Just 103 kilometers (64 miles) north of Barcelona, this beautiful town located on the Costa Brava is waiting for your visit. The municipality of Tossa de Mar is known as a “blue paradise” due to the color of the sea and its amazing beaches, surrounded by a stunning green mountain landscape. It’s an underrated tourist destination among visitors far and near, filled with plenty of activities to be had. If you’re seeking where to stay, Tossa de Mar also comes with a wide range of accommodation options. Among those are a handful of scenic Airbnb vacation rentals, each a cozy place to retreat in. Although the choices may be quite overwhelming, you still will find room to relax and enjoy your own spot in Spain. Take a look at the different ways and attractions to spend your summer holidays with these best things to do in Tossa de Mar, Spain.
1. Swim like a mermaid from the shores of Platja Mar Menuda (from USD 104.0)
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a mermaid in another life when you were young? This enchanting experience allows you to live out that dream, even if it’s just for a day! Whether you plan to heal your inner child or take your fellow girls out for a fun activity, treat yourself to a mermaid swimming workshop led by a PADI-certified instructor.
There are two options where you can learn how to swim effortlessly using your mermaid tail and monofin. The community pool is ideal for those seeking a safer learning environment, but if you’re feeling a bit daring, you can head straight to the shores of Platja Mar Menuda. There, you can take on the waters freely and act out like Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”
PADI Mermaid Experience in Tossa de Mar
Duration: 2 hours
2. Learn how to swim underwater with certified scuba masters (from USD 65.02)
If you feel like taking some risk, consider adding this fun, beginner-friendly adventure to your growing itinerary. Tossa de Mar is a well-known scuba diving spot, and the best way to explore this experience is by joining this underwater exposition led by PADI-certified instructors.
Should you be worried about not bringing the right materials, the crew will readily provide scuba diving equipment to get you started. After a quick briefing, it’s off the sandy shores and under the sea, where you’ll soon get accustomed to the pressure and changing conditions - of course, on top of picturesque views of surrounding reefs.
Tossa de Mar: PADI Discovery Scuba Diving
Duration: 3.0 hour
3. Chill out at one of the beautiful beaches
Tossa de Mar is not only in the Costa Brava, but also occupies 14 kilometers (8 miles) off the coast, making it the ultimate “beach city” to visit during summer. Right on the town, you can go to Platja Gran or Big Beach. A great beach surrounded by the stunning Old Town. It’s probably one of the most crowded, but it’s still worth a visit.
The next beach is smaller, but a good option. Platja del Reig is so small that after a storm you won’t even have sand. Try to choose a good sunny day to visit. If you take a few more minutes walk to the shore, you’ll find the Platja de la Mar Menuda, considered the second most important beach of Tossa de Mar. This beach is ideal for families with small children since the water is not deep and there’s a special spot for bathing in the northern side of the beach, called “the women’s bath.” Get to know this beautiful spot.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Visit the Old Town and travel back in time
Villa Vella is the name of the Old Town of Tossa de Mar. This is the oldest part of the town, which is surrounded by a city wall with seven watchtowers. It’s very well preserved and that is because it was the last town in Costa Brava to be fortified and this day is the last fortified medieval town still standing on the Catalan coast.
If you want to take a little tour to the 14th century, at least in your imagination, get lost in the cobbled streets, enjoy the architecture and visit some landmarks like the Tossa de Mar Castle. To get here you have to walk uphill until you get to the lighthouse. There’s not much left. Over time it was neglected and destroyed, reconstructed and abandoned, but you still can visit the remains and take a tour through the photo gallery that shows you the complete story of this site.
5. Great opportunity to get cultural at the Municipal Museum
If you are into art, history and museums, you can enjoy all in one at the Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar, located in the center of the Vila Vella. This place used to be the former Governor’s House, until 1935 when it became a contemporary art gallery, one of the firsts in all Spain. Seems like a good location for inspiration.
The exhibits here are unique and you can have a view at the different times of Tossa de Mar with the many artworks that document the village from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. During the 30s, when the museum was inaugurated, many artists moved to Tossa de Mar and created masterpieces that are today exhibited in the museum. It’s a must-visit place if you’re seeking other things to see in Tossa de Mar!
Municipal Museum
Address: Plaça Pintor Roig Soler, 1, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain
Website: Municipal Museum
6. Far de Tossa: Where there's light
It’s hard to leave from the amazing Vila Vella, but once you are there, you’ll understand why. It’s such an interesting site with so much to see! With every step you take, you submerge deeper into history and you just won’t want to come back to the present. So go all the way to the top! The Far de Tossa (Tossa’s Lighthouse) was built in 1917 and still stands at the top of Tossa’s Cape. If you visit today, you’ll find a wonderful and interesting display of the Mediterranean Lighthouse Interpretation Center, with audiovisual material on the maritime history and all you need to know about the technology with which the lighthouses work. And if you visit this site during the summer, you might catch a concert so stay alert! And the views from this spot are amazing, so there won’t be any regrets on this tour.
Far de Tossa
Address: Passeig de Vila Vella
Website: Far de Tossa
7. Parish church of Sant Vicenç
If touring through history is what you enjoy during your holidays, you chose the right destination. Another gem you’ll find to explore in Tossa de Mar is the wonderful Parish Church of Sant Vicent, dedicated to the martyr Vincent of Saragossa. Its construction began in 1755 and was inaugurated 20 years later. It was built big, so it would be able to host the entire population of Tossa de Mar at the time.
Unluckily, most of the interior was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and the decorations with baroque altarpieces and images are now gone. Still, this religious site in the Vila Vella has some interesting spots like the chapel of Saint Sebastian, an altar of the Immaculate Conception and a huge central nave that caught the attention in comparison to the simplicity of the building in general. Interesting to say the least.
Parish church of Sant Vicenç
Address: Carrer Pou de la Vila, 6, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain
Website: Parish church of Sant Vicenç
8. Enjoy the nightlife!
Posted by Bar Kars on Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Posted by Sant Antoni Disco Pub on Thursday, 3 July 2014
Recordem que ben aviat aquest escenari estarà replet de grans músics. Obertura el proper dijous dia 13 d'abril.
Posted by Sala de Fiestas Tahiti on Saturday, 11 March 2017
After all the walking, learning and exploring, your brain needs a time out. Tossa de Mar might be small, but it doesn’t mean it’s not fun. There are many options for you to go out and discover the Spanish nightlife in this town. The good thing about the town being small is that you probably won’t need a taxi back. Below are some of the best restaurants and bars to ever grace Tossa de Mar!
Bar Lola
Address: Carrer Sant Telm, 17, Tossa, Cataluna, Spain
Facebook: Bar Lola
Sant Antoni Disco Pub
Address: 9 Carrer Portal, Tossa, Cataluna, Spain
Facebook: Sant Antoni Disco Pub
Dino's Bottles Bar
Address: Calle San Telmo, Tossa, Cataluna, Spain
Facebook: Dino’s Bottles Bar
Sala de Fiestas Tahiti
Address: Carrer Sant Josep, 28, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain
Facebook: Sala de Fiestas Tahiti
9. Out in nature
If you really want to go deep into Tossa de Mar and get the best of its nature, you can do it with a hike or bike. There are many paths that will take you somewhere beautiful, you just have to look up for the best according to how long you are willing to walk or ride. For example, for a long walk, you can take the more than 15-kilometer (9-mile) long Puis de ses Cadiretes path. This is a circular road that goes through the Montllor Mountains so you can soak up on all the green trees and vegetation. The goal is to get to Puig de ses Cadiretes and more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level and it’s the highest peak in the Ardenya Cadiretes Massif. If you want something shorter and less complicated, you can choose the Cala Pola path, only 6 kilometers (4 miles) long. With this walk, you can combine beach and mountains. If you are in for a challenge, rent a bike and go through the Aiguafina mountain bike ride. This is difficult because the path is more than 18 kilometers (11 miles) long, but it’s completely possible for all ages.
10. Go diving
Posted by TOSSASUB DIVING CENTER on Thursday, 4 May 2017
The grass is green, the sky is blue, and so is the ocean. You couldn’t find a better place to learn diving. Have you tried it before? If you haven’t, then the TossaSub Diving Center will change your life and your entire beach experience from now on. At this school, they offer courses for all levels to try out or just practice diving in an amazing beach. Take a look at the prices and classes and dare to submerge.
TossaSub Diving center
Address: Av. Sa Palma 17, 17320 Tossa de Mar, Spain
Website: TossaSub Diving center
Tossa de Mar is the perfect destination
It’s truly one of those destinations in Spain that you might not have heard so much about, but after you visit, you’ll be telling everyone to go there. The beautiful Catalonian town of Tossa de Mar is indeed worth visiting, so become one of its biggest fans by paying a visit and enjoying all the beautiful beaches and attractions it has to offer.
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Tossa de Mar, Spain
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