Tossa de Mar Holidays: Vila Vella, Beaches and Coves
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 5,001 residents · on the coast
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Tossa de Mar is a small coastal town of around 5,000 people in the Província de Girona, on the Catalan coast north of Barcelona. Its centrepiece is the Vila Vella, the fortified old quarter listed as cultural property, with the Far de Tossa lighthouse beside it. Platja Gran, the main beach, is only a few hundred metres away, and a string of coves runs along the coastline within three miles of town. Summers are warm, peaking at around 30°C in August, and Girona airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly a 22-minute drive. For British travellers wanting a compact beach town with real history at its heart, it is an easy one to get to.
Why go
- The walled Vila Vella and the Far de Tossa lighthouse sit right at the edge of town.
- Platja Gran, Es Codolar and Platja del Reig are all within a few minutes' walk.
- Girona airport has direct flights from the UK and is around 22 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Tossa de Mar
Old Walls, Lighthouse and Coves
The Vila Vella is the reason most people come: a castle site recognised as cultural property, roughly 100 metres from the centre. The Far de Tossa lighthouse stands at the same distance, and the walk up rewards you with wide sea views, a favourite with couples at the end of the day.
Beaches come next. Platja Gran, about 300 metres away, is the main town beach, while Es Codolar lies tucked right below the old walls. Platja del Reig is half a kilometre off and Platja de la Mar Menuda just under half a mile. Further along the coast, Cala d'en Jaume is about a mile away, Es Llevador around 1.2 miles, Cala d'en Carlos and Cala Pola about 1.4 miles, Cala de Giverola roughly 1.8 miles, Cala Fotedera about 1.9 miles and Cala Salionç some 2.7 miles out.
Inland, the Castell de Montagut, a cultural property in Llagostera, is about 3.4 miles away. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
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Tours & tickets in Tossa de Mar
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Tossa de Mar can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Tossa de Mar
Old Town or Along the Coves
Tossa de Mar is compact, so staying near Platja Gran puts you within a short walk of the Vila Vella, the lighthouse and the town beaches. This is the liveliest part of a small town, and the most convenient if you want to do without car hire.
If you prefer quieter surroundings, the coves to either side, such as Cala de Giverola or Cala Salionç, lie two to three miles out, which suits families happy to drive. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Tossa de Mar and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 22 min away.
Best time to visit Tossa de Mar
When to Visit Tossa de Mar
- 14°CJan18 mm
- 15°CFeb55 mm
- 17°CMar56 mm
- 19°CApr73 mm
- 21°CMay53 mm
- 25°CJun68 mm
- 29°CJul17 mm
- 30°CAug59 mm
- 26°CSept84 mm
- 23°COct87 mm
- 19°CNov50 mm
- 15°CDec38 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the best months for a beach holiday. July is the driest month of the year, with around 17 mm of rain over about three days and highs near 29°C. August is the hottest, reaching about 30°C, though it brings a few more showers.
September and October are the wettest stretch, with 84 to 87 mm of rain and up to 11 rainy days, even though daytime highs stay at 23 to 26°C. June is already warm at around 25°C. Winters are mild, with January highs around 14°C and lows near 6°C, better suited to walking the old walls than swimming.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 6°C | 18 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 6°C | 55 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 56 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 10°C | 73 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 13°C | 53 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 18°C | 68 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 21°C | 17 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 21°C | 59 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 17°C | 84 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 87 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 11°C | 50 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 6°C | 38 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drives and Ferries
Girona airport (GRO) is the closest, about 16 miles away and roughly a 22-minute drive, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona airport (BCN) also has direct UK flights and lies about 53 miles away, around an hour and a quarter by car. Reus (REU), roughly 99 miles away and about two hours twenty minutes by road, is another option with direct services from the UK.
Driving from Calais takes around 15 hours at the wheel. The port of Barcelona, about 46 miles away, has onward ferries to Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza, as well as to Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres in Italy and Tangier Med and Nador in Morocco.
By air
- Girona (GRO)16 miles, about 22 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)53 miles, about 1 h 15 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)99 miles, about 2 h 21 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 53 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (46 miles).
Tossa de Mar is good for
Around Tossa de Mar
Easy Trips Along the Coast
Lloret de Mar, a much larger town of over 37,000 people, is only about 5 miles away. Sant Feliu de Guíxols lies around 7 miles up the coast, and Blanes, the biggest of the neighbours with roughly 40,000 residents, is about 8 miles south.
Further afield, Malgrat de Mar is about 11 miles away, Calonge and Santa Susanna around 12 miles, and Palamós and Pineda de Mar both about 14 miles, all comfortable for a day out by car.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
With only around 5,000 residents, Tossa de Mar feels very different from its larger neighbours Lloret de Mar and Blanes. Book well ahead for July and August, when the warm, dry weather draws most visitors.
The town sits just 25 metres above sea level, so the centre is easy on foot, but reaching the outlying coves such as Cala Salionç or Cala Fotedera is simpler with car hire. If you travel in September or October, pack a light waterproof, as these are the rainiest months.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Tossa de Mar?
Girona airport is the nearest, about 16 miles away and roughly a 22-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Barcelona airport, around 53 miles away, is another option with direct UK flights.
When is the best time to visit Tossa de Mar?
July and August are the best months. July is the driest of the year with highs near 29°C, and August is the hottest at around 30°C. September and October are the wettest months.
What is there to see in Tossa de Mar?
The main sight is the Vila Vella, the fortified old quarter, with the Far de Tossa lighthouse alongside. Platja Gran and Es Codolar are a short walk away, and several coves lie within three miles.
Is Tossa de Mar good for families?
Yes. Its beaches suit families, with Platja Gran, Es Codolar and Platja del Reig all close to the centre. Quieter coves like Cala Pola and Cala de Giverola are within about two miles.
How far is Tossa de Mar from Lloret de Mar?
Lloret de Mar is about 5 miles away, making it an easy day trip. It is a much larger town of over 37,000 people, compared with Tossa de Mar's roughly 5,000 residents.
Can you drive to Tossa de Mar from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes around 15 hours. Once there, the town centre is walkable, though a car makes it easier to reach the outlying coves and nearby towns.