Sightseeing in Tossa de Mar - what to see. Complete travel guide

The charming resort town of Tossa de Mar has always been one of the most attractive destinations on the Costa Brava. For many years, the miraculous sea views of this region have inspired artists and poets. It’s hard to imagine, but yet 60 years ago, there was a small fishing village on the site of the modern resort. Ava Gardner was one of the main reasons for the skyrocketing popularity of Tossa de Mar. In the middle of the previous century, the small town became the filming spot of the movie with the famous American actress - Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.

The movie became a turning point in the history of Tossa de Mar. The tiny town started developing rapidly, and, just a few several decades later, the town’s well-developed infrastructure was ready to serve numerous tourists. Local people still remember about the Hollywood actress and her role in the development of Tossa de Mar, so there is a monument dedicated to Ava Gardner on one of the squares.

Magnificent sandy beaches are not the only attractive advantage of the resort. Tossa de Mar carefully keeps and cherishes its rich historic heritage. Tourists are welcome to visit the unique fortress that dates back to the 12th century - Vila Vella. For centuries, the fortress protected the coastline from the pirates. There are also many magnificent old mansions, squares, and charming gardens on historical streets of Tossa de Mar. A walk on picturesque streets of Old Town will certainly leave tourists keen on history amused and impressed. Nature fans, in their turn, will enjoy exploring the local botanical garden and numerous natural landmarks in the town’s suburbs. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

It’s also important to mention the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of this town. There are not that many entertainment venues in Tossa de Mar. Instead, visitors will be charmed by the inimitable historical atmosphere of this resort. Tossa de Mar is perfectly suitable for a family vacation. There are many places for walking and comfortable beaches suitable even for parents with small kids.

It’s also important to mention that the charming resort is popular with the fans of event tourism. Numerous interesting festivals and celebrations regularly take place there. Of course, the majority of events are summer ones. Tourists, who plan to visit this resort in April, can become participants of the picturesque Sant Jordi festival and learn much interesting about the cultural traditions of local people. Feast of Sant Joan or the “Night of Fire” is one of the most interesting summer celebrations. There is one more important national holiday that is celebrated at the beginning of September – the Catalonia Day. Tossa de Mar is a fantastic place where century-old traditions and modern style have merged to create a unique place. It never ceases to amaze people of art and tourists who want to relax in the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Tossa de Mar offers three picturesque coastal areas for fans of beachside recreation. All local beaches are sandy ones. Playa Grande is a beautiful beach located in a picturesque area near a rock. This coastal area is primarily valued for the picturesque views it provides. The beach offers a fabulous view of Villa Vella, a gorgeous castle built on a rock. As rocks safely protect the beach from strong winds, it is almost deprived of high waves. Mar Menuda, a no less attractive beach, is located on the other side of the charming bay. This beach also has a flat bottom and no strong waves. As there are many interesting historical landmarks not far from the beach, it is simple to make any beach vacation more exciting and enjoy some sightseeing and exploration of wonderful places.

El Codolar Beach is located behind the fortress. It is considered the least crowded of the three beaches mentioned here. Not far from Tossa de Mar coastline, there are many attractive diving and snorkeling sites. Vacationers not interested in underwater experiences are welcome to try another, a no less interesting entertainment. They can make a ride on a boat with the transparent bottom and see the fantastic underwater world of this area.

In the evening, numerous guests move to the waterfront of the resort, Passeig del Mar, as it is the location of numerous charming restaurant and cafes. It is a great place to try popular seafood dishes that local people cook in accordance with special recipes and add local spices and herbs. Some bars at the waterfront work until late at night, so it is possible to relax there all night long and then head to meet the sunrise at the seaside.

Despite the fact that Tossa de Mar is quite a small resort, it is an important stop mentioned in numerous gastronomic guides. There are several high-class Michelin restaurants, and the majority of them are located not far from the old fortress. Some restaurants are open in unique historical buildings that have managed to keep their original historical atmosphere. Finally, there are several interesting wineries not far from the resort.