Cadaqués is the Costa Brava’s most singular address: a whitewashed village at the end of a mountain road, isolated by the Cap de Creus headland, with a bohemian, Dalí-shaped heritage and the highest property prices on the coast. It is bought for character and scarcity, not for size — and it rewards understanding what you are buying.
Why it costs the most
At around €6,896/m² asking (idealista, 2026), Cadaqués is the most expensive municipality on the Costa Brava — above even the prime Begur and Palafrugell coves. The reason is geography and protection: the village sits at the end of a single winding road over the mountains, hemmed in by the Cap de Creus Natural Park, so almost no new construction is possible. A finite stock of whitewashed houses meets enduring international demand, and price follows scarcity and view rather than floor area.
Port Lligat & Dalí
Just north of the village lies Port Lligat, the small bay where Salvador Dalí built his home and studio — now a house-museum and one of the most coveted micro-locations on the entire coast. Waterfront property here is exceptionally rare and trades at the very top of the Cadaqués range. The Dalí legacy is part of what gives Cadaqués its artistic, intellectual identity and its draw for design-led buyers.
What you are buying
The typical purchase is a white village house with terraces tumbling toward the bay, or — rarely — a waterfront property. Plots are tiny, homes are often small and stepped into the hillside, and many need sensitive restoration within tight conservation rules. This suits culturally-minded buyers who value irreplaceable character and accept the trade-offs: a remote location, limited space, and a strongly seasonal village. It is the opposite of a large-garden villa or a lock-up-and-leave apartment.
The protected setting — and the licence point
The Cap de Creus protection that makes Cadaqués so special also governs what you can do: new building is heavily constrained and restoration must respect the village fabric. On rentals, Cadaqués suspended the granting of new tourist-dwelling licences and is set to reduce its stock toward the legal cap, so a new HUTG cannot be relied upon — buy a property that already holds a valid, transferable licence if letting matters, and verify it before purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Cadaqués so expensive?
Cadaqués is the most expensive municipality on the Costa Brava, averaging around €6,896/m² asking in 2026 (idealista). The reason is pure scarcity: the village sits at the end of a single mountain road, hemmed in by the Cap de Creus Natural Park, where almost no new construction is possible. Demand for a finite stock of whitewashed village houses sets the price, not floor area.
What is Port Lligat?
Port Lligat is the small bay immediately north of Cadaqués where Salvador Dalí built his home and studio, now a house-museum. It is one of the most coveted micro-locations on the whole coast and trades at the very top of the Cadaqués range; waterfront property there is exceptionally rare.
Can you build new property in Cadaqués?
Almost never. Cadaqués and its surroundings lie largely within the protected Cap de Creus Natural Park, which sharply limits new building, and the village core is tightly protected. This is precisely what preserves its character — and what keeps supply scarce and prices high. Most purchases are of existing village houses, often needing sensitive restoration.
Who does Cadaqués suit?
Cadaqués suits culturally-minded, design-led buyers who value irreplaceable character and a bohemian, artistic heritage, and who accept the trade-offs: a remote, hard-to-reach location at the end of a winding road, small homes on tiny plots, and a strongly seasonal village. It is not for buyers wanting space, a large garden or easy access.
Can I rent out a property in Cadaqués as a holiday let?
Only with an existing valid tourist licence (HUTG). Cadaqués suspended the granting of new tourist-dwelling licences and is modelling a large reduction in its stock toward the legal cap, so a new licence cannot be relied upon. If letting matters, buy a property that already holds a transferable HUTG, and verify its status with the Ajuntament de Cadaqués and a local lawyer.