Cap de Creus lighthouse, from Cadaqués

What it is and what you see

Cap de Creus is the eastern tip of the Iberian Peninsula and the heart of the natural park of the same name. The road out of Cadaqués ends at the lighthouse, on the headland, among metamorphic rocks, some of the oldest in Catalonia, twisted and polished by the tramuntana. From up there you see coves with no road, islets and, in clear air, the French coast to the north. There are no trees: the vegetation is low, scrub and plants adapted to wind and salt.

From Peralada it takes about 45 minutes by car, via Vilajuïga and the Cadaqués road. Allow about three hours for the full excursion: arriving, parking, going up to the headland, walking a while along the paths and coming back.

When you can drive up and when you cannot

In season, the road from Cadaqués to the lighthouse is closed to cars and motorbikes by day. Control is by video surveillance and the municipal bylaw provides for a fine. Dates and hours for 2026, according to the natural park:

• Late March to May: from 28 March to 6 April, April weekends, bridge days and May weekends, 9:30 to 19:00.
• June: weekends and from the 20th to the 30th, 9:30 to 21:30.
• July, August and until 13 September: every day, 9:30 to 21:30.
• Rest of September and October: weekends and 12 October, 9:30 to 19:00.
• November: only the 1st. December, to be determined.

Outside those days and hours you can drive up in your own car. When there is regulation, leave your car free of charge in the Corral d'en Morell car park, in the centre of Cadaqués, and go up on the lighthouse shuttle: Moventis line 33, which runs only on those days. In 2026 it ran from 9:30 to 19:00 until 31 May and from 8:00 to 23:00 from 6 June to 31 August. The ticket is bought on the Moventis website; check the price and frequency there.

On foot from Cadaqués or round the headland

The park has waymarked routes that reach the headland:

• Route 15, Punta del Cap de Creus: a 2.1 km circuit, 45 minutes and 100 m of ascent. Easy, for going round the headland once you are up there.
• Route 19, Cadaqués – Cap de Creus: a 9.2 km one-way route, 3 h 15 and 235 m of climb. Moderate difficulty.
• Route 24, from Cadaqués to Cap de Creus by the interior: an 11.2 km one-way route, about 4 hours and 340 m of climb.

The one-way routes combine well with the shuttle for the return. A large part of the headland is a strict nature reserve: do not leave the waymarked paths.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking: less heat and fewer people. In summer the sun is fierce and there is no shade; go first thing or in the late afternoon. In a strong tramuntana the wind can make it hard to stay on your feet at the viewpoints: check the forecast before you set off.

With children, with a dog and facilities

With small children, go up by car or shuttle and do only the short loop round the headland, holding hands near the cliffs. The routes from Cadaqués are for children used to walking. Take water and a hat: there are no fountains or shade on the way. The park information centre is in Vilajuïga, on passeig Catalunya (972 193 191), on the way from Peralada.