And now it’s your turn. For a day, you too can be eccentric and free on this most eastern point of Spain without needing a surreal amount of money.

Visiting Casa Salvador Dalí

Let’s get straight to the point. Cadaqués’ main attraction is the cooky man himself. After spending many of his summers here as a youth, the mustachioed master turned a series of old fishing houses into his permanent seaside residence and studio. Visit both the house’s interior and the entire property set on picturesque Portlligat—including Dalí’s phallic-shaped pool—by booking your entry here or by stopping by the ticket booth (very) early on the day of your tour.

Sip a coffee at Bar Meliton where Dalí would hang out and Marcel Duchamp would play chess. Photo: astroman

Enchantment 101 for a few euros

Once you’ve sauntered through the Dalí house, rip up your map (or turn off your mobile data) and lose yourself amongst the cloud-painted houses and quiet streets of this charming little village. Free highlights include the 16th century Santa Maria church with its stunning baroque altarpiece, the loitering cats from the nearby shelter chilling outside the church and the waterfront lined with restaurants, cafes and the emblematic Casino de la Amistat.

Then have yourself a coffee at the storied Bar Meliton (Paseo General Escofet, 30) where Dalí did his daily PR with patrons and Marcel Duchamp was known to play a game a chess. It will only set you back a couple of euros, because this old-school spot is still known for a great price to quality ratio along the waterfront.

Related: 5 beautiful excursions near Barcelona in the Costa Brava

Cap de Creus Natural Park: A free seaside oasis

What’s that you say? Feeling a little more adventurous? Surrounded by a very lunar-looking landscape, Cadaqués’ Cap de Creus Natural Park offers some of the most spectacular hiking potential this side of the peninsula. Although ear-flappingly windy at times, the park’s rocky trails will give you views of the Mediterranean and neighboring Cadaqués that will make you feel like the master of the universe.

Make sure to also ingest some unforgettable fare (and more panoramic wonderment) from the patio of the Cap de Creus Restaurant, which serves up unpretentious local food and drinks at reasonable-licious prices.

“Boarn” to run

Although it may seem like a fabulous idea to hike through Cap de Creus Park under a full moon after an evening of cocktails in Cadaqués, a close encounter with a wild boar welcoming committee might slightly change the aura of your evening. Although relatively harmless unless you mess with their young, the hefty mammals will scare the fearless wanderlust out of you and make you feel shame in front of your guests from overseas. Bring a flashlight because the natural park can be, well, pretty natural at times.

How to get there

Cadaqués can be reached by bus or a train/bus combo from Barcelona (about 100 miles away) with tickets starting around €24. You can also get there easily from Figueres or Girona. You can plan your route on the Visit Cadaqués website.

The post Spain: How to frolic in Cadaqués for (almost) free appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are so many options from small towns in the mountains to buzzing beaches, but one of our favorites is a trip to the scenic whitewashed fishing villages along the Costa Brava. Here you can get away from the bustle of the city and enjoy hidden beaches, beautiful walks and unique cultural attractions.

The white buildings of Cadaques make the perfect backdrop for a weekend escape. Photo: MorBCN

Cadaqués:

This is one of my go-to spots when visitors come to Barcelona. We hop in the car and drive up to Cadaqués, a bone-white village tucked into the bottom of Cap de Creus Natural Park. Portlligat, where artist Dalí lived for 40 years, is nearby and makes for a fascinating day-trip. Make sure to book tickets to visit his house, which is now a museum, in advance.

Calella de Palafrugell is a charming fishing village worth exploring. Photo: Regna W Bryan

Calella de Palafrugell

My husband’s relatives introduced me to Calella de Palafrugell, a popular fishing town to the south of Cadaqués. Stone houses with sapphire and green wooden shutters crowd around compact coves with pebble shorelines. From the center of town the Camí de Ronda winds over the hills, through pine forests, to spectacular hidden beaches.

Stroll along the soft sands of La Fosca in Costa Brava. Photo: Regina W Bryan

La Fosca & Palamós

Although popular Palamós can be touristy and built-up, there are still a lot of options for affordable lodging, nightlife and restaurants in town. But we recommend getting a little bit outside of the action for a more enjoyable visit. Instead of staying in Palamós, chill on the beaches of La Fosca, which are just a few kilometers north. La Fosca is a quiet village with a hostal and a handful of seasonal restaurants and bars. Best of all, the beach is a soft crescent of Mediterranean bliss.

Transportation tips

Unfortunately, reaching these spots isn’t as easy as hopping on a train. Most of the beaches along the Costa Brava have maintained their charm because there is no rail service to them. To get to these sweet spots, you need to either rent a car or go by the bus company known as Sarfa (which can be slow going). Most Costa Brava beaches are about 90 minutes by car from Barcelona proper.

The post Barcelona excursions: 5 beautiful getaways in Costa Brava appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.