The Dali Triangle in Catalonia: A Journey into the Dimension of Genius

Imagine a route where the map of the land overlaps with the map of the mind. Where mountains and coastlines are not just scenery, but the stage set for the grand performance of a single actor. Welcome to the «Dali Triangle» — a journey through the three vertices that shaped, inspired, and forever preserved the spirit of the greatest surrealist.
This is not a standard museum tour with obligatory audio guides and a ban on photography. It is a true immersion into a different way of perceiving the world, where the rational, agrarian Catalonia reveals its surreal, bottomless underside. Figueres, Port Lligat, and Púbol — three points that encircled Dali's life, turning his biography into a work of art, and his art into a living space.

Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí (1904–1989) was a Spanish painter, one of the most famous representatives of Surrealism, as well as a graphic artist, sculptor, director, and writer. An iconic figure of the 20th century, renowned not only for his works but also for his eccentric behavior and unique public persona.

Vertex 1. Figueres: The Birth of a Myth

Our journey begins where it all started — in Figueres. Not in the modest house on Monturiol Street, but in its grand continuation — the Dalí Theatre-Museum. Salvador Dalí did not just create an exhibition here; he built a monument to himself during his lifetime, a labyrinth of his own «I.» The building, crowned with giant eggs and a glass geodesic dome, signals from afar: the rules of reality are suspended here. The main and most extensive collection, created by the artist himself on the site of a former theater. The museum is a total work of art.

Key Works of the Dalí Theatre-Museum

«Rainy Taxi» / «Cadillac of Rain» — installation at the entrance: a black Cadillac with a driver’s figure inside under pouring rain and the sculpture «Queen Esther» on the hood.
The «Palace of the Wind» hall with the giant ceiling painting «Gala Looking at the Mediterranean Sea Which at Twenty Meters Becomes the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln» (optical illusion).
«The Specter of Sex Appeal» — one of the central paintings in the collection.
Sculptural and jewelry works (e.g., «Sponges with Corals,» «Memories of Sodom»).
Crypt with Dalí’s own body in a sarcophagus under the dome.

Tips for Visiting the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres

Tickets: BUY ONLINE IN ADVANCE — this is the main advice. Queues at the ticket office are very long, especially in summer. On the official website, select your date and exact entry time.
Planning: Allocate 2-3 hours for the museum visit.
Navigation: If traveling by car, enter «Teatre-Museu Dalí» or «Parking Dalí» as your destination in the navigator to arrive right at the spot.
How to get from Barcelona: The most popular, cheap, and fast way is by train. Departure station in Barcelona: Barcelona Sants. nearby, within walking distance, is the Cosmo Aparthotel Sants. Some trains also stop at Passeig de Gràcia, near Cosmo Apartments Passeig de Gràcia and Cosmo top apartments on Rambla Catalunya.
How to get from Playa de Aro (Costa Brava): The most comfortable option: by taxi. The most convenient and cost-effective option is as part of an organized tour group. The reception at Cosmo Aparthotel Playa de Aro and Cosmopolita Hotel Boutique & SPA can advise you on the best option and arrange a door-to-door transfer if needed.

Have a great trip to the heart of Surrealism!

Vertex 2. Port Lligat: The Workshop of a Lone Wolf

Descending from the hills to the azure shore of the Costa Brava, you’ll reach the very heart of the Dalinian universe — the Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Port Lligat. This is not a palace but a labyrinth of fishermen’s huts that Dalí and Gala fused and whimsically expanded over decades. Here, the genius was himself — working, creating, hosting extravagant parties.

A walk through the house is a tour of his consciousness. Narrow corridors leading nowhere; low ceilings suddenly soaring upward; famous oval windows framing the landscape like a living painting. Every object, from the stuffed bear with lamps to the microwave oven (a rare technical novelty at the time), is part of his personal mythology. In Port Lligat, you see not the artist on a pedestal, but the craftsman in his studio, drawing inspiration from the sound of waves, the shape of olive trees, and the pure light of the Catalan coast.

Key Works of the Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Port Lligat

«The Mae West Room» (physical realization of the famous surrealist project).
«Dead Swan Reflecting Elephants» — stained glass.
Bear taxidermy, eggs on the facade, phallus-shaped pool — objects that became part of the Dalí myth.
Numerous personal works, sketches, photographs, and unusual household items.

Tips for Visiting the Salvador Dalí House-Museum in Port Lligat

Ticket Booking: Entry to the house-museum is strictly by prior online booking on the official website. The number of daily visitors is very limited. Entry without a reservation is impossible.
Seasonality: Transport schedules, especially to Cadaqués, are highly seasonal (more routes in summer, fewer in winter).
How to get from Barcelona: The most convenient and recommended way is by car, as the final stretch is a very winding mountain road with stunning views. If you’ve chosen accommodation with Cosmopolita Group, Barcelona, consult the reception about favorable car rental conditions. When booking a stay of 7 nights or more in any Cosmo apartment or room, you will receive a 3-day (or more) Fiat 500 rental as a gift. Service provided upon request.
How to get from Playa de Aro: The most comfortable option: by taxi. The most convenient and cost-effective option is by car. The reception at Cosmo Aparhotel Playa de Aro and Cosmopolita Hotel Boutique & SPA can advise you on the best option and arrange a door-to-door transfer if needed. When booking a stay of 7 nights or more in any Cosmo apartment or room, you will receive a 3-day (or more) Fiat 500 rental as a gift. Service provided upon request.

Have a nice trip to the Genius workshop!

Vertex 3. Púbol: The Castle for the Queen

The third vertex of the triangle is Gala’s Castle in Púbol. This was Dalí’s gift to his muse, manager, and sole model: a castle he could only visit upon her written invitation. If Port Lligat was Dalí’s territory, Púbol was Gala’s undisputed kingdom. A place Dalí gave to Gala and where she is buried. The atmosphere here is different: Gothic coolness, mystery, elegiac sadness. Púbol is the key to understanding the main woman in the artist’s life, his alter ego and driving force. It’s a story of worship, a pact, and eternal separation.

Key Works of Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol

Paintings created specifically for Gala: «Atomic Leda» (preparatory sketch for the famous painting), «Portrait of Gala from Behind.»
Sculptures in the garden: «Elephants,» «Gnomons.»
Interiors reflecting Dalí’s fascination with the Middle Ages and Pre-Raphaelite style.

Tips for Visiting Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol

Booking is MANDATORY: Entry to Gala Dalí Castle (Castell de Púbol) is strictly by timed slots with a limited number of people. Buy tickets online in advance on the official website (Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation). Without a booking in high season, you risk not getting in.
Schedule: Check opening hours on the website. The castle is usually closed on Mondays (except August) and during winter (approximately early January to mid-March).
Combined Ticket: If you also plan to visit the Theatre-Museum in Figueres and the House in Port Lligat, it’s more economical to buy a single «Dalí Triangle» ticket.
Visit Duration: Allocate 1-1.5 hours for the castle and garden.
How to get from Barcelona: The most convenient and recommended way is by car, as there is no direct transport from Barcelona. You first need to get to Girona or Figueres by train, and from there take a taxi or local bus (infrequent) to Púbol village. If you’ve chosen accommodation with Cosmopolita Group, Barcelona, consult the reception about car rental. When booking a stay of 7 nights or more in any Cosmo apartment or room, you will receive a 3-day (or more) Fiat 500 rental as a gift. Service provided upon request.
How to get from Playa de Aro: The most comfortable option: by taxi. The most convenient and cost-effective option is by car (travel time ~30-40 minutes). There is a small free parking lot by the castle. The reception at Cosmo Aparhotel Playa de Aro and Cosmopolita Hotel Boutique & SPA can advise you and arrange transfers. When booking a stay of 7 nights or more in any Cosmo apartment or room, you will receive a 3-day (or more) Fiat 500 rental as a gift. Service provided upon request.

Have a nice trip to the Queen's castle!

Why Will This Journey Change You?

By traveling the triangle, you will assemble the puzzle. You will see how a personal myth, born in this land — among rocks, olive groves, and salty wind — managed to conquer the whole world. How a provincial boy, fascinated by the technique of the Old Masters and the latest avant-garde movements, synthesized them into his own, instantly recognizable universe.

The Dali Triangle in Catalonia is a journey not only in space but also into the dimension of genius. Returning from it, you will long look back at the familiar world, wondering: what if our reality is just as flexible, multifaceted, and full of hidden meanings as the one imagined and lived by the great Salvador Dalí? Set off. The key to the door of his perception awaits you in Catalonia!