Wondering where Tossa de Mar fits into your Costa Brava plans? This medieval coastal town of just under 6,000 people, tucked north of Barcelona in Catalonia’s Costa Brava region, punches well above its size. Whether you’re weighing it up as a day trip from Barcelona (it’s just 86 km away) or wondering if it deserves a few nights of its own, there are plenty of things to do in Tossa de Mar to fill either kind of visit.
Three blue flag beaches, a hilltop castle, and a tangle of charming side streets lined with shops and bars. K-Pop fans might already recognise the town from YooA’s music video ‘Melody’ or the Korean series ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’, filmed along this same stretch of coast; are just a few of this towns highlights.
Sitting 38 km from Girona, it’s an easy add-on to a Catalonia itinerary, and once you see it, you’ll understand why it’s worth more than a passing glance.
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How To Get To Tossa de Mar
The easiest and fastest way is by car. It’s about an hour and ten minutes from Barcelona along the AP-7 and then the C-32 and C-65, and having your own car means you can also stop off at other Costa Brava towns on the way, which I’d genuinely recommend doing rather than going straight there and back.
If you don’t want to drive, the bus is your best option. Sarfa/Moventis runs a direct service from Barcelona Nord bus station to Tossa de Mar, taking around an hour and fifteen minutes, and it’s a route I’ve used myself when I didn’t want the hassle of parking in town during peak season. Buy your ticket in advance online if you’re travelling in July or August, since the buses do fill up.
There’s no train station in Tossa de Mar itself, the nearest is in Girona or Blanes, so the train only makes sense if you’re combining it with a bus or taxi for the last leg, and at that point it’s usually more hassle than just taking the direct bus from Barcelona.
If you’re coming from Girona Airport, a taxi takes about 40 minutes and is the simplest option if you’ve just landed and want to get straight there without juggling transfers
Best Time To Go To Tossa De Mar
I’d say May to June or September is the best time to visit Tossa de Mar. The water’s warm enough to swim, the town hasn’t been swallowed by the July and August crowds yet, and you can actually get a table at one of the seafront restaurants without queueing. July and August are when Tossa de Mar gets properly busy, day-trippers pour in from Barcelona and the beaches fill up fast, so if you want photos without fifty other people in them, avoid those two months if you can.
Winter is a different town entirely. Most of the restaurants and shops close up, the castle still has its views but the whole place feels half asleep. I wouldn’t plan a trip around it unless you just want somewhere quiet to walk and don’t mind everything being shut.
If I were going back, I’d pick early June. Long days, warm sea, and the town still feels like itself rather than an extension of the Barcelona day-trip circuit.
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What To Do In Tossa de Mar
1. Hike The Cami de Ronda Coastal Path
The best way to explore all that Tossa de Mar has to offer is on foot, using the ‘Camí de Ronda’ coastal path. This trail is well-signposted and provides breathtaking views of the town and the Mediterranean Sea.
There are several hiking options, but I recommend the Cami de Ronda between Tossa de Mar and Cala Pola, which is a 6km round trip. It’s an excellent choice for those with limited time in Tossa de Mar.
The hike commences at the castle beside Playa Grande beach and follows a cliff-edge path overlooking the ocean. Along the way, there are a few viewpoints where you can take a break and take in the scenery.
I recommend wearing proper hiking shoes rather than sandals, as some parts of the trail have uneven terrain with loose steps.
2. Walk The Castle Walls
A defensive wall once protected the old town of Tossa de Mar. Certain sections of the wall are accessible from the old town and offer incredible panoramic views of the town.
Make sure to take a picture of the ‘Forat del Dimoni‘ (devil’s hole), a small gap in the city wall that overlooks the ocean and is exceptionally picturesque.
3. Glass Bottom Boat Trip
Take a glass bottom boat trip between Tossa de Mar and Cala Giverola visiting 3 caves and 3 coves.
You can either stay on the boat or spend some time on one of the beaches and catch the next boat back. Boats depart every hour during the low season and every 30 minutes from June to September.
You can book this boat tour on the boat operators website.
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4. Cap de Tossa Lighthouse
The lighthouse is visible from various points in the town and beaches, it is situated on the edge of the town beside the sea. It is also the highest point of Tossa de Mar.
5. Relax On The Beaches
There are three blue flag beaches in Tossa de Mar, all are in walking distance of one another.
- Playa Grande – This is the main beach of Tossa de Mar located in the heart of the town.
- Mar Menuda – 280m long and is the best beach for people with mobility issues. It is also the best option for snorkeling and diving.
- Es Codolar – Small cove at 30m long and is located behind the castle walls.
6. Explore Old Town
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