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One of my favorite memories from Spain wasn’t inside a cathedral or museum. It was jumping into the crystal-clear Mediterranean after a humid morning walk through Tossa de Mar’s medieval old town.
Tossa de Mar sits along the Costa Brava north of Barcelona, and it feels completely different from the city. Here, a medieval walled town rises directly above the beach, narrow streets wind through pastel-colored buildings, and the water was some of the clearest I saw during my trip through northern Spain.
I actually visited Tossa de Mar while staying in Girona, but it’s also one of the best beach day trips you can take from Barcelona. If you have an extra day in the city – especially during the warmer months – I think it’s worth leaving Barcelona behind for a few hours.
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Is Tossa de Mar Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want more than just another sightseeing day from Barcelona.
What makes Tossa de Mar worth the trip is that you don’t have to choose between seeing something historic and spending the day at the beach. Vila Vella, Tossa’s medieval fortified old town, sits directly above Platja Gran, so you can spend the morning climbing through narrow stone streets and along centuries-old walls before walking straight back down to swim.
That combination was what made Tossa memorable for me. I loved Barcelona, but after several days of architecture, museums and busy neighborhoods, it felt good to leave the city and spend part of the day along the water. Tossa is still popular and certainly isn’t an undiscovered beach town, particularly in summer, but it feels very different from Barcelona.
It’s also incredibly compact. You don’t need to spend the day crossing town on public transportation or rushing between attractions. Once you arrive, you can walk along Platja Gran, explore Vila Vella, see the ruins of the old Church of Sant Vicenç, continue to the lighthouse, stop for coffee and then spend the rest of the afternoon swimming.
If you only have two or three days in Barcelona on your first trip, I would stay in the city. There is simply too much to see, and I wouldn’t sacrifice places like the Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Família or El Born to squeeze in a beach trip.
But if you have four or five days in Barcelona, or you specifically want to see the Costa Brava, I think Tossa de Mar is absolutely worth giving up one city day.
And if you’re already traveling north toward Girona, I actually prefer working Tossa into that part of your itinerary rather than doing it from Barcelona. We stayed in Girona and visited Tossa from there, which gave us an easy morning at the coast without having to travel back and forth from Barcelona.
Planning a Tossa de Mar Day Trip
Tossa is small enough that you can comfortably see the highlights in a day, but I wouldn’t treat it like a quick two-hour sightseeing stop – hanging out by the beach is a big part of why you’re coming here!
Ideally, give yourself six to eight hours in town.
If you’re driving, I would try to arrive before 9 a.m., particularly during summer. We arrived early enough to enjoy the waterfront and Vila Vella before the town became noticeably busier later in the morning.
My ideal day would be simple: walk along Platja Gran when you arrive and grab some coffee. Then climb through Vila Vella while the morning is still cooler. Continue to the old church ruins and lighthouse and then spend several hours at the beach.
How to Get to Tossa de Mar From Barcelona or Girona
Tossa de Mar is easy to reach from both Barcelona and Girona, but the best option depends on whether you’re already traveling with a rental car. One important thing to know is that Tossa de Mar does not have its own train station, so if you travel by train, you’ll need to switch to a bus for the final portion of the trip.
By Car
From Barcelona: about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1½ hours.
From Girona: about 35–40 minutes.
If you’re already doing a road trip through Spain, driving is the easiest and most flexible option.
We drove to Tossa de Mar from Girona, and while the drive isn’t particularly long, parts of the route are quite mountainous with plenty of curves and turns. It’s a beautiful drive, but something to keep in mind if you’re prone to motion sickness or aren’t comfortable driving winding roads.
We also arrived fairly early in the morning, so parking wasn’t an issue for us. There is a moderately sized paid parking lot right in front of the beach, which made it incredibly convenient to park and immediately start exploring. There was also a really nice public restroom there where you could change into or out of your swimsuit.
I would still try to arrive early during the summer. By the time we finished exploring, Tossa was noticeably busier than when we arrived.
By Train
You can’t take a train directly to Tossa de Mar, but you can take the train from Barcelona to either Blanes or Girona and continue to Tossa by bus.
I would especially consider the Girona route if you’re combining the two destinations. This would work really well with my 3 Day Girona and Tossa de Mar Itinerary coming soon, where you can spend a couple of nights in Girona and visit Tossa as a day trip rather than traveling back and forth from Barcelona.
By Bus
If you’re not renting a car or doing a larger Spain road trip, the bus is probably the best way to visit Tossa de Mar from Barcelona.
Direct buses from Barcelona take around 1 hour 20 minutes, making this a very manageable day trip without having to worry about driving or parking. This option makes the most sense if you’re using Barcelona as your home base for your entire trip and simply want to spend one day exploring the Costa Brava.
From Girona, direct buses can take around 40 minutes when seasonal service is operating, although routes and connections vary throughout the year.
Transportation schedules change seasonally, so rather than relying on times published here months in advance, I recommend checking the official Tossa de Mar transportation guide before your trip. It has the most current information for traveling from both Barcelona and Girona.
Guided Costa Brava Tour
A guided Costa Brava tour is another option if you don’t want to rent a car or plan your own transportation. Many tours from Barcelona combine Tossa de Mar with another coastal town, beach or viewpoint.
The downside is flexibility. Swimming was one of my favorite parts of visiting Tossa, so I would only choose a tour that gives you several hours of free time. I wouldn’t want to travel all the way to the Costa Brava only to walk through Vila Vella and then have to leave before you’ve had time to enjoy the beach.
The Perfect One-Day Tossa de Mar Itinerary
Tossa de Mar is compact enough that you don’t need to spend much time planning how to move around once you arrive. I would focus on getting there early, exploring Vila Vella before the hottest part of the day and then leaving a large portion of your afternoon open for the beach.
Morning: Take a Quick Walking Tour
Start at Platja Gran
If you’re taking a car, get here early. We arrived around 0800 am, and it made parking really easy! There are some paid lots right by the beaches. Start at Platja Gran, the main beach directly below Vila Vella. You don’t need to settle in yet, but take a few minutes to walk along the waterfront before heading uphill. It’s really nice to see the natural beauty before all the chairs, umbrellas, and people.
Save the actual swimming for later. Once you start climbing through Vila Vella, you’re going to appreciate having the Mediterranean waiting for you when you come back down.
If you’re like me, and need a coffee before exploring – check out Bocca Specialty Coffee. It’s just a few minute walk into town, and it was one of the best cups of coffee I had on my Northern Spain roadtrip. It opens at 0800 am!
Walk Through Vila Vella & Up To the Tossa Lighthouse
From Platja Gran, start walking uphill into Vila Vella, Tossa de Mar’s fortified old town. You don’t need a complicated route or tour here. I would just follow the streets upward and take your time.
Vila Vella was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Tossa. The walls date to the early 13th century and were built in part to protect the town from attacks coming from the sea. Today, it is the only remaining fortified medieval town along the Catalan coast, and you can enter the walled area for free.
The actual experience felt much less formal than visiting a castle or ticketed historic site. You’re walking through narrow stone streets, passing old houses and continuously getting new views over the water as you climb.
Continue uphill until you reach the ruins of the Old Church of Sant Vicenç. The church you see today dates primarily to the late Gothic period, but unfortunately was damaged by a gun powder explosion.
From the church ruins, keep climbing toward the lighthouse at the top of the hill. The current lighthouse was built in 1917 on the site where Tossa’s former castle once stood. There is a small lighthouse museum inside, but you don’t need to visit the museum to make the walk worthwhile.
I would come up here primarily for the coastal views. By this point you’re high enough above town that you can really see how the rocky Costa Brava coastline wraps around Tossa!
The walk isn’t especially long, but it is uphill and we were there on a humid summer morning. I recommend wearing actual walking shoes rather than planning to do the whole thing in flimsy beach sandals.
Afternoon: Swimming and Beach Time!
Outside the walls, the rest of Tossa felt almost like a beach town frozen somewhere around the 1950s. There were faded pastel-colored buildings, narrow streets, cafés and plenty of souvenir stores. If you forgot sunscreen, a towel, swimsuit or some other beach essential, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to buy it here.
This was my favorite part of Tossa de Mar.
After spending the morning walking uphill in the humidity, jumping into the Mediterranean felt incredible. The water was incredibly clear when we visited, and once I was in, I didn’t really feel the need to rush off and find another attraction.
That’s why I wouldn’t overfill this itinerary. You traveled to a beach town on the Costa Brava. Give yourself enough time to actually have a beach day.
If you arrive early, explore Vila Vella in the morning and finish around lunch, you can easily spend several hours swimming before heading back to Barcelona or Girona.
Beach Facilities and Chair Rentals
One thing I really liked about Platja Gran was that you get the clear water and beautiful Costa Brava setting without giving up basic facilities.
There are sunbeds and umbrellas available to rent, along with showers, restrooms, lifeguard supervision, restaurants and beach bars. There are also accessible walkways and assisted bathing services.
As I mentioned earlier, the paid parking lot we used directly in front of the beach also had a really nice public restroom. This made it easy for us to change rather than sitting in wet swimsuits for the drive back to Girona.
If you’re visiting Tossa from Barcelona and don’t want to carry beach chairs or an umbrella around all day, I wouldn’t. Rent what you need once you get there.
If you want to see another beach while you’re here, Mar Menuda is only a short walk from the center of town and is Tossa’s second main beach. There is also a small protected, shallow area at its northern end that can be useful if you’re traveling with younger kids.
What to Bring to Tossa de Mar
You really don’t need to pack much beyond what you would normally bring for a beach day. I would have your swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, water and a lightweight towel, plus shoes that you’re comfortable walking uphill in.
I would also bring a change of clothes if you’re returning to Barcelona or Girona that evening. Having access to a restroom near the beach made it much nicer to swim until we were finished and then change before getting back into the car.
And bring your camera to take photos of the old medieval streets!
Where to Eat and Drink in Tossa de Mar
I wouldn’t turn your Tossa day trip into a restaurant-hopping itinerary unless food is one of your main reasons for visiting. You only have so many hours here, and I would personally rather use them walking through Vila Vella and swimming.
For a good cup of coffee, I highly recommend Bocca Specialty Coffee. For lunch, you’ll find plenty of restaurants around the town center, waterfront and streets surrounding Vila Vella, so you don’t need to plan your entire day around one specific reservation.
If you do want to seek out something local, look for cim i tomba on the menu. It’s one of Tossa’s traditional dishes, made with fish, potatoes and vegetables. It originated as a practical meal fishermen could prepare while spending long hours at sea.
Water Safety at Tossa De Mar
Obviously you’re swimming in the ocean – so wildlife is something you’ll always need to think about. We did encounter jellyfish during our time along the Spanish coast, so I think it’s worth being aware of them without making them a reason not to swim. In Tossa, we saw a HUGE, beautiful jellyfish. Luckily, it was NOT a Portuguese man o’ war (which we did see along the northern coast!).
When you arrive, pay attention to the beach flags and any warnings posted by the lifeguards. Conditions can change from one day to another, and the presence of jellyfish can affect whether swimming is recommended.
As far as the beach goes, I never felt unsafe. It seemed like the people visiting the beach were genuinely trying to relax and vacation. Whereas, in Barceloneta – I felt a bit on edge, like there were scammers or pickpockets around me at all times. But, take this with a grain of salt because this was just my perception.
Is Tossa de Mar Better Than Barceloneta?
If you’re asking which one I would choose for an actual beach day, I would absolutely choose Tossa de Mar.
If you’re staying in Barcelona, obviously Barceloneta is much easier to get to. Barceloneta is also VERY busy and the restaurants tend to have higher prices (and per locals, mediocre food). I would have a hard time leaving anything on the beach in Barceloneta, even if it was within my line of sight.
But, if you only have three days in Barcelona and simply want to swim for a couple of hours between sightseeing, I wouldn’t spend half the day traveling somewhere else – just go to the beach in Barcelona and enjoy the city!
But if you have an extra day and the beach itself is part of what you want to experience, I thought Tossa de Mar was much more memorable. The water was clear, refreshing and the added experience of walking through Vila Vella before swimming was pretty memorable!
Should You Visit Tossa de Mar as a Day Trip or Stay Overnight?
For most people visiting Barcelona, I think a day trip is enough. You can walk through Vila Vella, reach the lighthouse, have lunch and spend a few hours at the beach without feeling like you missed the main experience.
I would stay overnight if you specifically want a slower beach trip. Spending the night would give you the evening after many day-trippers leave, an early morning on the beach and more time to explore some of the smaller coves and coastal paths surrounding Tossa.
For our Northern Spain road trip, we drove from Girona and visited Tossa de Mar as a day trip. Girona has enough restaurants, historic sites and evening atmosphere that I wanted more than one day there, while Tossa worked really well as our beach escape.
That’s also why I think these two destinations pair so well together. In my upcoming 3 Day Girona and Tossa de Mar Itinerary, I would base yourself in Girona, spend one morning and afternoon in Tossa and then return to Girona that evening.
If Barcelona is your only base for your trip, there’s no need to move hotels just to visit Tossa de Mar. Take the bus in the morning and return that evening.
Where to Stay in Tossa de Mar
I didn’t stay overnight in Tossa de Mar, so I don’t want to pretend I have a personal hotel recommendation here – there are several fabulous looking hotels around the area. Butttttttt, the views at Elisabeth by the Sea blow-me away.
I would especially consider an overnight stay if you want to photograph Tossa early in the morning or around sunset. One of the biggest differences I noticed during our visit was how quickly the town changed as more visitors arrived, and staying locally would give you those quieter hours without having to drive in first thing.
Tossa de Mar FAQ
How much time do you need in Tossa de Mar?
It really depends on how long you plan to swim around and lay on the beach for. I would give yourself at least six hours to make the day trip worthwhile. But, a full day is better if you want to swim longer and grab a few meals.
Can you visit Tossa de Mar in one day from Barcelona?
Yes. A direct bus from Barcelona makes Tossa de Mar very doable as a day trip, especially if Barcelona is going to be your base for your entire stay.
I would take an early bus, spend most of the day in Tossa and return to Barcelona in the evening rather than trying to squeeze Tossa into half a day.
Does Tossa de Mar have a train station?
No. If you want to incorporate a train into your trip, you can travel from Barcelona to Blanes or Girona and then continue by bus.
For most travelers staying in Barcelona, I think taking the direct bus is simpler.
Is Vila Vella free to visit?
Yes. Vila Vella is open year-round and access to the fortified old town itself is free.
You can walk through the old streets, walls and viewpoints without buying a ticket.
Can you swim in Tossa de Mar?
For me, this is half the point of visiting!
Platja Gran is the main beach directly beneath Vila Vella and has lifeguards, showers, restrooms, sunbed rentals and other beach facilities.
Swimming after our humid walk through Vila Vella ended up being one of my favorite memories from Tossa.
Is Tossa de Mar good without a car?
Yes. Once you get to Tossa, you really don’t need a car at all. The beach, town center, Vila Vella and lighthouse are close enough to explore on foot.
If you aren’t already renting a car for a larger road trip, I would take the bus from Barcelona rather than renting one specifically for this day.
What is the best time to visit Tossa de Mar?
If swimming is important to you, I would visit during the warmer summer months. I personally liked being there in summer because getting into the Mediterranean was a major part of the experience!
The tradeoff is crowds. If you visit during peak summer, arrive earlier in the morning. We had no trouble parking when we arrived in the morning, and both the beach and town became noticeably busier as the day went on.
Is a Tossa de Mar Day Trip From Barcelona Worth It?
For me, yes – but I think it depends on how much time you have in Barcelona.
If this is your first trip and you only have two or three days, I would stay in Barcelona. There is too much in the city that I wouldn’t want you to rush through just to say you saw the Costa Brava.
If you have an extra day, want a real beach day or are already traveling north toward Girona, Tossa de Mar becomes much easier to recommend!
I loved that we didn’t have to choose between sightseeing and relaxing. We spent the morning walking through a medieval fortified town, learned a little more about the history behind the ruins and then walked straight back down to some of the clearest water we encountered on the trip.
After a hot, humid morning climbing through Vila Vella, jumping into the Mediterranean was exactly where I wanted to be.
Related Content: Tossa de Mar Day Trip, How to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona, The Perfect Northern Spain Road Trip Itinerary
Hi, I’m Amber —
A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.
