Tossa De Mar

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).

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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.

The Municipal Museum has a collection from artists who visited the town in the 1930s, including Marc Chagall. There is also an archaeological section with remains from the Paleolithic era and Roman artifacts.

Getting There

By Car: the drive from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar is 100KM and takes about an hour and ten minutes.
By Bus: you can get on a Moventis bus from Barcelona Nord station. The price of a ticket is €16.10 one way and the journey takes 1 hour and 55 minutes. View the schedule here.
By Air: When arriving by plane you have two choices: Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) and Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). The Girona airport is much closer to Tossa de Mar.

Where to Stay

Budget

Hotel Turissa Just 5 minutes’ walk from the beach, this popular hotel offers free WiFi, reception until 1 AM and an outdoor pool.

Mid-Range

Hotel Diana Set on Tossa de Mar Beach, this modernist boutique hotel is in the historic center of the town. It offers a terrace with great sea views and direct beach access.

Luxury

Elisabeth by the Sea Hotel Facing the beachfront, Elisabeth by the Sea Hotel offers 5-star accommodations and features a garden, restaurant, spa and rooftop pool.

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