Important Information:
Measurements preceded by "approx." are indicative. Seasonal services —such as showers, bars, water-sports rentals or lifeguards— may change. Natural coves usually have no lifeguard service, shade or drinking water.
This guide is indicative; for greater safety, before your visit check the updated information on the official Cadaqués tourism website: https://www.visitcadaques.org/, in case there have been changes to access, services or regulations.
Family key
- Good choice: Easy access and conditions generally suitable for families, always with adult supervision.
- With caution: Better suited to older children or those used to walking, pebbles and snorkelling.
- Not very suitable for the youngest: Demanding access, isolation, rocks, exposure to waves or a total lack of services.
Index by area
- Cap de Creus and the wilder northern coast
- S'Alqueria and Portlligat
- Caials, el Ros and central Cadaqués
- Southern side of the bay
- Micro-coves that some guides count separately
- Recommendations by type of visit
- Practical information and sources
Cap de Creus and the wilder northern coast
Coves in a protected setting, mostly pebbly and without lifeguards or beach services. In the strict reserve sectors you may only move along the authorised, signposted routes.
| Beach or cove | Length | Location and nearby services | Children and features |
| Cala Portaló | 45 m | Beyond the Cap de Creus lighthouse; access on foot. No services at the cove. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Remote, natural and with demanding access; it has a small strip of sand. |
| Es Gentils | approx. 20 m | Near Cala Culip and the Tudela area. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Gravel and rock; reached by a footpath and sometimes considered part of Culip. |
| Cala Culip | 14 m | North of Cap de Creus, about 8 km from the village. Parking or shuttle some distance away; no services on the shore. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Very rocky, exposed and hard to reach. |
| Cala Fredosa | 8 m | Below the Cap de Creus lighthouse. Dining in the lighthouse area, not at the cove. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Tiny, rocky and reached by a walk down. |
| Cala Jugadora | 13 m | Near Fredosa and the lighthouse. The lighthouse services are relatively close. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Very attractive for snorkelling, but remote and without facilities. |
| Cala Guillola | 50 m | Coast between Portlligat and Cap de Creus; footpath from the road. No direct services. | With caution. Suitable for older children used to walking; pebbles and a natural setting. |
| Ses Noues | 12 m | About 3 km north of Cadaqués. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Difficult access and very little space. |
| Sant Lluís | 35 m | Between Guillola and Es Jonquet, 3–4 km from the centre. No services. | With caution. Quiet and natural; it is advisable to bring water, sun protection and suitable footwear. |
| Es Jonquet | 21 m | A little over 2 km to the north, in a small cove. No services. | With caution. Secluded and good for snorkelling, but with access on foot and a stony bottom. |
S'Alqueria and Portlligat
The bay of Portlligat is more sheltered than the outer coast. It is an interesting area for families, although the presence of boats and the soft bottom call for attention.
| Beach or cove | Length | Location and nearby services | Children and features |
| S'Alqueria Gran | 50 m | North of Portlligat; relatively easy access on foot or by car. Parking nearby; no bar on site. | With caution. Easy to reach, although pebbles and rocks predominate. |
| S'Alqueria Petita | 18 m | Between S'Alqueria Gran and Portlligat. Parking nearby. | With caution. Very small; suitable for a short swim. |
| Sant Antoni | 55 m | Eastern entrance to the bay of Portlligat. Parking and a residential area nearby. | With caution. Accessible, but with stones and few on-site services. |
| Portlligat | 170 m | Next to the Dalí House-Museum. Bars, restaurants, parking and water activities nearby. | Good choice. A sheltered, shallow bay; watch out for boats, seaweed and the soft bottom. |
| Platja de l'illa de Portlligat | no data | On the island itself; access only by sea. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. It does not work as a conventional family beach; it requires a boat or kayak. |
| Cala d'en Pep Ton | approx. 31 m | Opposite the island of Portlligat. No direct services. | With caution. Small, with gravel and coarse sand; it is among the areas where dogs are allowed. |
| Es Calders | 24 m | Opposite Portlligat; reached on foot. No services. | With caution. Access of medium difficulty and a mix of pebbles and sand; dogs are also allowed. |
Caials, el Ros and central Cadaqués
This is the most convenient area for combining swimming, dining and strolling. El Ros and Portdoguer stand out for their easy access and because they are suitable for families.
| Beach or cove | Length | Location and nearby services | Children and features |
| Sa Confitera | 20 m | Residential area of Caials. Streets and parking nearby; no direct services. | With caution. Very small and stony. |
| S'Aranella | 23 m | In Caials, next to Sa Confitera. Residential area and parking. | With caution. Simple access, although there is little space. |
| D'en Pere Fet | 65 m | Punta de Caials. Parking nearby. | With caution. Wider than other coves in the area, but still rocky. |
| Platja del Ros | 73 m | Eastern part of the bay, about 15–20 minutes on foot from the centre. Parking and a bar nearby; possible seasonal shower. | Good choice. One of the best for families: shallow water, easy access and a mix of coarse sand and stones. |
| Ses Oliveres | 60 m | Opposite el Ros, on the way to the centre. Dining and water activities nearby. | Good choice. Convenient for families, with kayaking and a lively atmosphere. |
| Es Pianc | 22 m | On the seafront promenade, near the centre. Bars and restaurants right there. | Good choice. Easy for a short swim; small and busy. |
| Es Poal | 25 m | Between Es Pianc and the central beach. Restaurants and shops very close. | Good choice. Urban and accessible; watch out for boats. |
| La Plaja / Platja Gran | 110 m | In the centre, in front of the old town. Restaurants, shops, water activities and possible seasonal shower. | Good choice. The most practical, although it is busy and there are boats around. |
| Portdoguer / Port d'Alguer | 48 m | Below the church of Santa Maria, next to the centre. Bars, restaurants, a walkway and an amphibious wheelchair. | Good choice. Suitable for families and the best option indicated for people with reduced mobility. |
Southern side of the bay
It includes beaches close to the town and other more remote coves. Llané Gran and Llané Petit are the most practical options; Sa Sabolla and Jòncols have more of a hiking character.
| Beach or cove | Length | Location and nearby services | Children and features |
| Llané Gran | 89 m | A few minutes south of the centre. Parking nearby and possible seasonal shower. | Good choice. Spacious for Cadaqués and fairly sheltered from the tramuntana wind. |
| Llané Petit | 54 m | A continuation of Llané Gran. Parking nearby. | Good choice. Quiet and accessible; pebble surface. |
| Es Sortell | 50 m | After Llané Petit, at the Es Sortell point. Parking relatively nearby. | With caution. A path and stones; it is among the beaches where dogs are allowed. |
| Sant Pius V | approx. 10 m | Next to Sa Conca. Parking nearby. | With caution. Easy to reach, but tiny, rocky and with sediment; dogs allowed. |
| Sa Conca | 84 m | South of Cadaqués, accessible by road and promenade. Parking nearby. | Good choice with caution. Quiet and family-friendly, although it has no bar on site and is pebbly. |
| Sa Sabolla | 50 m | On the way to the Cala Nans lighthouse. No services; it requires a considerable walk. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Isolated, without shade and with demanding access. |
| Cala Jòncols / Joncos | 175 m | At the southern edge of the municipality, towards Roses. A bar and restaurant near the cove. | Not very suitable for the youngest because of the distance and access. Excellent for enjoying nature, diving and snorkelling. |
Micro-coves that some guides count separately
These small coves do not always appear as independent units in the municipal counts, or else they are considered subdivisions of larger beaches.
| Beach or cove | Length | Location and nearby services | Children and features |
| Cala Seca | approx. 20 m | Cap de Creus; access on foot or by sea. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Rock and pebbles. |
| Cala Torta | approx. 7 m | Near Cala Seca. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Minuscule and rocky. |
| Es Sortell d'en Ter | approx. 22 m | A small nook next to Es Sortell and a few homes. | With caution. Little space and a stony bottom. |
| Es Portal | no consistent data | Next to Platja Gran, separated by the Sant Vicenç stream. Town services nearby. | Good choice. Central and convenient access. |
| Cala Bona | approx. 22 m | Cap de Creus; access on foot or by sea. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Good for snorkelling and frequented by naturists. |
| Cala Cullaró | approx. 21 m | Near the lighthouse, in a remarkable geological landscape. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Natural, rocky access. |
| Ses Ielles | approx. 13 m | Between Cala Bona and Jugadora; access only on foot. No services. | Not very suitable for the youngest. Very small and isolated. |
| Es Caials | approx. 40 m | Residential area of Caials; easy access by car or on foot. | With caution. Rocky setting, good for snorkelling. |
Recommendations by type of visit
With young children: Platja del Ros, Llané Gran, Portdoguer, La Plaja and Portlligat.
With older children who enjoy walking and snorkelling: S'Alqueria Gran, Es Jonquet, Sant Lluís, Sa Conca and Es Caials.
To enjoy wild scenery and peace and quiet: Portaló, Jugadora, Culip, Cullaró, Sa Sabolla and Jòncols.
For people with reduced mobility: Portdoguer / Port d'Alguer, thanks to the walkway and the indicated availability of an amphibious wheelchair.
To have dining and shops nearby: La Plaja, Es Poal, Es Pianc, Portdoguer, Ses Oliveres and Portlligat.
Gear tip: along almost the entire coast water shoes are very useful, since pebbles, rocks and stony bottoms predominate. It is also advisable to bring water, sun protection and closed footwear to the coves reached on foot.
Practical information
- Access to Cap de Creus: In summer, traffic restrictions may apply between Cadaqués and the lighthouse, with park-and-ride parking and a shuttle service. It is advisable to check the current schedule before setting off.
- Tramuntana: It can rapidly change swimming conditions. A calm cove in the morning can become more exposed a few hours later.
- Seasonal services: Showers, lifeguards, bars and water-sports rentals may not operate every day or throughout the season.
- Dogs: The municipal regulations cited in the reference information include Sant Pius V, Es Sortell, Cala d'en Pep Ton and Es Calders as authorised areas.
- Smoke-free beaches: The municipal information cited points to Llané Petit, Portdoguer and el Ros.

