Girona is home to this impressive fishing village on the Costa Brava, which has nothing to envy of Dubrovnik and the coasts of Croatia. Its vestiges are a journey through time that takes us from ancient Rome to the Middle Ages, becoming an oasis from the past with walls, castles and alleys overlooking the Mediterranean. Welcome to Tossa de Mar, the intact medieval fishing village that makes Spain proud.
What to see in Tossa de Mar, Girona
Vila Vella
Tossa de Mar is much more than a summer destination, although its beach is a delight with calm waters, fine sand and eternal views of the Mediterranean. This town allows you to travel back in time thanks to its Villa del Ametllers, a Roman site with thermal baths, mosaics and several rooms that can still be visited. From Hispania we move on to medieval times with Vila Vella, a 13th century enclosure of towers and walls built on a cliff over the bay. Inside it hides alleys, mansions and the ruins of the old castle.
Villa del Ametllers
Walking through the cobbled alleys we can go up to the Tossa Lighthouse, which has the best views of the town. And the magic continues outside the medieval walls, in the famous fishing neighborhood of sa Roqueta, with a maritime façade on the beach. There you can discover the church of San Vicente, a beautiful 18th century neoclassical temple.
Sa Roqueta fishing district
Other obligatory and beautiful stops are the House of Culture, located in an old hospital and with a beautiful cloister inside. We can also pass by Casa Sans and marvel at its maritime façade full of mosaics and gargoyles; or by the Municipal Museum, the first of contemporary art in all of Spain.
A medieval town that invites you to take a leisurely walk, but without losing sight of the beach. Tossa de Mar is surrounded by coves and cliffs, but the town itself has its urban beaches: Platja Gran and Mar Menuda, both with a blue flag and protected by the walls above, very reminiscent of the epic landscape of Dubrovnik that gave life to King's Landing in 'Game of Thrones'.
Where to eat cheap and delicious in Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is very popular and has many inhabitants, which has caused the restaurant offer to skyrocket. However, there are still traditional places where you can enjoy typical cuisine, such as cim i tomba or squid stuffed with meatballs. Can Sophia, La Roca de Tossa or Restaurante Víctor are some of them.
What to do around Tossa de Mar
Cala Giverola
Near Tossa de Mar there are some charming coves, such as Cala Salions, Cala Futadera, Cala Giverola, Cala Pola, Cala Bona, Cala Levantó, Cala d'en Carlos, Cala Figuera, Playa de Llevant, Playa de Garbí and Cala Morisca. All of them can be reached by hiking or by car.
Sanctuary of Sant Grau
In addition, there are 15 kilometer walks through the Cadiretes massif and the Sa Riera Park, crossing forests of holm oaks, pines and cork oaks until reaching the Sant Grau Sanctuary, in a neo-Gothic style and hidden in the middle of the mountain.
Let Croatia stand aside, because what a plan Tossa de Mar is.
