Tossa de Mar is a beautiful Medieval town on the Costa Brava, slightly north of Lloret de Mar. It’s known for its sandy coves, deep blue ocean, snorkeling spots, and excellent hiking trails.
Once you step through the impressive town walls, you’ll really understand why Tossa de Mar is often called the pearl of the Costa Brava. It’s full of cozy restaurants selling seafood, boutique shops, and historic squares taking you back in time.
It’s the perfect destination for both couples exploring the Costa Brava and families looking for somewhere fun to go with the kids. There are so many things to do in Tossa de Mar for every age group and type of traveler. Here are some of the best!
13 Things to Do in Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is an ancient town, and parts of it date back to the Romans. Nowadays it’s a fun and popular seaside resort that’s known for being the first place in the world to ban bullfighting!
1. Go to The Beach!
It’ll come as no surprise that there are some incredible beaches around Tossa de Mar. The main beach is called Platja Gran and it runs 400m along the bay in front of the town, all the way along to the Vila Vella (old town).
The azure waters and golden sand are perfect for both old and young and there are lots of facilities on the beach too. It’s the ideal place to go snorkeling or rent a paddleboard or canoe.
The second largest beach in Tossa de Mar is called Platja Mar Menuda which is very family-friendly and has lots of great restaurants dotted along it. It was even awarded the Blue Flag to prove the water quality and safety.
If you prefer smaller and more secluded coves, there are plenty of them around town as well. Two of the best are Cala Futadera and Cala Giverola.
They’re both stunning sandy bays with impressive rocky backdrops, typical of the Costa Brava. The water is crystal-clear and a little cooler than on other beaches in Spain, which is a welcome relief in August!
Explore the beautiful beaches of Tossa de Mar.
2. Walk The Camí de Ronda
One of the best Tossa de Mar activities is enjoying the stunning Camí de Ronda. Tossa de Mar is in the middle of the trail, so you can either head north or south (or do both).
The trail takes you through the pine-covered cliffs surrounding the town and along to some of the best beaches in the area.
If you take the northern route, follow the red and white signs to Cala Bona. It’s about 3km away along a rocky path surrounded by wonderful-smelling Mediterranean shrubs. Each viewpoint along the way is better than the last, with the ocean glistening below and the bendy pine trees offering some shade.
After Cala Bona is Cala Pola. Both are perfect for a quick dip or a picnic break and it’s well worth bringing a snorkel in your backpack for added fun. The water is transparent and the rocky cliffs are perfect for seeing all types of marine creatures!
The Camí de Ronda to the south offers some very impressive views of Tossa de Mar and the old town. It leads to the Llevant and Gabí beaches which are perfect for enjoying an afternoon in the sun before walking back.
3. Walk The Walls of The Old Town
The Vila Vella is the most picturesque part of Tossa de Mar. You can easily spend a couple of hours walking around the winding Medieval streets, admiring the buildings, or enjoying the boutique shops.
You can even walk along the Medieval walls which is a great way to get a brilliant view of the town and ocean behind. It’s one of the best things to do in Tossa de Mar with kids, especially if it ends with an ice cream!
4. Visit the Lighthouse and Museum
At the end of the town wall, just above Vila Vella, is Tossa de Mar’s lighthouse, which used to be a windmill.
It’s worth walking up to the lighthouse for some of the best views in the area. You can see the town to one side and the beautiful rugged cliffs to the other.
There’s also an excellent little museum next door that shows films and photographs of what holidays to Tossa de Mar looked like in the past.
The coastline is the main reason to explore the different things to do in Tossa de Mar.
5. Sign Yourself Up for Water Sports
There are so many water sports to enjoy in Tossa de Mar, including paddle surfing, canoeing, and snorkeling.
They’re a great way to see secluded parts of the area and try something new. You can rent equipment on most of the beaches and there are some shops in town too.
6. Try Tapas!
Of course, one of the best things to do in Tossa de Mar is to try some local tapas. There are lots of meat, fish, and veggie dishes to choose from, and some delicious desserts too!
Flaones de l’Alt Empordà are amazing fried pastries filled with patisserie cream and they’re local to Figueres (a town to the north of the Costa Brava).
The town is dotted with restaurants catering to all different types of needs. La Lluna is a great tapas bar serving variations of traditional and non-traditional tapas dishes. The asparagus are particularly good when they’re in season.
7. Learn to Dive
The quality of the water on the Costa Brava is amazing and it’s the perfect place to learn to dive. There are several incredible dive spots close to Tossa de Mar and it’s a great way to learn about the biodiversity of the area.
8. Visit the Roman Ruins
If you’re looking for historical Tossa de Mar attractions, then the archaeological excavations of Villa Els Ametllers are perfect. They’re located on the outskirts of town, at the top of a cliff, so not only do they offer an insight into the past of the town but they offer amazing views too!
9. Take a Day Trip to Girona
Girona is one of the most beautiful towns on the Costa Brava and it’s just a 40-minute drive from Tossa de Mar.
It’s a wonderful place to explore for a day. There are so many things to do in Girona like visiting the cathedral, climbing the city walls, trying a Xuixo (a deep-fried pastry available in many flavors but original is best!), and admiring the architecture.
You can take public transport to get to Girona but it’s a little long-winded, so it’s best to drive or get a taxi.
You’ll want to spend most of your time at the beach when you visit the Costa Brava.
10. Enjoy Market Day
Every Thursday there’s a wonderful market in the center of Tossa de Mar.
You’ll find a wide variety of local produce including meats, cheeses, seafood, and fruits and veggies. There are also some artisanal stalls selling hand-made gifts. It runs from around 8 am to 2 pm, although don’t go too late as there won’t be much left!
11. Go to the Water Park
If you’re wondering what to do in Tossa de Mar with kids, you can’t go wrong with a fun water park. The best one close by is Water World in Lloret de Mar.
There are slides and pools for everyone to enjoy and there’s even a special area for younger ones. It can get busy in high summer and lines can get long, but if you go during the week and out of season you won’t have to wait at all!
12. Wake Up Early for The Sunrise
Sunrises on the east coast of Spain are amazing and some of the best are seen from the Costa Brava.
Even if you’re not intending to start the Camí de Ronda before the temperatures climb, you won’t regret taking a thermos full of coffee and heading to one of the viewpoints. It’s usually only locals around at this time and it’s beautiful to see all the small fishing boats coming and going.
13. Go Mountain Biking
The area around Tossa de Mar is perfect for exploring on two wheels. Several marked routes of varying difficulty allow you to explore the stunning surroundings.
You can cycle along cliff edges or inland towards nearby villages and there are some great spots along the way to stop for a sandwich and a drink.
Sunrise is the time to head out to the coast to see beautiful colors in the mornings.
Ready to Tick Off All The Things to Do in Tossa de Mar?
There are so many amazing places to visit on the Costa Brava and Tossa de Mar is definitely one of them.
Whether you prefer active holidays made up of hiking and water sports or lounging on some of the most beautiful beaches, everyone can find something to do in this charming, historical town.
It’s also perfectly placed for exploring more of this amazing coastline so can easily be included in a longer trip around Spain.