Wondering how to plan a day trip to the Dali Museum from Barcelona? This guide covers how to get to the Dali Museum and what you need to know to plan your visit!
Barcelona is a beautiful city filled with architecture, history and art — which can be explored within the city or on nearby day trips. If you’re an art enthusiast and interested in checking out some of Salvador Dali’s famous works, then a visit to the Dali Museum in Figueres is a must.
Here’s how to plan a day trip to the Dali Museum from Barcelona!
About Salvador Dali
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was a renowned Spanish surrealist artist who is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was born in Figueres, Spain, and spent much of his childhood in the seaside town of Cadaqués, where his parents owned a summer home.
Throughout his career, Dali created a vast body of work, including paintings, sculptures, and films. His paintings are characterized by their highly detailed, dreamlike imagery and use of vibrant colors.
Some of his most famous works include “The Persistence of Memory,” which features the famous melting clocks that he became known for, and “The Elephants,” which portrays elephants with impossibly long, spindly legs.
Dali was also known for his eccentric personality and flamboyant public appearances. He often wore eclectic clothing and loved to style his distinctive mustache in an upward-pointing curl.
Dali died in Figueres in 1989 at the age of 84. Today, his works can be seen in museums and galleries around the world, and he remains an influential figure in the art world.
How to Get to the Dali Museum
The Dali Museum is located in the town of Figueres, which is about 90 miles northeast of Barcelona. And if you’re wondering how to take a day trip to the Dali Museum from Barcelona, there are several ways you can get there.
By Train: You can take the train from Barcelona-Sants to Figueres Vilafant, and the trains run about every 4 hours. Train tickets cost between €13 and €40 and the journey takes about 55 min. And, from the Figueres Vilafant train station, the walk to the Dali Museum is just 5 minutes!
By Car: Driving to the Dali Museum is pretty straightforward and most of the journey takes you along the highway AP-7. The total drive time is just 1.5 hours! We rented our car at the Barcelona Airport and found the drive to be very easy.
Planning Your Visit to the Dali Museum
To make your visit to the museum as smooth as possible, there are a couple of things you can do in advance.
Plan Your Itinerary: The Dali Museum is open daily (except for Mondays) from 9:30am to 6:00pm. You should plan to spend at least 2-3 hours exploring the museum.
Purchase tickets: Tickets can be purchased online via the museum’s website and cost €17 for adults. Note that you’ll need to select a date and time slot (they are every 15 minutes!). And, it’s best to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket office!
Parking: There is a paid parking lot next to the museum that’s very convenient. It was quite busy when we went but we eventually found a spot — just make sure to leave some time for parking before your ticket time slot!
About the Dali Museum
The Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Salvador Dali and was actually designed by Dali himself.
The museum is housed in the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres, which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Dali worked on the renovation and design of the building for over a decade, transforming it into a surreal and fantastical space that reflects his artistic vision and unique style.
The Dali Theatre Museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Dali’s work, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The exhibits are arranged thematically, showcasing Dali’s evolution as an artist and his many creative obsessions, such as his fascination with the human psyche and his interest in science and technology.
Some of the most notable works on display at the museum include “The Mae West Room,” a surreal installation that recreates the famous actress’s face as a room; “The Persistence of Memory,” featuring his iconic melting clocks and “The Hallucinogenic Toreador,” a large-scale painting that features many of Dali’s signature motifs.
And, did you know that Figures is also Dali’s final resting place? Dali is buried in a crypt inside of the museum!
I also enjoyed visiting the “Dali Jewels” exhibit at the museum which showcases precious gems and jewelry that he designed throughout his life. They were incredibly stunning!
Explore Figueres
Aside from the museum, the charming town of Figueres is worth exploring as well.
Figueres has a beautiful old town center with narrow streets and colorful buildings. You can take a stroll through the town, visit the town hall, and check out the many cafes and restaurants.
We stopped at Bon Profit Figueres for a bite — just a few minutes from the museum — and enjoyed dining al fresco on their patio! Another option would be to grab lunch at the Hotel Duran restaurant which was Dali’s favorite places to dine.
Or are you a total foodie and love fine dining experiences? Only 30 minutes away is El Celler de Can Roca, which has often been voted one of the top restaurants in the world and boasts three Michelin stars!
Where to Stay in Figueres
Looking for the best hotels in Figueres? Here are my top picks!
Hotel Pirineos: Located just a short walk from the museum, Hotel Pirineos is located in the center of Figueres and features comfortable rooms.
The Museum Apartments: This apartment-style lodging it literally next to the Dali Museum so you can’t really get much closer! Plus, there’s an outdoor terrace looking over the museum and city.
Ibis Styles Figueres Ronda: This modern style hotel is a great place for an overnight since it features parking, a short walk into town, and a delicious breakfast.
Overall, the Dali Theatre-Museum is a must-visit destination for art lovers or anyone interested in the life and work of Salvador Dali. Plus, a day trip to the Dali museum is definitely doable from Barcelona and worth the effort!
My wife and I did this in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would also recommend going to visit Dali’s summer house in Cades as well.
I didn’t get a chance to visit Dali’s House Museum while I was there but it’s on my list for next time. It looks very cool!