Costa Brava Guide

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  Dali Museum in Figueres

Salvador Dali, the great master of surrealism holds a great appeal for visitors to the Catalan Pyrenees and the Costa Brava. Figueres, Cadaques-Portlligat and Pubol form the three corners of Salvador Dali's Triangle.

Figueres, the capital of the Alt Emporda, is located 37 km north of Girona and 25km south of the border, is forever destined to be associated with Salvador Dali, who was born here and whose extravagant Teatre-Museum Dali attracts more visitors than any other in Spain, apart from Madrid's Prado. Dali's outrageous legacy rather puts the rest of this county town in the shade, but a stroll around the town reveals a pleasant and prosperous old centre with some excellent museums, shops and restaurants.

Often referred to as an island on the coast, the beautiful fishing village of Cadaques has been protected from mass tourism by the tortuous route through the mountains. Cadaques was discovered by the likes of Picasso and Marc Chagall in the early 1900s, but its star quality was assured when Salvador Dali settled at the neighbouring Portlligat cove in 1930, his home has now been turned into a fascinating museum.

The sole reason for visiting Pubol, 8 km northwest of La Bisbal, is a compelling one, since this is where Salvador Dali bought and renovated a derelict castle for his wife Gala , and where he lived and worked for a couple of years after her death in 1982. The Castell Gala-Dali is now a museum giving an engaging insight into the couple's bizarre life together.

Hotel Castell d'Emporda 8 kms from Pubol (Gala-Dali Castle Museum), this 800-year-old Gothic Style castle once belonged to a captain who accompanied Columbus in his discovery of the New World. Napoleon stayed in Castell d'Emporda during the Peninsular War.

Hotel Almadraba Park the suptuous Almadraba Park is located in a quiet bay outside Roses, 17 km from Cadaques (Portlligat Casa-Museu Dali). Hotel has private access to the Almadraba Beach, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis, squash, table tennis and a sauna.

Hotel Playa Sol 1 km southwest of Portlligat (Casa-Museu Dali) Hotel Playa Sol offers comfortable rooms with views onto the sea and the village of Cadaques. In the summer, swimming pool and garden are an invitation to relax under the olive trees and the umbrellas.

Hotel Terraza  Located on the beach of Roses, 17 km from Cadaques, the Terraza is a homely and comfortable hotel with all modern amenities. It has lounges facing the sea, a restaurant serving international cuisine, indoor swimming pool, sauna, hydromassage, mini golf and tennis courts.

Hotel Emporda  The 3 star Hotel Emporda is located 1 km from from Figueres center and the Dali Museum. It was founded by Josep Mercader, one of the most prestigous figures in the Catalan gastronomy, making it an obligatory stop for all lovers of good cuisine.

Hotel Peralada  Hotel Peralada is situated in the Costa Brava, right in the centre of Peralada Golf course. The adjoining medieval village of the same name is a cultural tourist centre with its 14th Century castle ( now housing a casino ), prestigious wine cellars, international music festival and museums.

Hostal de la Font  Set in a restored old convent in the centre of Peralada, the comfortable 3 star Hostal de la Font offers twelve rooms with air conditioning, mini bar, telephone and television.

Hotel Mas Pau  Located 11km southwest of Peralada, and surrounded by splendid gardens, the Restaurant and Hotel Mas Pau occupies a 16th Century farmhouse which has been perfectly restored and carefully decorated with valuable antiques.

Hotel El Moli  Located 8 km from Peralada, el Moli is small and intimate hotel with 8 bedrooms and a restaurant leading down to the river bank. All rooms are decorated with antique Catalan furniture and have en-suite bathroom, central heating and telephone.