Mattis Oppermann is co-founder of premium luggage brand Carl Friedrik, which opened its flagship store in London recently to considerable acclaim. He established the ecommerce brand in 2012 alongside his brother Niklas, merging Bauhaus and Scandinavian design sensibilities, after spotting a gap in the market for competitively priced but high-quality travel luggage. Based in Barcelona, Mattis opens his little black book of the Costa Brava to reveal his go-to spots in Cadaqués.
Food & drink
Visitors to the Catalan seaside town of Cadaqués are spoilt for choice when it comes to fresh seafood. One of my favourites is Talla, which boasts an alfresco dining area overlooking the Cadaqués bay. The innovative, tapas-oriented menu looks beyond the typical dishes served elsewhere in the region. Sister restaurant, Battalla Taverna, is located next door and offers simpler fare, championing fresh and locally sourced ingredients. It’s a sharing menu, so a great spot to visit with friends. I recommend the grilled marrowbone with prawn tartare. We often head to Brown Sugar, a low-key cocktail bar concealed under a tree and tucked away from the tourist path, for an early evening aperitif. Owner Rudy is extremely welcoming. The rustic interior is the ideal place to enjoy a refreshing mojito.
Activities
Tucked away in the northeast end of the peninsula is Cap de Creus, a rugged stretch of coastline with a national park that even covers part of the ocean. From Cadaqués you can hike across this well-worn path, stopping to swim in the many hidden coves along the way. You’ll see rocky outcrops, crystalline waters and abandoned vines. Within the marine-terrestrial natural park of Cape de Creus is Massa d’Or island. Thanks to the area being protected, it’s a diver’s haven. Expect to see a variety of fish, from tuna, sea bream and dentex, through to larger specimens like barracudas and giant groupers. Another way to enjoy the sea is to rent a traditional llaüt boat (native to the Balearic Islands) and drift along the coast, anchoring at a suitable swimming and lunch spot.
For an activity on terra firma, try the Salvador Dalí House in Portlligat. The one-time summer residence of the Surrealist artist is roughly a 15-minute drive from Cadaqués, dotted with original art and ceramics, including a polar bear at the entrance and an oversized egg sculpture on the roof. Be sure to check opening times and book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Mattis Oppermann was in conversation with Lee Osborne, creative director of Secret Trips
