable tasteful. You’ll either have a view of the mountains, the sea or the pool and gardens.
The pool is a decent size for swimming plus there is a smaller one kids. The restaurant serves Catalan cuisine at lunchtime and tapas until 8pm. You can eat in the dining room or, more likely on warm summer nights, out on the terrace.
Hotel Blaumar Cadaqués
*** Carrer Massa d’Or, 21
Hotel Blaumar is a traditional style hotel with 27 rooms set in beautiful gardens. The blue and white colour scheme perfectly matches the Mediterranean environment and it’s just 100 metres from the beach.
It’s family run with great staff and situated on one side of the bay, some ten minutes from the old town. Rooms are bright and airy and most have a balcony. If you’re lucky you’ll get a great view towards Cadaqués. There are also family rooms in addition to the doubles and twins.
Breakfast is served until late, which is great if you’re not an early riser, and there is a bar where you can order snacks. Past guests have commented on how quiet other guests are here. It’s family run and staff can advise on restaurants and anything else you need. Onsite parking costs €12 per day and reservation is required. Pets are not accepted.
Hostal Marina Cadaqués
Carrer Riera Sant Vicenç, 3
The Marina is a traditional old hotel less then 100 metres from the main beach in a lively area of town. It’s just off the promenade and so there’s something going on for much of the day and night.
The family run hostal is one of the oldest in Cadaqués with family rooms as well as the standard doubles and twins. Staff are friendly and efficient and there is a restaurant that serves Catalan dishes.
Rooms are comfortable but basic and white painted that tends to plain rather than minimalist. They are airy and equipped with a fridge. While those at the front have a balcony or terrace, rooms at the back are quieter. They are shielded better from the noise of the promenade and street.
Pets are not accepted and there is no parking, although you can park close by for €18 per day.
L’Hostalet de Cadaques
Carrer Miquel Rosset, 13
This small whitewashed hostal has just eight rooms with either a single or small double bed. It’s the main shopping street and colourful with bougainvillea and only 200 metres from the beach.
As well as shops there are bars and clubs, so it can be rather noisy here. The owners are upfront about this and advise you close the double glazed windows at night and use the aircon so you’re not disturbed. The target market for this hostal is young couples so if you’re looking to enjoy the nightlife and not bothered by the noise then this is a good option.
Some of the rooms are rather oddly shaped but that lends to the quirkiness of the hostal. The rooms are attractive though and have a private bathroom. Guests have commented on how communicative the owners are prior to arrival.
For even more choice see Costa Brava hotels, which lists all the hotel pages on this site.
