Tossa de Mar: Discover Costa Brava’s Best Kept Secret

Tossa de Mar Old Town (Vila Vella)

The magnificence of the Tossa de Mar Old Town, also known as Vila Vella, will take your breath away when you step foot in this medieval walled town.

The Old Town is the only example of a walled medieval town still standing on the Catalan coast. And it is stunning!

With its cobblestone roads and narrow streets, you’ll feel as if you’ve walked back in time.

You will quickly come to realize, however, that Tossa de Mar is so much more than a medieval town!

In addition to exploring the medieval castle walls, you can swim or snorkel at your choice of beach, explore the local shops, or take a hike on one of the many walking trails.

And, of course, you can stop to enjoy a delicious drink of Cava Sangria and some tapas while enjoying stunning views of this beautiful coastal town in Northern Spain.

10 Things Worth Visiting In Tossa de Mar

There are lots of fun things to do in Tossa de Mar including beaches, shopping, restaurants and cafes, hiking, tours, scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming to name just a few.

So how do you spend a day in Tossa de Mar? Here is my recommended list of things to do during your visit.

1. Spend Time at the Tossa de Mar Beach

There are many beaches that you can explore in Tossa. Inside the city walls, the main beach is Platja Gran. From here, you can see the walled Vila Vella, which is one of the Costa Brava’s most photographed landscapes.

National Geographic magazine even rated Platja Gran one of the top 25 beaches in the world in 2013.

Within the Tossa de Mar Old Town, there are also smaller coves, such as Platja d’Es Codolar. This beach was my personal favourite. It was an intimate beach with stunning views. It also had chair rentals and a small snack bar.

Overall, the beaches in Tossa are much less busy and crowded than Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona and they are a perfect way to spend the day swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing with a book.

2. Explore Tossa de Mar’s Old Town and the Historic Castle Walls

Vella Villa (Tossa de Mar’s Old Town) is the medieval part of the city. With narrow streets, stunning views of the sea, and the remains of a medieval castle, the old town is full of history and beauty.

You can walk around the castle walls, visit the small historic streets, and explore some of the local artisan shops. Here you will find some stunning photo spots and can enjoy spectacular views of both the sunset and sunrise.

3. Hike the Tossa de Mar Walking Trails for Stunning Views

There are a number of walking trails that pass through Tossa de Mar. These walking trails (part of the Cami de Ronda) take you along a coastal path and include beautiful views of the Tossa de Mar, the castle, and the sea.

You can take a short walk up the side of the Catalan Mountains or put on your hiking boots and take a longer hike along the top of the cliffs with views of the coastline. With several observation desks scattered along the paths, the views will leave you breathless.

One of the mistakes I made on my trip was not being prepared for a coastal walk. I came across the path accidentally, and did not realize how far I could walk along the trails. I hadn’t brought extra water or worn my comfortable shoes. Next time I’ll come better prepared.

4. Do Some Local Shopping

The small town of Tossa is filled with quaint shops, lots of restaurants, gelato, souvenirs, and more! Many of the shops have pieces from local artisans, and they are a perfect place to find a unique souvenir or gift from your time in Spain.

Enjoy a stroll through the shops after a relaxing day at the beach and before a delicious seaside meal.

5. Enjoy a Cava Sangria with a View of the Beach and Old Town

Of course, food and drink are also an important part of your stay in Tossa! I recommend stopping for some tapas at the Vila Vella Terraza Bar located on the hill within the castle walls. It has a spectacular view of the beach below and is a perfect place to order a Cava Sangria and take in the views.

6. Take a Cruise on the Costa Brava

There are several short boat tours available from the main beach, Platja Gran in Tossa, from companies such as Dofi Jet Boats.

You can take a tour on a glass-bottom boat and visit a number of other towns on the Costa Brava. Taking a cruise allows you to see the coastline and different beaches along the Costa Brava.

7. Take in the Sunrise and Sunset from the Lighthouse

If you love sunsets and the sunrise as much as I do, then you will love the views from the lighthouse. You can watch both the sunrise and the sunset over the sea from different sides of the hilltop. This is likely one of the best Costa Brava sunrise spots!

The lighthouse is located at the top of the streets of the old town, and is worth strolling through, no matter what time of day you choose to visit!

8. Have a Delicious Meal with a Stunning View

There are so many excellent Tossa de Mar restaurants. Whether you want seafood, tapas, or a heaping cup of gelato, there are many delicious places to eat with stunning views.

Whether you eat at a restaurant nestled in the castle walls of the old town, or sit on the beachfront overlooking the sea, you will not be disappointed with the ambiance and the food! As Tossa is a fishing village, you can be sure to enjoy some delicious seafood options.

9. Take the Little Train Tour and Visit Ava Gardner

If your feet are getting sore from walking, you have mobility issues, or you want more history about the area, consider taking the Little Train Tour. This small train takes visitors on different mini-tours around Tossa, the most popular being the tour of the Vella Villa (old town).

The tour starts on the main beach and takes you to the Tossa lighthouse, driving along the castle walls. You can get off the train at the top of the castle walls, have a walk around or enjoy a drink, and then hop back on the train for a return trip to the beach.

As you explore, watch out for the statue of Ava Gardner. The statue is a tribute to the 1950 Hollywood movie starring Ava Gardner, who filmed the movie “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman” in Tossa, making it a desirable holiday destination.

10. Go Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

Tossa de Mar is an excellent place to go snorkelling or scuba diving. You can bring your own snorkel and easily have a swim from any of the beaches in Tossa. Scuba diving is also popular in Tossa. With the clear water, there are many excellent dive sites close by.

For those interested in learning to Scuba Dive in Tossa, you can take beginning diving lessons from the beach.

☞ See Also: 10 Best Costa Brava Tours from Barcelona

How to Get from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar

The day trip from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar is certainly possible as it is located about 80 kilometres from the city and it takes less than an hour and a half to get there.

If you have a car, it’s an easy drive. Even without a car, Tossa is easy to get to on the public bus. Another travel option is as part of a guided tour.

Moventis Sarbus public buses run hourly from Barcelona, and the cost of a return bus ticket is less than €15. From Barcelona, you will head to the Estació del Nord to catch the bus. My journey made several stops along the way to Tossa. Tossa de Mar was the last bus stop.

When I took the bus in September it was full, so I would recommend purchasing your ticket ahead of time. Once in Tossa, it’s a very short walk to the Old Town or the beach.

There is no direct train route to Tossa de Mar. You can take the train to Blanes and then transfer to a bus. But in my experience, the bus was an excellent, direct option for travel from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar.

Another option is to travel from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar as part of an organized day trip. There are lots of excellent options for Costa Brava day tours, especially if you are looking to visit different locations in one day and do not want to worry about finding your own transportation.

How Long Should You Stay in Tossa de Mar?

A day trip from Barcelona is certainly possible, but you may also want to consider spending a night or two in this beautiful, relaxing, historical town on the coast of the Costa Brava.

During my visit, I chose to stay one night at the Casa Granados Boutique Hotel. This was a great decision. I was also able to enjoy Tossa once all the day visitors went home and I could explore at my own pace.

I did, however, meet some visitors who spend a whole week in Tossa every year. They love visiting and relaxing at this beach town for an extended stay. It is easy to rent a car and visit other parts of the Costa Brava such as Girona, Pals, Blanes, or Calella de Palafrugell.

If you use Tossa as your main base, there are lots of great places to visit and explore on the Costa Brava and around Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Tossa De Mar

Recommended Hotel: Boutique Hotel Casa Granados

⭐️ RATING: 9.4 | ✓ Check Rates and Availability | Address: Carrer de la Roqueta, 10, 12, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain

There are many beautiful Tossa de Mar hotels, but if you choose to stay in Tossa, I highly recommend staying at the stunning boutique hotel, Boutique Hotel Casa Granados in the heart of the old town.

This historic hotel has just seven rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and beautiful gardens.

I stayed in a lovely room and enjoyed the most delicious breakfast in the gorgeous restaurant that makes you feel like you are dining in a garden.

There is also a pool, a hot tub, and lots of lounge seating on the rooftop overlooking the Tossa de Mar castle.

The hotel is steps from the old town and about a 5-minute walk from the main beach. The staff were wonderful, and it was the perfect place to rest at the end of a long day of exploring. It was the perfect choice and I highly recommend this hotel in Tossa de Mar.

What Other Towns are Close to Tossa de Mar?

In addition to the charming city of Tossa, there are several other beautiful and historic towns that are worth exploring during your visit to the region.

My personal favourite, Girona, is located about 40 kilometres from Tossa. I really enjoyed spending a day in Girona. This medieval city has lots of historical charm, beautiful architecture, and many things to do in a day.

Besalú is another enchanting medieval town that is known for its impressive bridge crossing the Fluvià river. Figueres is famous for hosting the Dalí Theatre-Museum, which houses the largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s artwork.

Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell are two beautiful coastal towns close to Tossa, where visitors can enjoy the beaches and indulge in fresh seafood. All of these nearby towns are worth visiting if you have some extra time in the area.

Final Thoughts: Is Tossa De Mar Worth Visiting?

Tossa de Mar is an absolute must and well worth visiting if you want to spend some time on the Costa Brava in Spain. It’s the perfect combination of history, beaches, food, drink, and local shopping.

No vehicle is required to get to Tossa or around Tossa. I felt very safe visiting as a solo traveller and taking a day trip from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar is an excellent way to add some diversity to your visit to Barcelona, Spain.

Before You Leave: Explore the Costa Brava

Now that you’ve read this post and have decided to visit Tossa de Mar, you will want to read my Casa Granados Boutique Hotel review. This hotel was the perfect place to stay during my visit, and this post shares all the details.

During your trip, you will also want to consider visiting other towns in the Costa Brava. Read my post about the fascinating medieval town of Girona, located just 30 minutes from Tossa de Mar.

For those looking for another beach day trip option from Barcelona, you may want to consider a day trip to Sitges located less than an hour by train from the city.

And finally, if you are looking for a guided tour of the Costa Brava, my post highlighting my top recommended Costa Brava tours from Barcelona is a must read!