Free walking tours in Tossa de Mar and what to see

Must-sees

Tossa de Mar has one of the most recognisable views on the Costa Brava: the Vila Vella, a walled medieval town on a headland by the sea. You can walk its walls and towers along cobbled alleys that climb to the lighthouse, where there is a small interpretation centre and wide views of the coast. Below, the main beach is tucked between the Vila Vella and the town.

In the old town is the Municipal Museum, which holds works by artists who passed through Tossa in the 1930s, including a painting by Marc Chagall. The town keeps the remains of the Roman villa of Els Ametllers. A statue recalls Ava Gardner, who filmed a movie here in the early 1950s. Around it are coves with clean water, such as Es Codolar, and stretches of the coastal path.

Free tours and guided visits

In high season there is the odd free walking tour of the Vila Vella, paying what you like, which explains the history of the walls and the town. Outside those months, guided visits and trips are the norm. Boat trips along the coast, some glass-bottomed, let you see coves that are hard to reach by land. There are also kayak tours, snorkelling outings and day trips to Girona and Barcelona.

How long to spend

One day is enough to see Tossa: the Vila Vella and the lighthouse in the morning, before the heat and the crowds, and the afternoon for the museum, the town and the beach. If you stay two or three days, add a boat trip, a stretch of the coastal path to the nearby coves and a trip to Girona. The road to Sant Feliu de Guíxols has lots of bends, but very beautiful views.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in the centre, between the main beach and the Vila Vella: everything is within walking distance and the town has a good atmosphere at night. The streets a little further inland are quieter and usually cheaper. Bear in mind that Tossa has no train and is reached by road, so if you are travelling without a car, check the buses. In summer it fills up, so booking ahead is a good idea.