Tossa de Mar in Costa Brava is a quiet beach destination and a perfect fit for families. It's a perfect place to enjoy beaches by the sea and to stroll around in the historic old town from the 14th century. Moreover, this beautiful Mediterranean town is sure to spoil your taste buds.
The town center and the main beach are situated at the bottom of a bay, surrounded by cliffs on both sides. The crystal clear waters and the busy underwater sea life attract divers all the way from Barcelona.
Where to stay
The center of Tossa de Mar is a typical Spanish village with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Most services are located in the small town center of Tossa de Mar, which is why it's recommended to stay there. This area is close to the main beach and the old town.
The center is flat, but the village is surrounded by hills. This should be kept in mind if you're planning to stay further away. The hotels are mainly concentrated in the center, but if, for example, you're considering an Airbnb accommodation, you should take the elevation differences into account.
Slideshow of Tossa de Mar
Things to do in Tossa de Mar
The nature at the seaside is truly beautiful, which is the main reason for many to visit Tossa de Mar. The beautiful Mediterranean offers astonishing surroundings for hikes and all kinds of outdoorsy activities. Moreover, the medieval town center offers fascinating sites to explore, providing nice contrast to the beauty of the nature.
Vila Vella
Vila Vella, which means Old Town in German, is the charming Tossa de Mar Old Town, with its narrow cobblestone streets, surrounded by a city wall. In the Tossa de Mar Old Town, you can discover the remains of the late Gothic church of Sant Vicenç from the 15th century, built on the foundations of an older Romanesque church. The 300-meter-long defense wall and the Joanás watchtower, visible from the bay, are the village’s symbols, and the views from there are enchanting.
The rectangular castle at the top of the Old Town has, however, been converted into a lighthouse, which is still in operation today.
Snorkeling and diving
Tossa de Mar is one of the best and most popular places for snorkeling and diving on the Costa Brava – the water is clear, and the marine life is vibrant and diverse. In the village, you can book diving courses as well as buy snorkeling and diving equipment on-site.
Museu Municipal de Tossa de Mar (currently closed for renovation)
The municipal museum has been situated in the Old Town since 1935. It consists of two parts - arts and archaeological sections. The arts section exhibits collections of different artists such as Marc Chagall and Olga Sacharoff. In the archaeological section, you get to see the ruins of the Ametllers Villa from 2nd century BC., which is one of the most important Roman villas found in the Tarragona Province.
Address: Plaça Pintor Roig i Soler, 1.
Nature trail
The Mediterranean on the other side and the pine forest on the other, provide a pleasurable setting for a walk. A nature trail that starts from Vila Vella follows the coast to the South. There are several viewing points, Miradors, along the way.
Visit other towns in Costa Brava
While visiting neighboring towns is easier by a rental car, local buses shouldn't be forgotten. During the wintertime, Girona is connected via Lloret de Mar or Llagostera, but in the summertime (starting from the beginning of July), there are direct buses to Girona from Tossa de Mar. Local buses to Lloret de Mar: Autocars Pujol
- Girona – located only 40 kilometers away and definitely worth a day trip. Girona is a significantly bigger city with a rich history and well-preserved architecture.
- Besalú – some 70 kilometers north of Tossa, is a truly unique medieval village. The Tossa - Besalú connection operates via Girona.
- Empuriabrava – the holiday hideout of the jet set is situated some 100 kilometers north of Tossa. Go and rent an electric boat to explore the villas and private yachts along the network of artificial canals in the middle of the town.
- Figueres – the birthplace of the master artist Salvador Dalí. Visit the Dalí museum and explore the beautiful architecture of Figueres.
Beaches of Tossa de Mar
The beach in front of the town is vast with clear water. Because of its lively underwater sea life, Tossa is one of the best and most popular snorkeling and diving destinations on Costa Brava. You don't have to go far from the shore to see bright colored Mediterranean fish.
Shopping
Tossa has a limited selection of smaller boutiques for buying souvenirs to commemorate your holiday. At least ceramics, arts and clothing are on offer. In the neighboring towns of Lloret de Mar and Blanes, you’ll find a larger selection of shops.
Prices in Tossa de Mar
Prices of restaurant services in Tossa de Mar are close to the average in the European Union. Hotel room prices are much cheaper in the early summer, before the real high season starts in July.
Below, there are some examples of average restaurant prices in Tossa de Mar.
Pizza
33 cl beer
Paella
€13-16
€3.5
€18-22
How to get to Tossa de Mar
From Barcelona airport
- During the summer months, there are daily direct bus connections from Barcelona Airport to Tossa de Mar. The buses depart from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The journey takes about 2 hours. Timetables and tickets: Moventis
From Barcelona City
- The buses to Tossa de Mar leave from the main bus station of Barcelona, Estacio del Nord. Estació del Nord is located a little over one kilometer away from Catalonia Square next to the Arc de Triomf metro station.
- Train connections from Barcelona up north to Costa Brava don’t go beyond Blanes. The railroad takes a turn to inland after that. The distance from Blanes to Tossa de Mar is 18 kilometers. Timetables for trains: Rodalies
From Girona Airport
- The bus from Girona Airport to Tossa de Mar takes about one hour, but there are only two direct connections in each direction per day. Timetables and tickets: Moventis
- Moventis Bus from Girona airport to Lloret de Mar operate more frequently in the summertime, so you can consider switching to a local bus in Lloret. The distance from Lloret de Mar to Tossa Tossa de Mar is about 10 km.
Weather in Tossa de Mar
Winter: Winters are mild with average daily highs between 5°C to 15°C. It rains frequently.
Spring: In March and April, temperatures may exceed 20°C. However, have a coat with you just in case, as mornings and evenings are somewhat chilly. Seawater is still too cold for swimming, but it rains less than in the winter. In May, temperatures exceed 20°C and the beaches begin to attract sunbathers.
Summer: June is a good month to visit Tossa de Mar. During the hottest hours of the day, temperatures climb to 30°C. July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, with temperatures as high as 35°C in the shade.
Autumn: Temperatures and sea water remain warm in early autumn. The beach season continues until mid-October, after which temperatures begin to drop to 20°C and below. There’s more rain the further the autumn advances.
Photos and video: Jussi Ryynänen
Music of the video: A Kiss For Amanda / DJ Williams – Audio Library, Youtube