Cadaqués' graveyard

Cadaqués' graveyard (Cementiri de Cadaqués) sits on a rocky outcrop right beside the Sant Baldiri hermitage, in a setting that has drawn as many admirers of funerary sculpture as walkers chasing a view of the Mediterranean. The cemetery has been in use since 1893, and over the following century it grew alongside the town, becoming one of the recognizable landmarks of Cadaqués alongside the Santa Maria church and Salvador Dalí's house in nearby Portlligat.

What makes this cemetery stand out?

What separates this graveyard from the typical village cemeteries of the Costa Brava is the density of sculptural detail packed into a small space. Wind-worn white tombs catch the summer light almost blindingly against the blue of the water below. Among the gravestones stands a work by the Catalan sculptor Josep Llimona, one of the leading names of Catalan modernism — his presence in such a modest cemetery says something about how prosperous and art-connected the local fishing and merchant community was around the turn of the twentieth century.

Is Salvador Dalí buried here?

This is one of the most common questions visitors bring to Cadaqués, and the answer is no. Although the artist spent decades of his life and career in nearby Portlligat, from 1930 to 1982, his remains rest in a crypt at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, not in the local graveyard. Even so, the association with Dalí still pulls curious visitors up the hill — the cemetery is often folded into a self-guided walk following the artist's traces around the area, even without a direct burial connection.

Getting there and what to look for

The entrance to the graveyard is reached from beside the Santa Maria church; walking around the building brings you onto the path leading toward the sea. The elevated position, with views stretching across the bay, means most visitors treat the walk up here as a natural extension of exploring the old town rather than a separate stop on an itinerary. It's worth paying attention to the range of headstone styles: modest plain crosses stand next to elaborately decorated family tombs built by those who prospered from nineteenth-century maritime trade and the cork industry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, it is a public graveyard accessible during standard opening hours, much like most municipal cemeteries in Catalonia.

How old is Cadaqués' graveyard? It was established in 1893, making it well over a century old.

What's the main artistic draw besides the sea view? The modernist funerary sculpture is the standout feature, including the piece by Josep Llimona, alongside the architecture of the white tombs set against the coastline.

Is it worth combining with a visit to the Sant Baldiri hermitage? Yes, the two sites sit right next to each other and together form a coherent walking route that traces both the religious and funerary history of Cadaqués.