Last updated: September 2026
Tossa de Mar is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful resorts on the Costa Brava — a small, historic town anchored by a perfectly preserved medieval walled fortification that rises dramatically from the headland above the main beach. The Vila Vella (old town), enclosed within 12th-century walls and towers, is the only inhabited medieval walled town on the entire Costa Brava and gives Tossa de Mar a cultural and visual character quite unlike any other resort on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Located 35 kilometres north of Lloret de Mar and just 20 minutes from the busier resort by bus or boat, Tossa de Mar offers a noticeably quieter and more refined holiday experience — a contrast that attracts visitors who want something more than a standard beach resort while still enjoying excellent beaches, clear water and the reliable sunshine of the northern Costa Brava. The resort has a long association with artists and writers; the painter Marc Chagall called it a “blue paradise”, and the Hollywood actress Ava Gardner famously holidayed here while filming nearby in the early 1950s.
| Resort type | Historic medieval town, beach resort |
|---|---|
| Beach type | Small sandy coves, clear water |
| Nearest airport | Girona (GRO) — approx. 50 min |
| Barcelona access | 1 hr 45 min by bus |
| Best for | Couples, culture lovers, families |
| Nightlife | Low to moderate — bars and restaurants |
| Average July high | 28 °C |
| Season | May – October |
Tossa de Mar’s main beach — Platja Gran — sweeps around the bay below the medieval walls of the Vila Vella, giving it one of the most photogenic settings of any beach in Spain. The beach is around 400 metres long, with fine golden-brown sand, very clear water and a gentle gradient that makes it safe and pleasant for swimming. The backdrop of the illuminated medieval towers in the evening is unforgettable. The beach has good facilities including sun lounger hire, showers, lifeguards in season and several beach bars directly on the sand.
Just to the south of the Vila Vella headland, Platja de la Mar Menuda is a smaller, slightly more sheltered cove popular with snorkellers — the rocky headland at its northern end creates interesting underwater habitat. The beach is noticeably less busy than the main beach and has its own small beach bar and sun lounger hire. Platja de Llorell, accessible by a coastal path or short drive north of the town, is a quieter cove backed by pine trees with very clear water and a more natural feel than the resort beaches.
Further along the coast, a series of smaller coves (calas) are accessible by boat trips departing from Tossa harbour, or on foot along the beautiful GR-92 coastal path. These hidden beaches — some with no facilities at all, others with a single beach bar — are the Costa Brava at its most unspoiled and genuinely spectacular. The boat trip to the Cala Pola and Cala Giverola coves is one of the most popular excursions from Tossa.
The Vila Vella is the undisputed highlight of Tossa de Mar and should be the first stop for any visitor. The walled town dates from the 12th to 14th centuries and is entered through the monumental gateway of the Torre de les Hores. Inside the walls, whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs line cobblestone streets that wind up to the remains of the 14th-century Gothic church of Sant Vicenc and three intact watchtowers on the headland. The views from the towers over the main beach and out to sea are outstanding, and the setting — particularly in the golden hour before sunset — is remarkable.
Within the Vila Vella, the Municipal Museum of Tossa houses one of the finest small art collections in Catalonia. The museum’s permanent collection includes works by Marc Chagall (one of only two publicly owned Chagall paintings in Spain), Joan Miró, Emili Grau-Sala and other artists connected to the town in the early 20th century, when Tossa was a gathering point for the European avant-garde. Entry is affordable and the building itself — a 14th-century Gothic palace — is as interesting as the collection.
The GR-92 coastal path north from Tossa towards Sant Feliu de Guixols is one of the most scenic walking routes on the entire Costa Brava, hugging the clifftops above a succession of hidden coves with dramatic sea views at every turn. The full route to Sant Feliu takes around 4 hours one way, but shorter sections — including the 45-minute walk to Cala Pola — give a taste of the dramatic landscape without committing to a full day’s hiking.
The Ava Gardner monument on the seafront promenade commemorates the Hollywood actress who, according to local legend, loved Tossa so much she declared she wanted to die here after filming Pandora and the Flying Dutchman on location in 1950. The bronze statue by the sculptor Maria Blay Porcar has become a popular selfie spot and a reminder of the town’s unusual cultural history. Other excursions from Tossa include boat trips along the Costa Brava to hidden coves, the Lloret Modernist Cemetery (20 min by bus), and day trips to Girona (1 hr by bus).
Tossa de Mar has a warm, sunny Mediterranean climate with excellent weather from May to October. The resort sits in a naturally sheltered bay and is slightly more protected from northerly winds than some of the more exposed northern Costa Brava destinations, making it comfortable even when the tramontana blows further up the coast. July and August are the hottest and busiest months (average highs of 28–30 °C, sea temperature 24–26 °C), and the main beach and old town are at their most atmospheric — if most crowded — in these months.
June and September are often the best months to visit Tossa. The weather is reliably warm, the medieval town is less crowded (making it easier to appreciate the winding streets and sea views without feeling like you are in a tourist conveyor), and accommodation prices drop by 20–30% compared to peak season. The beach is still excellent for swimming and the boat trips to the hidden coves operate on full schedules. Couples in particular tend to love Tossa in September, when the resort takes on a genuinely romantic character in the long golden light of the autumn evenings.
The nearest airport to Tossa de Mar is Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), approximately 50 kilometres north and around 50 minutes by private transfer. Ryanair operates a comprehensive schedule of UK routes into Girona, with seasonal and year-round services from London Stansted, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands and other regional airports. Shared shuttle services to Costa Brava resorts operate from the airport throughout the summer season.
Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) is around 90 kilometres south and approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by private transfer depending on traffic. Barcelona has significantly more UK flight options — particularly useful for visitors from airports not served by Ryanair’s Girona routes — and the drive up the AP-7 motorway and then along the coast road is scenic in its final stretch. Tossa has no rail connection and is not served by the Rodalies train network, so all transfers require road transport.
Accommodation in Tossa de Mar is more intimate in scale than the large hotel zones of Lloret or Blanes, with a mix of boutique hotels, small three-star properties and self-catering apartments spread across the resort. The best-positioned hotels are those with sea views over Platja Gran towards the Vila Vella — a setting that looks even more spectacular when the walls are lit up at night. Several small hotels are tucked into the streets of the modern town immediately behind the main beach.
Self-catering apartments are popular in Tossa, particularly for couples who want a home base for exploring the coastal path, taking boat trips and visiting the old town at their own pace. The village character of the modern resort means most apartments are within easy walking distance of both beaches and the various restaurants and bars in the town centre. UK operators including Jet2holidays, Olympic Holidays and Sunvil offer Tossa de Mar holidays from regional UK airports.
Search4Sun compares Tossa de Mar holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from regional airports across the UK. Whether you are looking for a romantic boutique hotel above Platja Gran, a self-catering apartment for a Costa Brava culture break, or a family week combining medieval history with excellent beaches, we can help you compare packages and find the right option at the right price.
Always check your booking is protected by ABTA, holds ATOL certification or carries ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Tossa de Mar deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates. See also our Lloret de Mar holidays and Costa Brava holidays pages for more destinations nearby.
The Vila Vella (old town) is a perfectly preserved medieval walled settlement on the headland above the main beach. Enclosed within 12th to 14th-century walls and towers, it is the only inhabited medieval walled town on the Costa Brava and is one of the most photogenic heritage sites in Spain. The towers are open to the public and the winding streets inside the walls are lined with restaurants, art galleries and craft shops. Entry to the walled area is free and it is open year-round.
Yes — Tossa de Mar is a good choice for families, particularly those with children old enough to appreciate the medieval castle and coastal walks. The main beach (Platja Gran) is well-sheltered, has good facilities and is safe for swimming. The smaller beach at Mar Menuda suits older children who like snorkelling. The resort is compact and easy to navigate on foot. It is quieter than Lloret de Mar, which suits families looking for a relaxed holiday rather than an entertainment-focused one.
Tossa de Mar is approximately 20 kilometres north of Lloret de Mar — around 20 minutes by car on the coast road (C-35), or 20–30 minutes by regular bus service. Regular buses run between the two resorts throughout the summer. Boat trips between Lloret and Tossa are also popular in summer and give spectacular views of the cliffs and hidden coves that separate the two resorts along what is considered one of the most scenic sections of the entire Costa Brava coast.
Yes — Tossa has several beaches beyond the main Platja Gran. Platja de la Mar Menuda is a smaller cove just south of the medieval walls, popular with snorkellers. Cala Pola and Cala Giverola are accessible by boat or on foot along the GR-92 coastal path and have very clear water and a natural, unspoiled character. Boat trips from Tossa harbour visit these coves and the hidden beaches further north towards Sant Feliu de Guixols, giving non-hikers easy access to the most spectacular sections of the coastline.
Ava Gardner filmed the Hollywood movie Pandora and the Flying Dutchman in and around Tossa de Mar in 1950, and reportedly fell in love with the town during the shoot. Legend has it she said she wanted to die there — a sentiment captured in a bronze statue on the seafront promenade unveiled in her honour. The film itself features recognisable shots of the Vila Vella and the main beach. Several local restaurants and cafes reference the connection, and the Gardner statue has become one of the most popular photo spots in the resort.
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