Tossa de Mar is located on the Girona coast, about half way between the city of Barcelona and the French border. To the south lies the larger town of Lloret de Mar and to the north is Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Tossa de Mar is only about 75 kilometers from Barcelona, and the drive takes less than 90 minutes, making it a popular weekend escape.
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The town has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period and was a settlement for the Iberians and then the Romans during the 1st century BC.
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The walls of the town which contained a castle on the highest point of Mt. Guardí date back to the 12th century. The walled in area of the town, known as ‘Vila Vella enceinte’ is the only remnant of a fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast.
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Tossa de Mar was popular with Spanish and foreign artists during the 1930’s and the Municipal museum holds a fine art collection including works by artists such as Marc Chagall.
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The main beach, Platja Gran, is a large sandy beach located just below the Vila Vella. A little to the north is Platja de la Mar Menuda (pictured above).
The 1951 Hollywood movie Pandora and the Flying Dutchman starring Ava Gardner and James Mason brought Tossa de Mar into the spotlight, and a statue in the old town commemorates Ava Gardner.