Salvador Dalí left three places in the Empordà that work perfectly as one trip: the Theatre-Museum in Figueres, which he designed himself and where he is buried; Púbol castle, his gift to Gala; and his house at Portlligat, next to Cadaqués. Between them lies the landscape that obsessed him: the Empordà plain, the tramuntana wind and the rocks of Cap de Creus.
The route is designed for 4 rental nights: you collect the motorhome on day 1 in the afternoon and return it on the morning of day 5. It covers about 400 km in total, comfortably within the 300 km a day included on 3 to 6 day rentals with Segimon Rental. In low season you can do it in 3 nights by combining Púbol and Figueres; from April to June and in September and October the minimum is 4 days, and in July, August, Christmas and Easter it is 7. For more sea, combine it with our Costa Brava route.
Route plan
Route map
Tap a day or a stop to see it on the map, or press "Follow the route" to travel it stage by stage.
Approximate line between stops, not a navigation itinerary. Check road conditions and restrictions for large vehicles before you set off.
What you will see
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Pick-up and drive to the Baix Empordà
Collect the motorhome between 16:00 and 19:00 in Les Franqueses del Vallès and head north on the AP-7, without crossing Barcelona. In roughly an hour you are in the Baix Empordà, around La Bisbal, a town known for its pottery. Sleep at a campsite or authorised area nearby, so tomorrow you are only minutes from Púbol when the castle opens, before the tour groups arrive.
Day 2 · Púbol and Peratallada
Dalí bought Púbol castle in 1969 for Gala, on the condition that he would only visit if she invited him in writing. Today you walk through the rooms he decorated for her, the garden with its long-legged elephants and the crypt where Gala is buried. It opens seasonally, so check opening times and tickets before you go. The village is tiny: park where signposted at the entrance and continue on foot. In the afternoon, Peratallada, a quarter of an hour away, is a stone-built medieval village with a moat cut into the rock; leave the motorhome outside the old centre. Spend the night in the Alt Empordà, near Figueres.
Day 3 · Figueres and Castelló d'Empúries
Give the morning to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, built on the ruins of the old municipal theatre and crowned with a geodesic dome. It is one of the most visited museums in Spain, so buy your ticket in advance and go first thing. Next door you can also see the collection of jewellery Dalí designed. Central Figueres is awkward for a 6.66 m vehicle; park on the outskirts and walk in. In the afternoon, 15 minutes away, Castelló d'Empúries has a Gothic basilica that is huge for the size of the town, right by the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà wetlands, good for birdwatching at dusk.
Day 4 · Portlligat, Cadaqués and Cap de Creus
The road from Roses to Cadaqués crosses the hills with plenty of bends, so take it steadily. The Portlligat house-museum can only be visited by advance booking, in small groups at a set time; book it before you travel and arrive with time to spare. Central Cadaqués is not suitable for large vehicles: leave the motorhome in the car parks at the entrance to the village and walk to Portlligat in about 20 minutes. Then head to Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the peninsula, whose rocks appear in many of his paintings; in high season vehicle access to the lighthouse may be restricted. Sleep towards Roses or Figueres: on day 5 the AP-7 gets you back in roughly 1 h 15 to return the motorhome between 9:00 and 12:00.
Where to sleep
The Baix and Alt Empordà have a good number of campsites and a few motorhome areas, mostly near the coast, in Roses, L'Escala and around Figueres. Cadaqués has few options and they fill quickly, so it is easier to sleep on the plain and drive up for the day. In summer and on bank holidays, book ahead. Park4Night and Campercontact show facilities and recent reviews; see also our guide to where to sleep in a motorhome.
Cap de Creus and the Aiguamolls are natural parks: overnight stays are only allowed in authorised places, and wild camping is generally not permitted in Catalonia. Parking wherever any vehicle may park is legal in Spain (DGT instruction 08/V-74), provided you do not put out the awning, chairs or levelling ramps and do not empty any water.
Where to sleep with a motorhome in Catalonia
Practical tips
- Book the Portlligat house-museum as soon as you have dates: it has the fewest places and sets the pace for the rest of the trip.
- Buy tickets for Figueres and Púbol online too, and check opening times: Púbol closes for part of the year.
- Cadaqués and Portlligat have narrow streets and little space: park at the entrance to the village and walk. Do not drive the motorhome into the old centre.
- The tramuntana can blow very hard at Cap de Creus and on the Cadaqués road: in strong wind drive slowly and keep the awning closed.
- Outside summer the route is quieter and the museum queues shorter; the V66's Truma heating keeps spring and autumn nights comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Dalí triangle by motorhome?
Three full days let you see Púbol, Figueres and Portlligat without rushing, plus Cap de Creus. That means 4 rental nights. In low season you can do it in 3 nights by visiting Púbol and Figueres on the same day.
Do you need to book to visit Dalí's house in Portlligat?
Yes. The Portlligat house-museum can only be visited by advance booking, in small groups. For Figueres and Púbol it is also wise to buy tickets beforehand; check opening times and tickets on their official websites.
Can you drive a motorhome to Cadaqués?
Yes, on the road from Roses, which is a winding mountain road. What you should avoid is driving into the centre: use the car parks at the entrance and continue on foot to the village and Portlligat.
Is it a good trip for couples?
Very much so: museums, medieval villages and coves, all a short drive apart. Find more ideas in our guide to motorhome trips for couples.
