Winter: traditions, festivities and seafood cuisine
Winter in Cadaqués has a life of its own. With the arrival of the Christmas holidays, the village celebrates the Festa Major d'Hivern, dedicated to the Mare de Déu de l'Esperança. At the start of the year, one of the most distinctive traditions is the aplec del Sol Ixent at the Cap de Creus lighthouse: a gathering to watch the year's first sunrise in an unforgettable landscape.
Later comes Sant Sebastià, a deeply rooted celebration among the people of Cadaqués. The walk up to the hermitage is part of a day that combines path, gathering and tradition. And, as winter draws to a close, Carnival fills the streets with costumes and floats, with the bay as its backdrop.
If the weekend you choose doesn't coincide with any festival, winter is still a good time to discover the village. You can wander the old quarter, stroll along the seafront and end the day with seafood cuisine. Check which restaurants are open and let yourself be guided by the dishes and produce they offer that season.
Spring: culture, fairs and the first trips out to sea
In spring, the paths once again invite you to spend hours outdoors. It's a good time to walk to Portlligat, explore a route in the Cap de Creus Natural Park or combine a stroll with a visit to the Salvador Dalí House, which requires prior booking.
Cultural life also comes to the fore. Around Sant Jordi, the Setmana Cultural (Culture Week) brings books, literary activities, music and events for different ages to the village. Depending on each year's programme, you may also find fairs, gatherings linked to local cooking, concerts and art-related activities.
When sea conditions allow and operators are running trips, spring can be the time to take up diving, kayaking or boat excursions again. If you fancy seeing Cadaqués from the water, check with the activity companies before planning your trip: availability depends on the season and the weather.
Summer: music, crafts and seafaring traditions
In summer, the beaches and coves are part of the plan, but the village calendar offers much more. The Mare de Déu del Carme keeps alive Cadaqués's bond with the sea, with celebrations that traditionally include a maritime procession and activities in the bay.
It is also a time for concerts. The Cadaqués Music Festival is part of the village's summer, and the cultural programme may include performances in spaces as special as the church of Santa Maria. Throughout the season there are also fairs of artists and craftspeople, exhibitions and guided routes that let you discover the Cadaqués of the fishermen, the artists and Dalí.
If you prefer an active weekend, you can combine a diving or kayaking trip with a short walk and an afternoon on the beach. Before heading to the coves of Cap de Creus, check the access points and the natural park's guidance.
Late summer and autumn: Festa Major, photography and calm
As summer begins to say goodbye, Cadaqués lives one of its most festive moments: the Festa Major d'Estiu. It's an occasion to find havaneres, sardanes, giants, traditional games and customs as local as the cursa de dolls. In this period, water sports also tend to take centre stage, notably the Marnatón, the open-water swimming crossing.
Well into autumn, culture once again gives a good reason for a getaway. The InCadaqués Festival turns the village into a space for photography, with exhibitions and activities spread across various spots. It's an especially appealing option if you like to combine art, walks and scenery.
Autumn also leaves time for unplanned pleasures: walking to Portlligat, contemplating the rock forms of Cap de Creus, stepping into a gallery that happens to be open, or lingering over a long meal of local cuisine.
Which weekend will you choose?
Cadaqués can be a getaway of festivities, photography, music, diving or simply the sea. Not all of these activities take place every weekend, but each season has its own offerings.
When you decide to come, check the Cadaqués Tourist Office agenda to see what has been scheduled for those days. And if you feel like staying close to the bay to enjoy the village at your own pace, we look forward to welcoming you at the Riba Pitxot apartments.