Tossa de Mar is a Spanish town located on the Costa Brava, in the province of Girona (Catalonia). It has just over 6,000 inhabitants, but when the summer months arrive the population multiplies thanks to tourism.
My colleague Ana Pérez decided to include Tossa de Mar in her article on the most beautiful towns in Catalonia. It was by no means a mistake, since it has earned that privilege thanks to a unique location, very clean beaches, a summery atmosphere and a series of buildings that are worth visiting.
Beaches and coves
Most of the tourists come to Tossa in search of sun and beach. They are foreign tourists especially in the months of July and August, but national tourism is also very fashionable. It is thanks to beaches like the one right next to the Torre de Ses Hores and Vila Vella (Old Town), a beach located a few meters from the promenade that is usually filled with families. It is what you can see in the image that heads this article.
Apart from that beach, which is known as Platja Gran de Tossa de Mar , it is worth visiting Cala Futadera, Cala Llevadó, Cala Salionç, Cala Giverola, Cala Giveroleta, Cala Bona, Cala d’en Carles, Cala Figuera, Cala Pola , Cala des Bordims and Cala Sot d’en Boada. That in terms of coves, because then there are also other beaches such as Platja de la Mar Menuda, Platja del Reig, Platja Porto Pi, Platja d’es Codolar, Platja Banyera de Ses Dones or Platja Santa Maria de Llorell.
The oldest area of Tossa de Mar
The oldest part is undoubtedly that of Vila Vella, where the Torre de Ses Hores is located with the flag of Catalonia waving at the highest part. It is of great value because it is the only example of a fortified medieval town that still stands on the Catalan coast.
Named a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931, it is striking for being a walled enclosure that was built between the 12th and 14th centuries to defend against pirates. The Ses Hores tower is the best known, but there are also two more: the des Codolar and the d’en Jonàs.
Inside Vila Vella is the Tossa Municipal Museum (MMdT), one of the oldest contemporary museums. There are works by Catalan artists such as Rafael Benet, Josep Mompou or Pere Creixams, but also by international artists such as Jean Metzinger, André Masson or Marc Chagall.
The Far de Tossa
El Far de Tossa ( Tossa Lighthouse) is located at the highest point of Vila Vella. It was built in 1917 and is currently the headquarters of the Interpretation Center of the Mediterranean Lighthouses. It is an audiovisual center that has become a must-visit for anyone who wants to have a deep vision of the world of maritime signals. You can learn about the history and technology of lighthouses, and also the lives of the people who worked at the lighthouse.
Gastronomy and shops
Your stomach can be calm in Tossa de Mar. The gastronomy is very varied and it will not take long to find bars and restaurants along the seafront and in the adjoining streets that offer menus that are well priced. In addition, I recommend you try the cim-i-tomba , a typical dish from there that you can savor in more than 15 restaurants. It is made with fish and vegetables.
The stores are a non-stop. In the streets of Vila Nova (a new part that is not really that new) you will find many shops with souvenirs and all kinds of products such as bracelets, T-shirts and others. However, it is best to visit the stops next to Platja Gran de Tossa de Mar, right where the climb to Vila Vella begins. There are also stops in other parts of the city near the sea where you can buy authentic food such as the typical fuets and cheeses that are sold in the best towns in Catalonia.
