Dalí Theatre-Museum

What makes it special

The foundation calls it the world's largest surrealist object, and the label is literal. Dalí rebuilt the former Figueres Municipal Theatre, gutted by fire, to his own design and opened it as his museum. Giant eggs line the top of the facade, and gilded mannequins pose along the balconies and cornices.

Inside, the old stage sits under a glass geodesic dome that Dalí compared to a fly's eye. On the wall beneath it hangs his canvas of Gala looking out to sea. Step about twenty metres back and the same picture becomes a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

The Mae West Room plays that trick in three dimensions. Built at full scale with the architect Oscar Tusquets, the furnished room turns into the face of the Hollywood star when you stand at the viewing position.

The rooms hold more than 1,500 works, the largest collection of his art anywhere, from paintings and drawings to holograms and stereoscopic pieces. Leda Atomica hangs in the Treasure Room. Statues stand on the ceilings, doorways are decorated, and no wall is left blank.

Visiting

Checking the visit map before you go in pays off, because the visit is self-guided and the rooms are numbered on it. Show your ticket at the entrance and go through the turnstile.

The Rainy Cadillac stands in the central courtyard, Room 2. Its rain is a staged performance that may need a donation, so ask a member of staff. Then cross onto the old stage, Room 3, under the dome.

From there, follow the numbered rooms through the ground floor and below-stage area, with its drawings, prints and the Fishmonger’s Hall. Leave the Dalí Jewels rooms for last. The main ticket covers them, and their entrance sits just before the turnstile exit, so it is easy to walk past.

Guided or on your own

There is no audio guide. For the stories behind the pieces, ask the museum about joining one of its own guided tours, or read the official guidebook as you go.

An outside guide must ask for authorisation in the lobby before explaining anything inside, so check that your guide has done so.

Tips

Travel light. Nothing larger than 35 by 35 by 25 cm is allowed in, and neither are rucksacks worn on the back or pushchairs, so leave big bags at your hotel. Photography without flash is fine, but tripods and selfie sticks are not.

Entry is limited by capacity and the desk at the door sells only what is left, so book online even out of season. Anyone under sixteen must enter with an adult. There is no café inside, so eat in town before or after.