Tossa De Mar: Old Town, Coast and Culture

Tossa De Mar combines a fortified medieval old town with a varied coastline and trails through the surrounding area. The town’s history also has several facets: its Roman past, historic houses and a fishing quarter sit alongside traditions that are still observed annually. When planning your stay, you can consider whether you want to focus mainly on architectural history, local culture, coastal landscapes or hiking.

Vila Vella and historic buildings

The fortified Vila Vella is Tossa’s old town and the only preserved fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast. It was designated a historic-artistic monument in 1931. Visitors interested in the town’s historic character will also find individual buildings with very different stories. Casa Sans was commissioned by Joan Sans from architect Antoni de Falguera in 1906. Its sea-facing façade features modernist gargoyles representing the four seasons.

Sa Roqueta tells another chapter in the town’s history: the traditional fishing quarter arose in the 16th century, when Tossa expanded beyond its walls. The Capella dels Socors is said to have been built in 1593 by Antoni Caixa as a votive offering to the sea after he survived a shipwreck. Both places speak not only to individual architectural styles, but also to Tossa’s development and maritime history.

The Roman villa Els Ametllers dates from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD and was one of the most important villas in the ancient Roman province of Tarraco. The Museu de la Dona offers a different historical perspective. It is housed in Can Ganga, a fortified house dating from the 16th century, and explains what life in Tossa was like before tourism began, through the roles women played in fishing, household work and agriculture.

Local culture and traditions

The Centre d’Estudis Tossencs organizes book presentations, talks, study days and other activities about Tossa’s history, culture and heritage. There are also traditions observed on set dates each year. Pare Pelegrí is celebrated every year on January 20: the pilgrim walks to the chapel of Sant Sebastià in Santa Coloma de Farners and returns to Tossa the following day. Toquen a córrer, ses nou sardanes is a traditional local dance performed every year on July 2. If you want to plan your trip around one of these traditions, take the relevant date into account.

The local cuisine also reflects the town’s fishing history. Cim i tomba is a traditional dish of Tossa’s fishermen, prepared by generations of sailors. Today, this local specialty appears on restaurant menus in the Vila. The dish adds a culinary dimension to the town’s maritime tradition.

Coast and hiking trails

The coast of Tossa alternates between cliffs and rocky stretches, and small beaches and coves. There are several hiking options in the surrounding area, each with a different focus. The long-distance GR 92 trail crosses the municipality from north to south and forms the backbone of five suggested routes. Some of these also follow other marked footpaths. Check the trail markings and conditions locally before setting out.

One circular route goes around the Montllor mountains to Puig de ses Cadiretes, which stands 519 metres high and is considered the highest peak in the Massís d’Ardenya Cadiretes. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and Mediterranean forest. Another hike leads to Pola Cove: it is classified as easy, is 6.6 kilometres long and takes about two hours. These details give you both the distance and approximate duration for this route; for the circular hike to Puig, the summit height and views are key points to consider.

If you are looking for a hotel in Tossa De Mar, you can start by choosing your destination based on what you want to shape your stay: medieval buildings and local history, annual traditions, coastal landscapes or hikes. The specific trail details can help you assess different types of outings. For the GR 92 and the marked footpaths, checking local conditions is part of preparing for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Navata, Beuda, Cassà De La Selva, Albanyà, Alp, Susqueda, Borrassà, Palau Saverdera.

For the main travel overview: Girona.