How To Spend 3 Days In Tossa De Mar: The Perfect Family Itinerary

Imagine medieval walls rising above turquoise water, pine-covered cliffs hiding secret coves and cobbled streets draped with wisteria and fluttering washing lines. That’s exactly what we found during our family trip to Tossa de Mar, one of the most beautiful corners of the Costa Brava.

If you’re wondering how to spend 3 days in Tossa de Mar, this itinerary covers the perfect mix of beaches, coastal walks, history, family adventures and excellent food.

We originally came here after three busy days in Barcelona, looking for a relaxing beach escape before flying home. Instead, we discovered one of our favourite coastal destinations in Europe.

Unlike some Mediterranean resorts, Tossa has managed to retain its local feel. There are no towering hotel blocks, endless chain restaurants or noisy nightlife districts. Instead, you’ll find medieval walls, cobbled lanes, pine-covered cliffs, hidden coves and small family-run restaurants serving excellent seafood.

What we loved most was the combination of nature and culture. One morning we were exploring a fortified medieval town, that afternoon swimming in crystal-clear water and the next day driving through the mountains above the coast on a local 4×4 tour.

If you only have three days, this itinerary combines the very best of Tossa de Mar, including the historic old town, spectacular coastline and the surprisingly beautiful mountains behind the resort.

Why 3 Days Is Perfect For Tossa De Mar

While you could visit Tossa de Mar as a day trip from Barcelona, we think staying longer is well worth it.

For most visitors, 3 days in Tossa de Mar is the perfect amount of time to experience the beaches, old town, coastal walks and mountain scenery without feeling rushed.

• Explore Vila Vella properly
• Relax or enjoy watersports on several gorgeous beaches
• Experience the famous coastal walks
• Discover local history and culture in the mountains above town
• Enjoy the atmosphere after day visitors leave
• Experience some of the best food in town

If you have four or five days, even better. But if you’re working with limited time, this itinerary covers the highlights without feeling rushed.

Day 1: Explore Vila Vella And Enjoy A Relaxed Beach Afternoon

After arriving in Tossa de Mar, spend your first day getting to know the town itself.

One of the things we loved most about Tossa was just wandering through the streets. We found ourselves following stone steps and archways, discovering hidden courtyards draped with wisteria and stumbling across viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean, which was a very enjoyable way to spend a morning.

Morning: Explore Vila Vella

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Start your visit in Vila Vella, the medieval walled old town that makes Tossa de Mar so unique.

The fortified walls date from the 14th century and remain remarkably intact. Climb the stone pathways between the towers, stop at the viewpoints and enjoy the spectacular views across the coastline.

Don’t miss:

• The old town walls
• Tossa Lighthouse
• The ruins of the Church of Sant Vicenç
• The Ava Gardner statue
• The famous Devil’s Hole leading to Platja d’es Codolar

One of our favourite viewpoints in the entire Costa Brava was from the walls looking through stone archways across the beach and town.

Lunch In The Old Town

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants throughout the old town where you can stop for lunch.

We recommend allowing extra time here to wander slowly through the cobbled streets and soak up the atmosphere.

Afternoon: Relax At The Beach

For your first afternoon, keep things simple and enjoy one of Tossa’s beaches.

If you want convenience, head to Platja Gran, the main beach directly beneath the old town walls.

If you prefer somewhere smaller and more atmospheric, walk through the Devil’s Hole and spend time at Platja d’es Codolar, the tiny beach that became one of our favourites. Surrounded by cliffs and tucked beneath the medieval walls, it feels far removed from the busier main beach.

Dinner At Restaurant Santa Marta Grup El Xiringuito

For dinner, book a table at Restaurant Santa Marta Grup El Xiringuito, our favourite restaurant in Tossa de Mar.

The service was warm and welcoming, the atmosphere relaxed and the food delicious. Even travelling with three children, we found plenty of options to keep everyone happy.

The standout dish for us was the lobster paella, which was surprisingly affordable. The owner kindly showed us how to eat the lobster when he saw our confused faces, as it was our first time trying it.

If you’re visiting in summer, definitely book ahead.

Evening Stroll Through Vila Vella

After dinner, take one final walk through the old town. As the crowds disappear and the walls begin to glow under the evening lights, Vila Vella is truly magical.

Day 2: Explore The Mountains And Enjoy Watersports

Many visitors never venture beyond the beaches, which in our view is a huge mistake.

Our favourite experience was booked on a whim – a 4×4 tour of the mountainous landscape behind Tossa de Mar’s coastline. The scenery completely changed our perception of the area and showed us a side of Costa Brava that many visitors never experience.

Morning: Join The Tossa 4×4 Mountain Tour

Without question, this was one of the highlights of our trip.

The Tossa Tour 4×4 Experience takes you into the mountains surrounding Tossa de Mar, revealing incredible viewpoints, fascinating local history and landscapes that feel completely different from the coast.

The tours are run by local guides and provide fascinating insight into the region’s history, cork industry and natural environment. Our entire family were kept engaged throughout by our guide Antonio’s tales of pirates, resistance and pilgrims.

Highlights include:

• Sant Grau d’Ardenya
• Panoramic coastal viewpoints
• Cadiretes Natural Park
• Local history and culture

For families, this is an excellent activity and offers a welcome break from the beach and a way to really connect with the area.

You can check the availability of the excellent ‘Tossa Tour‘ here.

Lunch Back In Town

Return to Tossa and enjoy a relaxed lunch near the seafront before spending the afternoon by the water.

Afternoon: Watersports At Platja De La Mar Menuda

Head to Platja de la Mar Menuda for the afternoon, our favourite beach in town for swimming and snorkelling.

The water here is exceptionally clear and it’s a popular location for snorkelling, paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking and diving.

During our Easter visit, some seasonal operators had not yet started running, but during late spring and summer you should find plenty of options available.

If you’re travelling outside peak season, don’t make our mistake and bring your own snorkel gear.

Dinner At Pizzeria Anna

After an active afternoon, enjoy a relaxed family dinner at Pizzeria Anna.

The atmosphere is friendly, prices are reasonable and the pizzas are excellent.

This is a particularly good choice if you’re travelling with children and want something simple after a busy day.

Evening Along The Seafront

Finish the day with a stroll along the promenade and enjoy views back towards the illuminated walls of Vila Vella and perhaps an ice cream stop.

Day 3: Explore The Coastline To Cala Giverola

The final day of your Tossa de Mar itinerary focuses on what may be the most beautiful part of the entire region.

The coastline south of Tossa de Mar is absolutely spectacular, with hidden coves, pine-covered cliffs and some of the clearest water we encountered anywhere on the Costa Brava. Today you will explore the coastline by both water and land.

Morning: SUP Tour Or Boat To Cala Giverola

If conditions allow, join a guided SUP tour and explore the coastline from the water. This is one activity we wish had been running during our Easter visit.

Alternatively, take the Fondo Cristal glass-bottom boat from Tossa de Mar to Cala Giverola. This boat runs much earlier in the season and is exactly what we did for a fantastic day trip on the Costa Brava.

The boat passes sea caves, hidden coves and rocky headlands as it travels along the coast to Cala Giverola. The kids loved spotting fish through the glass-bottom viewing area.

You can book a return trip or do as we did and book one way, walking back along the Camí De Ronda coast path.

Explore Cala Giverola

Walk The Camí De Ronda Back To Tossa

Rather than returning by boat, follow the Camí de Ronda coastal path back to Tossa. We walked this route easily with our three school age children.

The route is around 5km and there are multiple coves and beaches to stop at as you follow the waymarked path.

• Cala Pola – a small but very pretty beach with facilities at the nearby campsite.
• Cala Bona – a rocky inlet perfect for snorkelling.
• Dramatic cliff viewpoints surrounded by fragrant Mediterranean plants.
• Pine and cork forests providing welcome shade along much of the route.

The section looking back towards Tossa de Mar is particularly beautiful and offers one of the best viewpoints in the region.

Our hidden gem along this route was Cala Bona, which had some of the clearest snorkelling water we found anywhere.

Wear decent shoes with grip as some sections can be steep and uneven and we found the gravel surface quite slippery.

Evening Drinks And Dinner In Vila Vella

For your final evening, return to Vila Vella.

Find a terrace for drinks (try the Vila Vella Terazza Bar with regular live music), enjoy a leisurely dinner and take time to appreciate the atmosphere that makes Tossa de Mar so special.

As darkness falls, the illuminated walls create a magical backdrop. The cobbled streets become quieter and tiny courtyards glow beneath climbing plants and lanterns.

Final Thoughts On Spending 3 Days In Tossa De Mar

Tossa de Mar exceeded every expectation we had. We arrived expecting a pleasant beach resort near Barcelona and left having discovered one of our favourite coastal destinations in Spain.

We spent our days exploring medieval walls rising above hidden coves, walking through pine-covered hills, snorkelling in crystal-clear water and discovering a little more of Catalan culture along the way.

For families and couples looking for a peaceful beach escape within easy reach of Barcelona, we genuinely think Tossa de Mar is one of the best destinations in Spain.

Three days is enough to experience the highlights, but don’t be surprised if, like us, you leave already planning a return trip to the Costa Brava.