Located about 100km north of Barcelona, Tossa de Mar is an ancient fishermen’s village with important historical background. It has become a well-known tourist destination on Costa Brava and it’s totally worth a visit. The town is lovely and there are plenty of beautiful beaches to explore within a 13 km radius. That is to say, it’s a perfect weekend getaway! So here is my list of the best things to do and see while there.
Vila Vella and Tossa de Mar City Walls
The Castle of the Vila Vella is a symbol of Tossa de Mar. Any visit to Tossa inevitably starts with a visit to the Vila Vella (Old Town) which is the only remaining medieval walled town on the Catalan coast.
Enter the historic city centre by the arched gateway. After that, explore the narrow cobbled streets and take a walk along its fortified stone walls with seven watch-towers. The medieval fortress was built to protect the city against North African pirates between the 12thand 14thcenturies and its walls are amazingly well-preserved.
Church of Sant Vicenç and Tossa lighthouse
A winding path leads up past the ruins of the Gothic styled Church of Sant Vicenç to Tossa Lighthouse which was built in 1917. The 10m high lighthouse contains a small museum and offers excellent views of the Mediterranean coast.
Tossa de Mar Beaches and Coves
The beaches and coves of Tossa de Mar are among the most beautiful in Spain. Wonderful, clean beaches with crystal clear waters and fine golden sand, make Tossa a paradise for diving and snorkelling lovers. Some beaches are urban, with all amenities you might need within reach. However, some are quite remote and difficult to access.
Tossa offers visitors a choice of 16 sandy beaches and coves scattered with a total of 13km of coastline. There are 3 beaches in the town itself:
- Platja Gran– It is the main beach in Tossa. It is dotted with colorful boats and from there you can take amazing pictures of the castle. I recommend dawn for a picture postcard perfect view.
- Platja Mar Menuda– A smaller beach at the other end of the bay facing the castle.
- Platja d’Es Codolar– A small cove which can be reached from the Old Town.
The best coves, however, are not the ones in town. But they can be reached by car: Cala Bona (3km from Tossa), Cala Pola (4 km), and Cala Giverola (5km). Cala Giverola is equipped with showers, a beach bar, a car park and a hotel with a restaurant on the beach, and several sports facilities. Parking for a day costs approximately €10. You can also opt to walk there by taking the Camino de Ronda footpath.
This footpath was built along the Costa Brava to help the Guardia Civil control the coast. They were trying to stop the smuggling of food in the postwar period. Much of the route is now accessible and is a great way to explore the beauty of the coast.
But if you decide to walk, wear hiking or comfortable shoes, not flip-flops.
Sa Roqueta, a traditional fishing village
Just outside the Old Town, on the other side of the bay, you will find the beautiful district of Sa Roqueta. With its typical white houses adorned with flowers, this used to be the fishermen’s village. It’s now a great place to take a stroll and try some delicious local cuisine. Here you can find the Michelin starred restaurant Can Sophia, which I strongly recommend trying.
Booking.comHow to get to Tossa de Mar
Tossa is not accessible by train, but you can easily get there by bus or car. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Barcelona.
Sarfa buses leave from Estacio del Nord regularly. I strongly recommend you buy your tickets online. That’s because the queue at the tickets machine in the morning is endless and you may end up missing several buses otherwise.
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