What to see in Tossa de Mar (Costa Brava), between coves and a medieval castle

Tossa de Mar It is a town that I had avoided visiting on my last trips to the Costa Brava due to its reputation for being one of the most touristic corners of this area of Catalonia.

But recently I had the opportunity to see a promotional video of the Girona province in which images of a small fortified enclosure on the seashore appeared, and after asking where that place was, I discovered that it was the old town de Tossa de Mar.

Consequently, visit Tossa de Mar became one of the priority objectives of my most recent trip to Costa Brava.

And I can tell you that it was a very pleasant discovery.

The best way to get to Tossa de Mar It is along the coastal route from San Feliu de Guixols.

The best coves in Tossa de Mar

The reason? When you are already arriving at the town you will find a gazebo since you have beautiful ones panoramic views of Tossa de Mar, its beach and its fortified enclosure.

Additionally, along this route from the road you can also see the small coves that occur in this area of ​​the Costa Brava, with its most typical landscapes.

Si vas a Tossa de Mar in search of Playa, the ideal is to go down to one of these coves.

Of course, in the town you have a longer beach, but I consider that the true charm is in enjoying these coves.

It will not be easy for you to access them, as you will have to leave the car parked in those areas where the road allows it, and then you have to look for access to the path to go down to the small beach on the seashore.

Apart from the Great beach y Reig beach, which are found in the same Tossa de Mar, way of Saint Feliu you have Cala Bona, Pola cove y Cala Giverola, all in a stretch between three and five kilometers away.

And on the road southbound Lloret de Mar, in the first five kilometers you find up to five coves, from Llevado cove to Moorish Cove.

Of course, if you go during the summer vacation time you will find them completely packed with bathers, just as I saw them during my visit of Tossa de Mar.

The best things to see and do in medieval Tossa de Mar

But I remind you that it was not the most touristic side of Tossa de Mar the one that took me to visit this famous town in the Costa Brava, but its medieval face.

And it was a very pleasant surprise.

Sa Roqueta neighborhood, fishing neighborhood in Tossa de Mar

To discover and enjoy the Medieval Tossa de Mar, I advise you to park your car in one of the town's parking lots and go to Sa Roqueta.

This is a traditional fishing district where the concentration is now most touristic area of ​​restaurants and bars.

You will pass through the the church square where is the parish church of Saint Vincent, the most prominent of Tossa de Mar.

In this neoclassical building and a single nave, which was built outside the walls from 1755 to better meet the needs of the population that had been moving outside the medieval walls since the XNUMXth century.

Medieval coastal fortification of Tossa de Mar

When you finally cross the access porch to the old medieval enclosure, I assure you that you will feel transported to another time.

It is the only coastal medieval fortification that exists in Catalonia, which was built at the beginning of the 13th century.

In Vila Vella from Tossa de Mar You will undoubtedly be struck by the numerous stone houses of what was the town during the Middle Ages, reaching its greatest splendor in the 80th century, when it had up to XNUMX buildings.

During your visit you can walk through the narrow alleys with stone paving, or climb the wall and little by little ascend towards the highest area of ​​it.

You will be able to see that up to four towers and three cylindrical towers are preserved.

As you go up you will have beautiful views of the Tossa de Mar beach and the landscapes that surround the coastal town.

At the top of the hill you will find various viewpoints that will allow you to enjoy these landscapes even better.

Old Church of San Vicente

During this tour you will pass by the remains of the original church of San Vicente located within the walls.

Built in late gothic style In the 15th century, you can still see the apse covered with a six-ribbed vault.

At the highest part of the hill you now find a lighthouse where in medieval times there was a small castle with a tower.

Statue of Ava Gardner in Tossa de Mar

As a curiosity, you will find a bronze statue dedicated to Ava Gardner, famous cinematographic myth that in 1950, together with james mason, they starred in Tossa de Mar film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.

Map: how to get to Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is located a little less than hour and a half north of Barcelona, from where it is best to get there via the AP-7 highway instead of the coastal road, and you can also arrive from Girona in three quarters of an hour towards the south.

Photos of Tossa de Mar

Here you have more photos of Tossa de Mar and its old medieval fortified enclosure.