One Day in Tossa De Mar – Catalonia’s Hidden Jewel

Last week we visited Tossa De Mar – the charming city, located in a cozy bay in the province of Girona (Catalonia). Dreamers and romantics adore this place! And not only because of the surrounding beauty. The climate is moderately warm and the average summer temperature is 30 ° C, but you can always escape from the heat by visiting the impressive local bays. The most famous beach is located almost in the very center of the city, its length is 385 meters – there is enough space for everyone! But do not hesitate to discover something new – take a walk in the remote bays hidden from the eyes. You will be surprised!

There are plenty of cute shops, cafes, restaurants – everything that you might possibly need during your vacation.

Villa Vella

Fortress Villa Vella is a symbol of Tossa de Mar. If you close your eyes and think about it, the first thing that comes to mind is an impressive castle, built to protect against pirates.

Villa Vella is surrounded by ramparts, and behind the wall there are four large and three small round towers. Walls protected the old city and its inhabitants. Now you can see a small passage to the bay where fishermen left their boats after long hours of fishing. They call it “the passage of the devil”.

The beaches

The beaches of Tossa de Mar are considered among the best in all of Spain. Pristine clear water and golden sand. There are beaches of a more urban type with all kinds of services, others are hidden from view, but they offer peace and tranquility.

The crystal clear waters and the incredible underwater world make Tossa de Mar a paradise for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, so do not miss it. If you want to try out a new kind of water sports or just enjoy the excellent weather, sun and the beach – Tossa de Mar offers options for every taste. And what can be compared with living in a villa on the beach of Tossa de Mar?

What to see

One of the main attractions of Tossa de Mar is the impressive medieval wall of the city, built in the XII-XIII centuries. We recommend taking a walk along its perimeter when the sun begins to set, as you will enjoy spectacular views of the sunset and the coast. It consists of four gun and three watch towers, the main of which is Torre d’en Jonàs, towering above the bay.

At the highest point of the wall is Far de Tossa, the lighthouse of Tossa de Mar, exactly at the place where there was once a castle that served as a watch tower. This place is worth a visit: there is a museum nearby (Centro de Interpretació dels Fars de la Mediterrània), which will tell you all the smallest details about the lighthouses illuminating the Mediterranean Sea.

Rumba Catalana International Festival

In June, there is a music festival that has been held here for several years, focused on the typical Catalan genre of music – rumba. Since its appearance in the 60s, thanks to its cheerful rhythms and brilliant lyrics, Catalan rumba has become one of the most famous genres of Catalonia. At this festival, you will have a great opportunity to listen to the best Catalan bands, while enjoying your vacation on the beach.

Tossa de Mar is the perfect place to relax on the Costa Brava. A coastal fishing village with a rich heritage has become a popular tourist destination with many upscale beaches. In addition, you will find a rich nightlife, especially in the summer months, as the city has more than twenty bars and four nightclubs.

The food

The famous dish of this region is “Simitomba”. It is made from fresh fish, potatoes, parsley, garlic, salt, tomatoes, saffron, olive oil and aioli are added. A typical dish of fishermen.

September of each year passes under the banner of this dish, when an entire gastronomic campaign is carried out and several restaurants prepare this dish in their own interpretation, but with references to the traditional version.

Major Holidays

Sightseeing is always a good reason to visit a city, especially when it comes to Tossa de Mar. Nevertheless, a visit to the city during the celebration of major festivals and fiestas, is priceless.

Holidays d’Ivern (La Festa Major d’Hivern) or Sant Vicenç (fiestas de Sant Vicenç) are celebrated on January 20, and at this time festivals, fairs, traditional parades, all kinds of exhibitions are held … A holiday with more than A 600-year tradition is the “Voto del Peregrino”, a 40-kilometer pilgrimage from Tossa de Mar to Santa Colomna de Farnes, in which more than a thousand pilgrims take part.

And in June, in Tossa de Mar, summer starts with La Festa Major d’Estiu or the feast of San Pere (Fiestas de San Pere). These festivals take place during the week of June 20, and offer incredible shows, concerts, dances, children’s games and fireworks.