Less than 1 hour from Santa Susanna, we find Tossa de Mar. One of the most beautiful villages on the Costa Brava, in Girona, Catalonia.
It is a fantastic holiday destination if you are looking for sun and beach. Likewise, Tossa de Mar is distinguished from the rest of the coastal towns by its beautiful old town: Vila Vella, a walled neighborhood from medieval times.
In this post we tell you everything you need to visit Tossa de Mar.
Brief history of Tossa de Mar
In the area it occupies today Tossa de Mar, evidence of human presence has been found since the Paleolithic. It was in medieval times when the Vila Vella It acquired its current appearance thanks to the construction of a castle in 1178 and a walled enclosure by order of the Abbot of the monastery of Ripoll, owner of the land.
From the eighteenth century the town became independent of the monastery and began to grow beyond the walls.
What to see in Tossa de Mar
The modern part of the town has its attractions but the real places to visit in Tossa de Mar are in Vila Vella.
It is a beautiful walled enclosure of medieval times that goes into the sea forming a small peninsula, the Cap de Tossa.
The main entrance is marked by the Creu de Terme, S. XIV , although we suggest starting around the walls by the Passeig de la Vila Vella, from there you will have fantastic views of Tossa de Mar and its Platja Gran.
After crossing the walls, you will arrive at a viewpoint where a statue of Ava Gardner stands out, built in 1998 to honor the protagonist of “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, filmed in Tossa de Mar in 1950.”
Going up a little more, you will come across the remains of the old church of San Vicente of the fifteenth century.
Only the cover of the apse and the sacristy is preserved, although you can also see some Gothic capitals, pointed arches, etc.
Going up a little further through the church, we will find the highest part of Cap de Tossa, the Far de Tossa.
It was built in 1917 on the ruins of the Castle of Tossa, of which almost nothing was preserved. In those days, it was a dilapidated windmill.
Surrounding the lighthouse or accessing the terrace of the Bar del Far, you will get beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Walking to the viewpoint of Platja Des Codolar, is one of the best options to enjoy the panoramic view. Then, you have to go down to the village to take a walk along the Walls of Tossa de Mar, free access.
Walking between the battlements and watchtowers you can walk almost the entire perimeter of the Vila Vella and admire its houses and cobbled streets from an elevated point of view.
The main entrance of Vila Vella is Plaça del Pintor Vilallonga. There is a large map where some of the most historic houses of the town are signposted, as well as the old hospital of Tossa de Mar.
In addition, you can visit the Museu Municipal, one of the oldest museums in Spain. It houses collections of painting, sculpture and glass, as well as the archaeological remains found in the Vila dels Ametllers.
The parish church of San Vicente, from 1755, and the Torre des Moros, sixteenth century, is one of the most interesting places to see in Tossa de Mar outside the enclosure of Vila Vella.
Coves and beaches of Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar stands out for its spectacular beaches and coves. There are for all tastes: small and isolated or extensive and easy to access.
The most popular and crowded is the Platja Gran, which measures 400 meters and is located just north of the Vila Vella.
Continuing north, is the Platja Mar Menuda, about 150 m and quieter.
For a more intimate option without having to leave the town center, you can go to Platja d’es Codolar, hidden between small cliffs just south of Vila Vella.
There are up to a dozen coves in Tossa de Mar. The most popular are located to the north, 1 hour walk or 20 minutes by car from the center of Tossa de Mar.
The three most famous are: Cala Pola, Cala Futadera and Cala Giverola.
On the tourism website of Tossa de Mar, you can find more details about all the beaches and coves, as well as the accesses to them.
Tossa de Mar Boat Ride
Tossa de Mar also offers a boat trip from Tossa de Mar.
Embark on an 11-meter boat with a capacity of 25 people and sail through the beaches and coves of the Costa Brava. Let yourself be carried away by the sea breeze and discover the Costa Brava like never before.
The excursion lasts 3 hours, there is a stop for a bath and aperitive in a paradisiacal cove.
The snorkeling activity will also be carried out.
Below, we attach the website to make the reservation of the boat trip and consult more details about the entrance and accesses.
If you are a curious person and eager to discover every corner of each town, Hotel Florida Park ****, offers you a wide variety of interesting activities, excursions, events, etc.
Check it out!
