FIGUERES , a provincial town with a population of some thirty thousand, would pass almost unnoticed were it not for the Museu Dali , installed by Salvador Dalí in a building as surreal as the exhibits within. It's a popular day-trip from Barcelona, though you should make a reasonably early start since even the fastest buses take ninety minutes to reach the town. Figueres itself tends to be overshadowed by the museum, which is the only reason most people come here. But stay longer - perhaps even overnight - and you'll find a pleasing town with a lively central rambla and plenty of cheap food and accommodation

Every Thursday there is a large open air market in the main square at Figueres. Here you will find a good selection of local produce and crafts of all types. There is also an interesting an wide variety of spices on offer.

Magre street and Placa de la Llana is located in one of the oldest parts of the city which was the former Jewish quarter. The Jews arrived in Figueres in the second half of the 13th century following a call for them to do so from Crown Prince Peter.

Buses ( 3-8 daily ) and trains ( 21 daily ) take an hour and a half to reach Figueres from Barcelona. Arriving at the train station, you reach the centre of town by simply following the "Museu Dali" signs. The bus station is just a couple of minutes' walk up on the left, at the top of Plaça Estació above the train station. There are small tourist information booths just outside the bus station (July to mid-Sept Mon-Sat 9am-1.30pm & 4.30-7pm) and on Plaça de Dalí ( July to mid-Sept Mon-Sat 9am-2.30pm & 4.30-7pm ). The full-blown Turisme is on Plaça del Sol, in front of the post office building (summer Mon-Sat 8.30/9am-9pm, Sun 9am-3pm; winter Mon-Sat 8.30/9am-8pm; tel 972 503 155 ).

A gaggle of tourist restaurants is crowded into the narrow streets around the Dalí museum, particularly along c/Jonquera. Here you'll be able to find a decent menú del dia , while the cafés on the Rambla are good for snacks and sandwiches. For a food treat, head for the Hotel Duran , at Calle Lausaca 5, at the top of the Rambla, where they serve generous regional dishes with a modern touch; it's expensive but has an excellent reputation




Videos of Figueres