Day Trip to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona: Complete Guide

A day trip to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona is one of my favorite coastal escapes near the city, with beautiful beaches, a charming old town, and a medieval castle right by the sea.

I live in Barcelona and have been to Tossa de Mar myself, and it’s an easy, worthwhile getaway along the Costa Brava.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about taking a day trip to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona, including how to get there, the best things to do, and tips to make the most of your visit.

Tossa de Mar is definitely worth visiting, and it’s one of my top recommendations for day trips from Barcelona.

It’s one of the most beautiful towns along the Costa Brava and what makes it so special is the medieval castle that sits rights above the sea.

You can wander through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, and many of the shops, restaurants, and bars are enclosed within the old castle walls.

You’ve also got a great main beach right in town plus smaller coves nearby if you want something quieter for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking.

Plus, it’s easy to get there on your own or you can book a guided tour if you’re looking for a hassle-free experience.

If you have a rental car, the easiest way to get to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona is by driving. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there and is a fairly easy drive.

There are some winding roads but it’s not too difficult to navigate. Once you arrive, parking is available in the downtown area.

If you don’t have a car, the best way to get to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona is by taking the Moventis bus from the Barcelona Estació del Nord station.

This is personally what I did–it’s a very comfortable bus and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes each way.

Tickets can be purchased on the Moventis website or on Omio.

The departing station is Barcelona, Estació d’Autobusos Nord and the arrival station is Tossa de Mar, Estación de Autobuses.

Make sure to select the one leaving from “Barcelona, Estació d’Autobusos Nord” as there are some buses leaving from Barcelona airport.

Tickets cost around 13-15€ each way and it’s a direct bus to Tossa de Mar. I’d recommend purchasing a round-trip ticket because the return buses fill up quickly.

Once you arrive to Tossa de Mar, it’s only about a 10-minute walk from the bus station to the beach and town center.

If you’d rather not deal with transportation logistics, there are also several Costa Brava day trips from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar that you can book.

These tours typically include transportation and a guided tour of the town, which makes it a convenient option if you prefer a more organized experience.

Here are some of the top-rated Tossa de Mar tours from Barcelona:

• Costa Brava Day Trip with Boat Trip from Barcelona
• Tossa de Mar: Kayak & Snorkel Tour with Paella from Barcelona
• Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar Private Tour, Hotel Pick-Up & Boat Ride

By far, the highlight of visiting Tossa de Mar is exploring the iconic Tossa de Mar Castle.

This medieval fortress is one of the best castles near Barcelona and is situated on a hilltop overlooking the town and sea.

And what’s cool is that the Old Town is enclosed within the castle walls so you’ll be strolling through charming restaurants, bars, and shops while exploring the castle grounds.

There’s even a bar at the top of the castle called Mare Meva where you can enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in a panoramic view of the area.

The charming streets of Tossa de Mar’s Old Town (Vila Vella) are a must-see. It’s kind of an uphill climb but it’s worth it for the picturesque views!

Take your time strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets where you can see architecture from the middle ages, alongside quaint shops and restaurants.

You can stop for a coffee, drink, or a sit-down meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants in the Old Town.

Tossa de Mar has a few different beaches to choose from depending on what you’re looking for.

Platja Gran (Playa Grande) is the main beach, located right next to the Old Town and has lounge beds and umbrellas for rent, as well as water sports and activities.

For a more secluded and quieter experience, head to Platja del Codolar. This is a secluded cove on the other side of the castle and you can get to it by climbing through a small hole in the stone walls!

We were planning to go here but unfortunately it started raining pretty hard so we didn’t get to spend too much time at the beach.

Being a coastal town, Tossa de Mar is known for its delicious seafood. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in some freshly caught and cooked seafood at one of the many local restaurants in town.

We had lunch at Restaurant La Placeta, which is right inside the castle walls. I ordered a fideua paella, which is one of the most famous Catalan foods to try.

It’s basically like paella but with short noodles instead of rice and it was really delicious! No matter which spot you choose, you can’t go wrong with seafood in Tossa de Mar.

Next to the beach at the base of the castle, you’ll find the town center of Tossa de Mar. Here, you can shop for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home with you.

This area is a bit more touristy but there are still some cute shops to peruse for souvenirs.

I really liked Lamare Shop–they sell colorful posters, jewelry, and accessories with a unique twist.

If you’re up for a water adventure, Tossa de Mar also offers opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, or even taking a glass bottom boat ride to discover the marine life in the area.

You can book tours at one of the many water sports companies located on the main beach.

It’s a great way to get out on the water and experience the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try hiking along the Camí de Ronda, which is a beautiful coastal trail that runs along the Costa Brava, including Tossa de Mar.

The trails along the rocky cliffs will take you to beautiful coves and beaches where you can discover some secrets spots of Costa Brava.

Plus, you’ll be rewarded with a swim in the hidden coves.

There’s a ton of cute restaurants in Tossa de Mar so it won’t be hard to find a nice place to eat.

I’d recommend choosing a place in the Old Town as the restaurants along the beach were a bit more touristy.

Here are a few recommendations of where to eat in Tossa de Mar:

• La Placeta: I had lunch at this upscale Mediterranean restaurant right inside the castle walls and it was really delicious! I ordered the mixed fideua paella, which was excellent. The paellas are made for one person, however there is plenty for two!

• Restaurant Santa Marta: This is another top-rated Mediterranean restaurant with grilled seafood and paella dishes. It has a nice ambiance with rustic decor and wood-beamed ceilings.

• Portal Restaurant: This is a Spanish restaurant serving traditional tapas with a twist. Try to get a table on the second level terrace overlooking the town.

• Can Gol: This is a cute Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant inside the Old Town. I had some sangria and dessert here. While I didn’t love the sangria, the cheesecake and crema Catalana were delicious!

• Mare Meva: Situated on the top of the castle, this bar has some amazing views and is a great place to take a break and grab a drink while walking around.

The best time to visit Tossa de Mar is from late spring through early fall.

June to August has the warmest weather and is perfect for beach days, but it’s also the busiest time of year.

If you want fewer crowds, May and September are great options. The weather is still nice, and it feels a lot more relaxed overall.

Winter is much quieter, but it can be chilly and a lot of places close for the season.

If you want everything open and the best overall experience, aim for May through September.

If you’re coming from Barcelona, I’d recommend leaving as early as possible so you can have a full day to experience Tossa de Mar.

I left Barcelona on the bus around 9:45AM and returned on the bus at 5:40PM. This will give you plenty of time to walk around, have lunch, and spend some time at the beach.

Follow these tips to make the most of your Barcelona day trip to Tossa de Mar:

• Book round-trip bus tickets: The return buses from Tossa de Mar to Barcelona fill up quickly so I’d definitely recommend purchasing round-trip tickets. That way you won’t get stuck in Tossa de Mar.

• Bring sunscreen and bug spray: It can get really hot and sunny when walking around Tossa de Mar so bring some sunscreen to avoid a sunburn. Also, the mosquitos were pretty pesky around the castle so bring along some bug spray as well.

• Pack an umbrella: Bring along a compact travel umbrella in case of sudden rain storms. When I was there, it started pouring down rain and I had forgotten my umbrella!

• Bring water shoes: The beaches in Tossa de Mar can be a bit rocky so bring along a pair of water shoes to keep your feet comfortable in the water.

• Don’t forget your bathing suit and beach towel: One of the best parts of visiting Tossa de Mar is being able to relax on the beach. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and a lightweight travel towel so you can soak up some sun and take a dip in the sea.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Tossa de Mar:

I hope this guide has inspired you to plan a day trip from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar.

It’s honestly one of my favorite towns in Costa Brava along the Mediterranean coast and definitely worth visiting!

The Tossa de Mar castle, beautiful beaches, and charming Old Town make for a perfect day trip destination.

Just remember to book your round-trip bus tickets in advance and pack some sunscreen, bug spray, and water shoes for a comfortable experience.

Have fun exploring Tossa de Mar!

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