Essentials
- City
- Cadaqués, Alt Empordà, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 2,900 (up to 30,000 in summer)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available, average 300 Mbps; 5G coverage by Movistar and Orange is stable in town center.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include CaixaBank and BBVA on Riba de la Meitat.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink but high mineral content; many locals prefer bottled or filtered water.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets.
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone. Nearest official stores are in Roses or Figueres; local kiosks sell prepaid cards.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used; CaixaBank is the most accessible local branch.
- Accommodation
- Mostly holiday rentals and boutique hotels. Airbnb and local agencies like Finques Cadaqués dominate.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payments are accepted in almost all restaurants and shops.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO; expect €1,200 - €2,000/month for a 1-bed in off-season.
- Budget Accommodation
- Camping Cadaqués (bungalows and plots) or Hotel Octavia for mid-range budget options.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Casco Antiguo (Old Town) for proximity to the church and waterfront.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Llané or Llané Petit areas for quieter surroundings and easier parking while remaining walkable.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated commercial coworking; many nomads use 'La Frontera' (local library/cultural space) or shared tables at Hotel Playa Sol.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Brown Sugar (Carrerd'es Call) - bohemian vibe with good Wi-Fi; Cafeteria Sirena on the waterfront for early morning sessions.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at 'Boia Nit' bar; artistic retreats organized by local galleries.
- Social Events for Expats
- Cadaqués Community Facebook groups and local 'Intercambio' language nights at Bar Melitón.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use local Taxi Cadaqués (+34 972 25 83 33). Average fare to Figueres is €60-€70.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Rentat de Cotxes Cadaqués or local shops near the entrance of town; E-bikes recommended due to steep hills.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Platja de Ses Oliveres or the remote Cala Culip in Cap de Creus.
- Top Regional Airline
- Vueling (operating from Barcelona El Prat or Girona-Costa Brava).
- Top International Airline
- Iberia, Lufthansa, and Ryanair (Girona Airport is 1 hour 15 mins away).
- Highway Access
- Accessed via the winding GI-614 road; connects to the AP-7 (Autopista del Mediterráneo) at Figueres.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Figueres-Vilafant (AVE High-Speed Train station) 45 minutes away by car/bus.
- Public Transport Passes
- Sarfa Bus (Moventis) connects Cadaqués to Barcelona and Figueres; tickets approx €25 to Barcelona.
- Regional Travel
- Sarfa Bus for daily routes; ferry services to Roses and Empuriabrava during summer.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Figueres (45 mins away). Local clinic: CAP Cadaqués for primary care on Carrer de Guillem de Bruguera.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Cadaqués (seasonal classes near the beach); private sessions often available at Boutique Hotel Villa Gala.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pabellón Polideportivo Municipal (Municipal Sports Hall) offers basic gym equipment and courts.
- Laundry Services
- Bugaderia Cadaqués on Carrer de l'M d'en Paia (€5-€10 per load).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Most local pizzerias (like Es Pi) offer independent delivery via phone call.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Suquet de Peix (Fish stew) or 'Taps de Cadaqués' (sponge cake dessert) at Pastisseria La Mallorquina.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Tiramisu (Vegetarian-friendly pastas) and Nord-Est for high-quality plant-based salads.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastisseria Cabrisas for traditional Taps; JOAN ice cream shop on the seafront.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Spar or Valvi Supermarkets in the town center; weekly Monday Market (Mercadillo) for fresh produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es delivers to Cadaqués (2-3 days delivery due to mountain road).
- Grocery Delivery
- Valvi Supermercats offers local delivery for orders over a certain amount.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Carrer de Miquel Rosset (locally known as 'The Street of Bars').
- Local Brewery
- Cervesa Cadaqués (artisanal local beer served at Bar Mut and local shops).
- Wine Bars
- Enoteca Sa Xarxa for Empordà region DO wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Limited; mostly take-away slices from Pizzeria MIME on the main square.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurant Compartir (Modern Catalan/Global fusion by ex-El Bulli chefs).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- House-Museum of Salvador Dalí in Portlligat (€15 entry, booking essential).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu de Cadaqués (featuring Dali and local history); Galeria Iturria.
- Historical Sites
- Church of Santa Maria (16th-century baroque altarpiece); Old Town watchtower.
- Religious Sites
- Església de Santa Maria de Cadaqués, overlooking the bay.
- Annual Events
- International Music Festival of Cadaqués (August); Festa Major (September).
- Cultural Districts
- The entire Old Town is a protected historic site.
- Theater Venues
- Teatre Art i Joia (Host to films and community performances).
- Local Markets
- Monday Morning Market at Riba Nemesi Llorens (Clothing, food, crafts).
- Music Scene
- Live jazz at Cafe de la Habana; sunset DJ sets at Boia Nit.
- Street Art
- Minimal due to preservation laws; focus is on traditional white-washed architecture.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions occasionally offered by chefs at local 'Es Portal' restaurant.
- Art Galleries
- Galeria Marges-U; Galeria Cadaqués (pioneered by Lanfranco Bombelli).
- Historic Buildings
- Casa Serinyana (Modernista blue-tiled house on the seafront).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Cadaquésenc' dialect and the town's seafaring and coral-fishing history.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Cap de Creus Natural Park, the easternmost point of the Iberian Peninsula.
- National Parks Nearby
- Aiguamolls de l'Empordà (Wetlands) - 30 minutes away by car.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Camí de Ronda (Coastal path) heading south towards Roses or north to the lighthouse.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cap de Creus Lighthouse; Viewpoint from the top of the church hill.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Cliffs of Cap de Creus for spotting shags and peregrine falcons.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in the Natural Park; only allowed during 'Sant Joan' festival in designated town areas.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Oficina de Correos (Post Office) on Carrer de l'M d'en Paia.
- Tech Repair Services
- None in town; must travel to Figueres (e.g., PC Box Figueres).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at the municipal sports area near the school.
- Language Classes
- Occasional Catalan/Spanish courses provided by the Town Hall (Ajuntament).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca de Cadaqués (La Frontera) - small but quiet with sea views.
- Community Centers
- Societat l’Amistat (historic casino and cultural hub).
- Gaming Lounges
- None available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Peralada (35 mins away in a medieval castle).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €6,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €227,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €157,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €6,000 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €330,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €231,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,800 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €493,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,900 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €331,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate in Spain).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 28% depending on amount.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (over 183 days/year).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (on income over €300,000).
- VAT
- 21% standard; 10% for restaurants/hotels.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) paid annually to the Ajuntament.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 10% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in Catalonia.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Spain's Digital Nomad Visa allows for Beckham Law application (24% flat tax on Spanish income for 6 years).