With a castle towering above, Tossa de Mar provides the Costa Brava with one of its most iconic images.
Tossa Castle. Photo by David Leigh.
Tossa de Mar is a charming coastal town located in the heart of the Costa Brava, just an hour’s drive from Barcelona. With its picturesque old town, stunning beaches, and lively nightlife, Tossa de Mar is the perfect destination for holidaymakers seeking a mix of relaxation, culture, and adventure.
Before the arrival of mass tourism in the 1950s the primary industries of Tossa de Mar were grapes and cork. Much of the surrounding area consists of forest with cork oak. This was shipped to the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries. It also had a small fishing fleet on which the population relied when times got hard.
In 1950s the town was famous for the arrival of Ava Gardner to film “The Flying Dutchman” with James Mason. In 1998 a bronze statue was erected within the castle walls to honour her.
Statue of Ava Gardner in Tossa de Mar. Photo by David Leigh.
Today Tossa remains a popular tourist destination, with a sandy beach and castle overlooking the modern town. Within the castle walls lies the original medieval town, and the area just outside the castle walls are distinctly old world. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants next to the beach, although it is slightly spoiled by the stream that runs in the sand parallel with to the sea in this area.
Tossa de Mar’s beach from the castle. Photo by David Leigh.
The northern end of the beach is less authentically Catalan with a number of three or four story apartment buildings and hotels. Although not really in character of the true Costa Brava, they at least don’t dominate the seafront like in some other towns.
One of the reasons to choose Tossa de Mar over other areas of the Costa Brava is the town’s atmosphere. Unlike some of the more touristy resorts along the coast, Tossa de Mar has managed to retain much of its traditional charm, with narrow cobbled streets, ancient stone walls, and a fortified castle that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
Accommodation options in Tossa de Mar cater to all budgets and preferences and many properties are situated in the old town, just a stone’s throw away from the beach, shops, and restaurants.
Speaking of restaurants, Tossa de Mar is known for its delicious seafood dishes and traditional Catalan cuisine. Visitors can enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood, paella, tapas, and local wines at the numerous restaurants and bars in the town.
There are plenty of activities to keep holidaymakers busy in Tossa de Mar, from water sports like scuba diving, kayaking, and paddle boarding to hiking and cycling in the nearby hills. Cultural events also take place throughout the year, including music, parades and culinary events.
For history buffs, Tossa de Mar has a fascinating past that dates back to Neolithic period. The town’s medieval walls and castle offer a glimpse into its rich history, while the Municipal Museum showcases artefacts from the area’s prehistoric and Roman eras.
Overall, Tossa de Mar offers a wonderful blend of relaxation, culture, and adventure, making it an ideal holiday destination for anyone seeking a taste of authentic Costa Brava lifestyle.
Beaches
Tossa de Mar is known for its stunning beaches, each with its own unique character and facilities. The main beach, Platja Gran, is the largest and most popular beach in the town, located right in the heart of the old town. This crescent-shaped beach is made up of golden sand and has clear, shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. The beach has plenty of facilities, including sun loungers and parasols for hire, showers, and there are bars and restaurants on the promenade. During the summer months, the beach can get quite busy, but there is plenty of space for everyone.
Mar Menuda Beach is a smaller sheltered cove located to the north of the town. It is quieter than Tossa Beach and has fewer facilities, but there are still sun loungers and parasols available for hire.
Cala es Codolar Beach is a secluded beach located to the south of the town, near the lighthouse and overlooked by the castle. The beach is made up of coarse sand and is surrounded by rocky cliffs. Codolar Beach is a quiet, peaceful spot with few facilities, but it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
As well as the main town beach and the couple of others nearby you might also like to explore further afield. Drive along the winding coastal road toward Sant Feliu de Guíxols or southbound towards Lloret de Mar and explore some more secluded beaches and coves along the way. Read about the beaches near Tossa de Mar here.
Where to stay
Like most seaside towns on the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar has plenty of accommodation available in the summer months. You’ll find a variety of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. If you’re traveling with a group or prefer more privacy, a rental apartment or villa might be a good option. Tossa de Mar has plenty of choice in this area.
Unlike some other towns though there are plenty of hotels. While the accommodation in many resorts consists mainly of holiday rental properties, Tossa has numerous hotels. These provide visitors with a comfortable and convenient base from which to explore the town’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Many hotels offer a range of amenities and services to enhance guests’ stays. These may include on-site restaurants, pools, fitness centres, spas, and children’s play areas. Some offer stunning sea views and many are located within an easy walk of the town’s top attractions.
The 3-star Hotel Diana is a family run boutique hotel in a building designed in the modernista style by one of Antoni Gaudí’s disciples. It is near the beach and has a bar and restaurant. 2-star Hostal de Mar is more basic but the rooms are very nicely done and you get view of the castle. At the far end of the beach you’ll find the 4-star Gran Hotel Reymar. It has great facilities down to an on-site dive school and valet parking and is right next to Mar Menuda beach. For more hotels see our page on the 10 best Tossa de Mar hotels.
There are also a number of campsites in and around Tossa. The nearest to the town is Camping Can Martí, around half a kilometre from the beach. Camping Cala Llevado and Camping Pola are near the beach but a few kilometres from the actual town. Depending on your requirements they may be good choices or not. See more on our page about camping in Tossa de Mar.
Eating in & eating out
Tossa de Mar is home to a range of restaurants serving both traditional Catalan and international cuisine. In many restaurants in Tossa you’ll see a local speciality called cim i tomba. It’s a stew of fish, potatoes and onions with a few other ingredients and originally cooked by local fishermen while away at sea.
As you’d expect many restaurants serve fresh fish and seafood dishes, but you’ll also find plenty of meat too. Restaurant Castell Vell (Carrer Abat Oliba, 1) is located within the walls of the castle and specialises in traditional Catalan dishes including cim i tomba. They also serve paella, fideuà and fresh fish done in a variety of ways as well as meat dishes.
Restaurant Marina (Carrer del Tarull, 6) offers a fixed price menu with fish and rice dishes including wine and bread. And Sa Muralla (Carrer del Portal, 16) was originally a fisherman’s tavern right by the gate to the old town. For more suggestions visit out our page on Tossa de Mar’s restaurants.
In terms of self-catering, Tossa de Mar has several supermarkets where you can purchase groceries, including Esclat supermarket and Caprabo. There are also several smaller locally owned supermarkets and shops, as well as a weekly street market every Thursday morning. However, if you’re looking for a wider variety of options, you may want to consider visiting a larger nearby town.
What to see and do
Tossa de Mar is well known for the image of the castle above the beach. You can explore the vila vella (old town) inside the castle walls as well as the newer part of town outside. Take a stroll through the winding streets and enjoy the views from the castle’s walls. The views from up there are spectacular as you get a great view out to sea as well as up and down the rocky coast.
But as well as taking in the history Tossa also has a variety of other activities. Water sports are a given, including paddle boarding, kayaking, and scuba diving. You can rent equipment or take lessons from local providers. Several companies offer boat tours along the Costa Brava, allowing you to see the coastline from a different perspective. Some tours even include stops for swimming and snorkelling.
The Municipal Museum is located in the old town and showcases the history and culture of Tossa de Mar. The museum features a collection of artwork, archaeological artefacts, and traditional crafts. And the Camí de Ronda is a scenic coastal path that runs along the Costa Brava, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean. The section between Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar is particularly picturesque.
Overall, Tossa de Mar offers a mix of cultural and outdoor activities that can cater to a range of interests. From exploring the historic old town to hiking along the coast, there is plenty to see and do in this charming Costa Brava town. For more on what Tossa has to offer click here.
How to get to Tossa
From the French border Tossa de Mar is approximately an hour and 20 minutes drive from the French border. Take the AP-7 road south towards Girona and then take the C-35 at junction 9 in the direction of Lloret de Mar and Blanes and finally the winding GI-681 at junction 94 to arrive in Tossa de Mar. This last section of road after you leave the C-35 near Llagostera is rather mountainous but spectacular.
You can get to Tossa de Mar by road from Girona-Costa Brava airport in around 40 minutes. From Barcelona airport it takes around 90 minutes on the AP-7 and joining the C-35 at junction 9A. An alternative is the C-32 via Blanes and Lloret de Mar. Once again though, the last stretch of road is mountainous.
You can also reach Tossa from Girona by bus in the summer months. The journey is about an hour. From Barcelona airport the trip is about two hours. The service operates year round but more frequent in the summer.
