Portlligat, Catalonia, Spain
I’d never known much about Salvador Dali…then I watched a DVD “The Dali Dimension: Decoding the Mind of a Genius.” Wow, he was really interesting! He read and conversed about physics, science, and psychoanalysis. Knowing something about the artist made visiting the house where he lived and worked for almost 40 years a terrific excursion from Girona in our 4 days on the Costa Brava.
The house started out as just a fisherman’s hut, added to over the years by connecting other huts and building other parts in stages. The multi-level house is a labyrinth with small odd angled rooms and windows and lots of small stairs from one level to another. The guided tour only takes about 30-40 minutes, after which you can take your time on the outside to see the tower and second studio Dali had built, ending in the bizarre pool area.
Fishing boats in Portlligat on the dock outside of Dali’s house
Salvador Dali studio
Dali designed the movable framework where he mounted his huge canvases. The large windows have beautiful views of Portlligat.
Salvador Dali upper level of the studio
Casa Dali library and living room
Part of the library and stairs up to the bedroom
Mirror reflects the sunrise
Little niches, fireplaces, and original furnishings throughout the house
Dali and Gala’s Bedroom
Oval entertaining room, featuring interesting acoustics
Garden patio
Found art creation in the olive grove
The second studio in the garden
Interesting shape for the pool
Pool panorama
One of the pool lounge areas
Pool art installations
Casa Dali Pirelli lounge with Mae West inspired lips
Inspiring Portlligat
There’s a lot more to see – a peek into the bathrooms, the kitchen, the closet space plastered with photos of Dali and Gala’s life, and up and down stairs to roped off rooms. Dali fan or not, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to the house where he lived and worked for so many years.
Practicalities
- Casa Dali in Portlligat
- Book in advance on their website, you are charged a reservation fee with the ticket balance due when you arrive to pick up your tickets.
- If you miss your reserved time, you forfeit the reservation
