Figueres; the city of Dalí

Figueres, the capital of the Alt Empordà

It is also the birthplace of Salvador Dalí (1904), one of the world's most famous surrealist artists. In Figueres, you will literally walk in Dalí's footsteps. The hotspot of the city is his museum, here most of his works are on display and it is visited by as many as 1.5 million people annually. But since October 2023, his childhood home can also be visited. Read more about Casa Natal Salvador Dalí here

Everywhere in town you are reminded that he lived here for a long time. Opposite his childhood home, for example; there sits the exclusive bakery Maia and they still sell the bread he fetched every day, which he later had artfully placed in the same form on the exterior of the museum. Or on the Rambla where a mirror column displays his face on the tiles. The little church where Salvador was baptized sits next to the Dalí museum and in the toy museum (on the Rambla) Salvador's favorite teddy bear "Don Osito Marquina" is on display.

The older residents knew the eccentric well, his then personal assistant is today the owner of a souvenir shop next to the museum. She proudly tells her customers all the stories.

Lively center

But the city has much more to offer! The small but lively center has a typical Spanish Rambla with cozy terraces, breakfast shops, fresh bakeries and nice stores. The squares in the old quarter are atmospheric with arcades and in the alleys around them there are many good (small) restaurants, including a few good tapas bars such as Sidreria Txot's.

After strolling past museums and stores, you can unwind in the beautiful city park, Parc del Bosque. (Address: Ronda del Rector Arolas)

To the market in Figueres

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the fruit and vegetable market is held in Figueres. (08:00-14:00) It is an extensive market where, for example, fresh flowers and plants are also sold. You can easily park your car in the covered parking garage under the market. (Saba-Plaça Catalunya, s/n, 17600, Figueres)

The clothing market is once a week on Thursdays (08:00-14:00).
Address: Plaça del Sol and Plaça del Gra & Riera Galligants- Figueres.

Every 3rd Saturday of the month the Rambla of Figueres hosts an antiques market. In our blog about Spanish Markets you will find all the info about markets in other places.

Castell de Sant Ferran

In the seventeenth century, Figueres suffered greatly from wars with the French, and its strategic location near the French border prompted the construction of the military fort. Construction of the fort began in 1753 and lasted thirteen years. The fort was built of the latest fortification techniques at the time and upon completion it was the second largest fort in Europe. It is a castle with a star-shaped building plan and the 3-meter-thick walls surrounding the defensive structure have a total length of 5 km. Inside the walls were once encamped 12,000 troops and until the end of the Spanish Civil War.

Castell de Sant Ferran is open to the public and it is definitely worth a visit! Because of the enormous size of the fort, there are different types of tours available. You can visit the fort on your own with an audio guide (approx. 1.5 hours), but with a guide you will drive through the complex by Jeep, and visit the underground rooms and the huge water basins (by boat). Reservations can be made by phone at (+34) 972 50 60 94

Figueres tourist office

A new tourist office recently opened in Figueres, it sits right next to the Dalí Museum. Here you will find all current tourist information about the city.

Snack & Drink

In Figueres there are numerous cafes and good restaurants, you can go there all day long. We love having breakfast on the Plaça del Ayuntamiento, you can walk straight into town from here. Here are a few restaurant tips in Figueres:

El Dynàmic Cerveseria
This was Salvador Dalí's regular business; it sits on the street where he was born. Nowadays it is a hip tapas bar where you can eat delicious food. They have a small outdoor terrace where you can also order a menu del dia at noon (13:00-15:00). (Menu del dia is a three-course menu for a fixed price).

La Tagliatella Figueres
This Italian restaurant (franchise chain) is very popular. The pizzas are finger-licking good, but you can also order fresh pastas and salads. Most people eat here at least twice during the vacations! La Tagliatella is open all day and is perfect to combine with a visit to the Dalí museum. (sits right next to it)

La Taverna del Barri Vell
In a narrow alley sits this small but good restaurant. Ideal for a 3-course menu del dia, for only 18 euros p.p. you sit here feasting. (Between 12:30 and 15:30) Outside is a cozy terrace, and they serve a nice house wine! Address: Carrer dels Tints, 7, 17600 Figueres Read more in our Blog about La Taverna