Tossa de Mar, Spain is an ancient resort town in Catalonia, famous for its beautiful landscape, historical sights and good weather.
General information
Tossa de Mar is a popular resort in the east of Spain, on the Costa Brava coast. It is located 40 km from Girona and 115 km from Barcelona. It is known as a prestigious European resort, where tourists from the USA, Great Britain and France like to relax. Here you can often meet people of creative professions.
Tossa de Mar is also famous for its picturesque sunsets and beautiful nature: the resort is surrounded on all sides by cliffs and dense fir forests, due to which high waves rarely rise here and, in general, the weather is almost always good.
This resort in Spain will also be of interest to history buffs – there are several interesting sights here.
Attractions
Tossa de Mar, located on the Costa Brava coast, is a cozy town famous for its historical sights. There are very few of them here, but if the main goal is a seaside holiday, then this is quite enough.
Since the resort itself is located in a mountainous area, the main attractions are on the hills. Thus, the Old Town begins on the coast and “goes” up. Below you will find photos and descriptions of the main attractions of Tossa de Mar.
Fortress Tossa de Mar (Castle of Tossa de Mar)
The fortress, towering on the mountain, is the main symbol and the most famous landmark of the resort of Tossa de Mar. It was built in the 12th-14th centuries, and in the 16th century a full-fledged city grew outside of it.
Interestingly, the Old Town of Tossa de Mar is now the only surviving medieval settlement in Catalonia. The rest of Spain’s cities have failed to preserve their historical character – they have been built up with new-fangled houses, hotels and restaurants.
You can walk along the ancient walls for several hours, and tourists love to do this. One of the most popular attractions inside the fortress is the Clock Tower, which rises near the main entrance to the Old Town. It got its name because it used to have the only clock in the village.
It is also worth paying attention to the Joanas Tower, which is located near Gran Beach – it offers the most beautiful view of the sights and the sea, and here you can take the best photos of Tossa da Mar.
Be sure to visit the Kodolar Tower, better known as the Tower of Homage – from here begins a hiking trail that offers picturesque views of the resort. It is better to do this in the evening – during the day the sun is too hot.
Old town
The old town of Tossa de Mar is in many ways similar to other old European towns: narrow cobblestone streets, dense winding buildings and several main squares. In addition to the traditional attractions, tourists should pay attention to:
- The Tossa Lighthouse is the highest point of the resort. It was built on the basis of an old tower, so the actual age of the lighthouse is much greater than the official one. The height of this landmark of Tossa de Mar in Spain is 10 meters, and the light of the lantern is visible for 30 miles. Now the lighthouse houses the Museum of Mediterranean Lighthouses, which can be visited for 1.5 euros.
- The parish church of San Vincent, which was built in the 15th century on the site of a destroyed temple. In the 18th century, a new temple was built nearby, and parishioners stopped coming here. As a result, over more than 2 centuries, the building gradually deteriorated, and now two walls and an entrance arch remain.
- The square and monument to Ava Gardner, a famous American actress of the 20th century. The reason for installing the sculpture is simple – Ava first starred in one of the detective melodramas, the filming of which took place in Tossa de Mar. And then she stayed to live in this cozy town – she liked this place so much. Photos of this landmark of Tossa de Mar, Spain can be seen below.
- The Batlle de Saca House or the Governor’s House is the former residence of the tax officials and is now the Municipal Museum of Tossa. The pride of the exhibition is considered to be the painting by Marc Chagall “The Celestial Violinist”.
- Plaza de Armas. Located near the Clock Tower.
It may seem that one hour is enough to visit the Old Town – this is not so. The medieval buildings hide many secrets, and each time you pass the same places, you can find new sights.
Cathedral (Parish Church of Sant Vicenc)
What is worth seeing in Tossa de Mar is the Cathedral, the main temple of the resort, built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. The landmark may seem rather modest and simple, but it is worth visiting – there are a lot of interesting things inside.
These include:
- copy of the “Black Madonna”;
- starry sky on the ceiling;
- multi-colored candles on the iconostasis.
Many complain that it is very difficult to find the landmark – it is hidden behind numerous streets of the Old Town. If you have encountered the same problem, it is solved simply – you can go to the bell ringing, which is heard every 15 minutes.
Chapel in the Old Town (Chapel of Mare de Deu del Socors)
The Old Chapel is a small white building in the center of the Old Town. If you want to visit it, you should look closely – it is so small and inconspicuous. In terms of architectural solutions and materials, the chapel is very similar to the city’s Cathedral.
Inside the landmark there is a small hall with wooden benches, the walls are plastered white. Opposite the entrance there is a figure of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms.
The chapel itself is unlikely to surprise you, but the square where it stands (the intersection of the Royal Road and Calle Girona) is worth visiting. Here you will find a lot of souvenir shops, sweet shops and many other interesting things. Pay attention to the memorable postcards with photos of Tossa de Mar, Spain.
Beaches
Grand Beach
Gran is the central beach of the resort. It is the most popular, and therefore the noisiest. It is 450 meters long and only 50 meters wide, so after 11 am it is impossible to find a free place here.
However, tourists love this place very much, because the beach is surrounded by the Vila fortress and the bay, making it seem separated from the rest of the world.
Surface – fine sand. The entrance to the sea is gentle, the depth is small – ideal for families with children. Since there are always a lot of people in this part of the coast, there is garbage here, but it is regularly cleaned up.
As for amenities, there are no umbrellas or sun loungers, which may be a problem for many. There are 2 cafes and a toilet nearby. There are plenty of entertainments – you can rent a motorboat or a boat, go diving or ride a banana. Also popular is the procedure of relaxing massage, which can be enjoyed at the hotel nearby.
Menuda Beach (Playa de la Mar Menuda)
Menuda is the smallest beach in the resort of Tossa de Mar – its length does not exceed 300 meters, and its width is no more than 45. It is located near the central part of the town, but there are not as many people here as on the Gran Beach.
The surface is small pebbles, but the entry into the sea is sandy and gentle. The water, like the beach itself, is very clean, there is no garbage. There are no problems with the infrastructure either: there are sun loungers (rent per day – 15 euros), toilets and a shower. There is a bar and a cafe nearby.
There is less entertainment in this part of the resort, and many recommend diving here – right near the shore you can meet colorful sea creatures.
Cala Giverola
Cala Giverola is one of the best places to relax with children, 6 km from the city. The bay is surrounded by rocks on all sides, so there is almost never any wind here. There are sun loungers, umbrellas and toilets on the territory. There is a restaurant and a rescue service.
Giverol has one of the best diving centres in Spain, where you can hire an instructor and rent equipment.
The surface is sandy, sometimes there are stones. The entrance to the sea is gentle, there is no garbage. There is a parking lot nearby (cost – 2.5 euros per hour).
Cala Pola
Pola is another secluded beach in the vicinity of Tossa de Mar. The distance to the resort is 4 km. Despite the distance from the city center, there are many tourists here. There are several reasons. Firstly, its small size – only 70 meters long and 20 meters wide. Secondly, soft golden sand and turquoise water. And thirdly, all the necessary infrastructure, which is sometimes so lacking in suburban recreation areas.
The entrance to the sea is flat, the depth is small. There is not much garbage, but it is still there.
As for amenities, there are toilets and showers on the beach, and a cafe. It is important that there are lifeguards on Cala Pola.
Cala Futadera
Futadera is a beach in the vicinity of the resort of Tossa de Mar. The distance from the town is only 6 km, but not everyone can get here – you need to know the area well.
The length is only 150 meters, and the width is 20. There are very few people here (primarily due to the inaccessibility), thanks to which nature has been preserved in its original form. The sand is fine, stones and shell rock are often found. The water is bright turquoise and very clean. The entrance to the sea is gentle.
There is no garbage here, as well as no people. There is no infrastructure either, so when going here, it is worth taking something to eat with you.
Codolar Beach (Platja d’es Codolar)
Codolar is the third largest beach in Tossa de Mar. It is located near the Old Town and is the most picturesque – it used to be a fishing village, and many old boats are still here.
Length – 80 meters, width – 70. The sand is fine and golden, the entry into the water is gentle. There are few people on Codolar, since most tourists prefer to relax on Gran Beach. There is practically no garbage.
As for amenities, there is a toilet and shower on the beach, and a cafe nearby. Among the entertainment, diving and volleyball are worth mentioning. Many also recommend renting a boat and going on a sea trip.
Accommodation
There are just over 35 hotels in Tossa de Mar. It is worth booking rooms well in advance, as the town is very popular with holidaymakers from Europe and the USA.
The average price for a double room in a 3* hotel in high season ranges from 40 to 90 euros. This price includes a spacious room with a beautiful view of the sea or mountains, all the necessary equipment in the room and entertainment on the hotel grounds. Guests can use Wi-Fi and parking for free. Some hotels provide free transfer from and to the airport.
There are only seven 5* hotels in Tossa de Mar, which are ready to accommodate two guests in the high season for 150-300 euros per day. This price includes breakfast, a terrace with a view of the sea or mountains and a room with designer renovation. Tourists also have the opportunity to visit the spa treatments in the salon on the hotel grounds, a swimming pool with a massage shower, a fitness room and relax in the gazebos. On the first floor of the 5* hotel there is a cafe.
Weather and climate. When is the best time to come?
The climate in Tossa de Mar is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm summers. There are no sharp temperature changes or heavy rains throughout the year. Interestingly, the Costa Brava coast is the coolest in all of Spain, and the weather here is always comfortable.
Winter
During the winter months, temperatures rarely drop below 11-13°C. At this time, there is minimal rainfall, making the Spanish winter ideal for excursions and historical sightseeing.
Spring
In March it often rains, but they are short-lived and are unlikely to bother vacationers much. The thermometer stays at 15-16°C. This time of year is well suited for excursion tours and eco-tourism enthusiasts.
In April and May, the air temperature rises to 17-20°C, and the first tourists begin to arrive in Spain en masse.
Summer
June is considered the most favorable month for holidays not only in Tossa de Mar, but also on the entire Costa Brava coast in Spain. The temperature does not rise above 25°C, and there are not as many holidaymakers as in July or August. The prices will also please – they are not as high as in July and August.
The high season begins in July and August. The thermometer stays at 25-28 °C, and the sea water warms up to 23-24 °C. These months are also characterized by completely windless weather and no rain.
Autumn
September and early October are the velvet season, when the air temperature does not rise above 27°C, and the sun does not shine so strongly. The number of tourists on the beaches of Spain noticeably decreases, and you can relax in silence.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the beginning of the rainy season – the amount of precipitation is approximately the same as in March.
How to get there from Barcelona and Girona Airport
From Barcelona
Barcelona and Tossa de Mar are separated by more than 110 km, so you should allow at least 1.5 hours for the journey. You can cover the distance by:
- By bus. You need to take the Moventis bus at the Estació del Nord station and get off at the Tossa de Mar stop. The journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cost is from 3 to 15 euros (depending on the time of the trip). Buses run 2-3 times a day.
You can view the schedule and book a ticket in advance on the carrier’s official website: www.moventis.es. Here you can also follow promotions and discounts.
From Girona Airport
Girona Airport in Spain is located just 32 km from Tossa, so there will be no problems with how to get to the resort. There are several options:
- By bus. From Girona Airport station, take bus #86 and get off at the Tossa de Mar stop. Travel time is 55 minutes (due to many stops). Cost is from 2 to 10 euros. Moventis buses run 10-12 times a day.
- By shuttle. There is another bus from the airport 8-12 times a day that will take you to Tossa in 35 minutes. Cost: 10 euros. Carrier: Jayride.
- Since the distance between the airport and the city is relatively short, you might want to consider booking a transfer if you have too many bags or simply don’t want to push around on the bus.
Useful tips
- The Cathedral of Tossa de Mar often hosts guitar concerts, which are popular with both tourists and locals. You won’t be able to buy tickets in advance – they start selling them 30-40 minutes before the start.
- Book your hotel room in advance – many rooms are already booked up to six months in advance.
- To visit one of the beaches located in the vicinity of Tossa de Mar, it is better to rent a car – buses run infrequently.
- It is better to visit the Tossa Cathedral before 6:00 pm – after this time the temple becomes dark and the lights are not turned on.
Tossa de Mar, Spain is a good place for those who want to combine beach, sightseeing and active holidays.
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