Just one hundred kilometres from Barcelona and forty from Girona we can find one of the most beautiful towns on the emblematic Costa Brava. We are talking about Tossa de Mar, a town that is much more than a sun and beach holiday destination due to its many tourist attractions, among which its famous wall, old town, and a delicious gastronomy stand out.

Likewise, the natural environment that surrounds the town will allow you to do hiking routes through its iconic Camins de Ronda that end in coves with crystalline waters, and the practice of all kinds of water activities such as kayaking, boat trips, diving or snorkelling. In the following lines, we explain everything you can see and do in Tossa de Mar on a weekend, with family, friends, or your partner.

Go for a walk through the walled area of ​​Vila Vella and see the Castle

La Vila Vella is a medieval walled enclosure, from the 13th century, unique in the Costa Brava, and a hallmark of the town. It has been declared a national historical-artistic monument since 1931 and is a great tourist attraction. Going up its steep narrow streets with cobblestone pavement and stone houses full of plants and flowers, will take you back several centuries and we are sure it will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your visit.

Four towers and three cylindrical towers remain standing from the walled enclosure. The best known are the Torre d’en Joanàs, which is the emblem of the city; the Torre de las Hores, located in the parade ground and so named because there was a clock here, and the Torre d’es Codolar, which overlooks Es Codolar beach. The castle was built in the 12th century to protect the town and its fishermen from pirate attacks by sea; its location in the upper area of ​​a hill, at the southern end of Playa Grande, has made it the symbol of the town and its most photogenic place.

Visit the Old Church of San Vicenç

Among its most essential sites is the old Church of Sant Vicenç. It was built in the 15th century in Gothic style and only a part of the roof and the statue of Ava Gardner are preserved. The actress spent a few days in the town filming the movie “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman”, which gave it much of her well-deserved international fame. It is also a good place to buy a souvenir in a craft store and try some of the best restaurants in Tossa de Mar.

Enjoy its beaches and coves

In Tossa de Mar there are numerous beaches and coves where you can take a dip. One of the best known is Platja Gran, it has a blue flag and you can swim and sunbathe while enjoying incredible views of the walls and towers. This half-moon-shaped beach of 500 meters long, is filled every summer with tourists who share the sand with small fishing boats and enjoy its crystal clear waters full of marine fauna. Parallel to the beach you can find the promenade, full of animation, some old beautiful houses and several restaurants.

On the other hand, before leaving Vila Vella and the wall, we recommend you go to Cala es Codolar, the most beautiful beach to visit in Tossa de Mar. This small beach of 80 meters of golden sand is perfect for taking a refreshing dip or practice snorkelling thanks to its rich seabed.

Other highly recommended beaches and coves are Platja de Llorell, Platja de Porto Pi, Platja de la Mar Menuda, Cala Giverola, Cala Bona or Cala Llevadó, among many others.

Take a ride on the little touristic train or “carrilet”

There are two lines of touristic trains or “carrilets”: one that goes through the entire town of Tossa de Mar and one that goes up to the castle and lighthouse. It turns out to be a very entertaining and original way to see the locality, especially for children. 

Take a walk through the Barrio de la Roqueta

Another thing to do in Tossa de Mar is to lose yourself in the narrow and charming streets of Barrio de la Roqueta, an old fishing district located next to the walled enclosure. Streets such as Ses Set Aigüeres, Les Flors and La Roqueta, will take you to the old fishing village of white houses and the smell of the sea, from hundreds of years ago, through which walking is a real pleasure for the senses.

Have a boat trip

Another activity that you will love is taking a boat trip along the coast. You can discover other charming municipalities such as Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Malgrat de Mar, Santa Susana and Pineda from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. You can also take a boat with a glass bottom that goes from Platja Gran to Cala Giverola and travel the coast seeing the caves and marine fauna.

Relax in one of our hotels

All these activities are worth a good rest at the end of the day. For this, MedPlaya Hotels offers you three options.

• Aparthotel Esmeraldas: The Aparthotel Esmeraldas is located in the ideal town of Tossa de Mar and offers studios and apartments where you can enjoy the freedom of having basic kitchen facilities, as well as all the comforts of a hotel. The Esmeraldas is located very close to the beach and the town centre and always offers a warm welcome to all its guests. There is a small terrace area, bar service during the day and a pool for those days when you want to change the beach for the pool.

• Hotel San Eloy: The San Eloy aparthotel enjoys an excellent location, on the outskirts of the tourist complex of Tossa de Mar, just 2.5 km from the main beach and the centre. Located on the edge of a pine forest, it is the perfect setting for those who want to enjoy the countryside, the swimming pools and the beach. Its buffet restaurant offers a selection of regional, national and international dishes, and there is a terrace where you can relax and enjoy a drink while watching the sunset or the children playing. With three swimming pools and a wide variety of accommodation options to suit your needs, the San Eloy is the ideal choice for a fun family holiday.

• Pola Giverola: Located in a paradisical environment, integrated in the heart of a nature reserve on the Costa Brava, this popular complex with its own funicular to Platja de Giverola offers a variety of leisure and sports activities. There is always a lot to do at the Giverola Resort: it has an entertainment program for families and groups, an indoor pool (low season), two outdoor pools, a children’s pool and play areas, and spacious and comfortable apartments, some with views to the sea, and direct access to the beach.

Do you dare to get lost in Tossa de Mar?