Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol

Púbol Castle dates back to the 11th century, when it formed part of the feudal defences of the Baix Empordà. After centuries of neglect, Salvador Dalí purchased the building in 1969 as a gift for Gala, his wife and muse. Dalí restored the castle while respecting its Gothic structure but adding his unmistakable surrealist touch: trompe-l'œil on the walls, custom-designed furniture and a garden populated with sculptures of elephants with insect-like legs.

Gala used the castle as her private residence from 1971 until her death in 1982. Dalí could only visit if she sent him a written invitation — a rule that evoked the rituals of medieval courtly love. After Gala's death, Dalí moved to the castle where he lived until a fire in 1984 forced him to relocate permanently to the Theatre-Museum in Figueres.

Today Púbol Castle is part of the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation and forms the third vertex of the Dalí Triangle, alongside the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres and the House-Museum in Portlligat.

The visit takes you through the rooms restored by Dalí: the piano room with trompe-l'œil decorations, the coat-of-arms hall where Gala received her guests, and the master bedroom. The collection includes haute couture dresses by Dior and Pierre Cardin that belonged to Gala, as well as works by contemporary artists whom Dalí admired.

The outdoor garden features sculptures of elephants with elongated legs — one of the most iconic images of Dalinian surrealism. A pool decorated with busts of Richard Wagner completes this dreamlike space that blends medieval rigour with 20th-century fantasy.

The crypt is perhaps the most moving space: here Gala rests, as she wished. It is a place of quiet reflection that contrasts with the exuberance of the rest of the castle and explains, better than any biography, the devotion Dalí felt for his muse.

Púbol Castle is located in the village of La Pera, 22 km from Girona and 35 km from Figueres. There is no direct public transport, so the most practical options are driving (free parking beside the castle) or booking an organised excursion that combines all three points of the Dalí Triangle.

From Girona: take the C-66 towards Palamós, exit at La Pera/Púbol (about 25 minutes). From Barcelona: AP-7 to exit 7 (Girona Nord), then C-66 (approximately 1h 30 min). From Figueres: along the C-66 heading south, roughly 30 minutes.

If you want to combine the visit with other points of the triangle, our excursions from Girona include transport, a guide and coordinated tickets so you don't have to worry about logistics.