Tossa de Mar. Vila Vella fortress, like a piece of history

The Spanish coast invites you to enjoy a wonderful climate, amazing cuisine, vibrant festivals and a variety of water activities in the cozy coastal city of Tossa de Mar.

How to get to Tossa de Mar

Cuisine and restaurants

Kitchen is one of the important components of an unforgettable vacation, something that can add a lot of hard coins to your collection of impressions. And Catalan cuisine is truly a gastronomic delight. You can taste fish and meat dishes with herbs and amazing sauces in restaurants scattered along the coast. Pay attention to the small but wonderful and cozy establishment – ​​“La Lluna”, which is located in the Old Town. Traditional local dishes and tapas served in this restaurant are loved not only by tourists - city residents also willingly visit this place.

At LaRocaDeTossa you will be offered not only dishes of Spanish and Catalan cuisine, but also traditional international food. If you want to have a pizza snack, the best choice would be Pizzeria Bar Lluis. A fragrant, crispy flatbread with an unimaginable choice of filling options will appeal to even the most inveterate gourmet.

Sights of Tossa de Mar

Entertainment

First of all, this is a paradise for lovers of active entertainment on the water. There is so much to this coastal city! Diving school, the opportunity to enjoy windsurfing and play volleyball on the beach, all imaginable and unimaginable types of water transport - there is something for everyone. And if you come to this city in April or September, then you can expect to take part in colorful events - local festivals, which are always colorful and enchanting.

Tossa de Mar is an amazing place in every way. Mild climate, friendly locals, colorful sights and simply unforgettable cuisine - welcome to this Spanish paradise on earth!

Tossa De Mar is located 110 km from Barcelona Airport. This is a unique place that combines natural beauty and the atmosphere of an ancient city. It is believed that it was the Costa Brava that marked the beginning of the tourism boom in Spain. The population of the city is about 5 and a half thousand people.

Europeans began to actively visit this region in the 60s of the 20th century. This is the first tourist area in Catalonia where Russian-speaking tourists began to relax. The city has about 7,000 local residents. They host more than 20 thousand guests.

Here you can see many archaeological sites. The ruins of the ancient Roman Villa date back to the 4th century BC. As a result of archaeological excavations in 1914, the remains of domestic buildings, stables, and perfectly preserved mosaic fragments were discovered.

They say there were hot springs here, which is why fragments of a bathhouse were discovered. The Romans did not heat the water; they built baths only where there were hot springs.

The road to Tossa De Mar appeared only in the 20th century. Before this, the city, surrounded by mountains, resembled an island. The main attraction of Tossa De Mar is the fortress. It rises 70 meters above sea level. This is the only fortress on the entire Catalan coast whose walls have remained virtually unchanged. She is a symbol of the city.

You can get to the highest point of the fortress by a special car from the embankment or on foot. There are beautiful views from the fortress. The 12th century fortress could defend itself from attack by invaders for several years. When pirates sailed from Mallorca to the bay of Tossa De Mar, the gates of the fortress were closed. The absolutely steep shore and rocks that were impossible to climb reliably protected the city.

On the other side, Tossa De Mar was surrounded by a fortress wall. Local residents had underground passages that allowed them to go down to the sea and catch fish, octopus or squid. They always had food. Tossa De Mar had water conservation technology. The water from the spring located in the fortress and the collected rainwater were stored in underground caves.

The fortress wall was defended by cannons. The cozy streets of the ancient city are a great place for walking. The Old Town often hosts classical music festivals.

Upon entering the old town, you can admire the Church of St. Vincent, built in the 15th century. The church building is spacious, quiet and cool. The smell of stone and the atmosphere of antiquity encourage you to get rid of unnecessary thoughts and touch eternity.

It’s nice to walk outside, enjoying medieval views, looking at the facades of buildings, plants and flowers, carefully placed by residents along the houses.

Location: Carrer Tarull - 6.

Chapel of the Virgin Mary, Savior of the Drowning

The Chapel of Our Lady, Savior of Drownings is located in the very center of Tossa. Entering it from a noisy street, you feel silence, peace and tranquility. It often features organ music.

The chapel was built by a local sailor in gratitude for his rescue from a shipwreck. In the 16th century, sailors and fishermen fervently revered the Mother of God and considered her their protector.

Location: Plaça Espanya - 1.

Romantic love story

One of the most romantic stories of Tossa De Mar is a love story Frank Sinatra And Ava Gardner. Gardner is one of Hollywood's most brilliant stars. It was here, in 1951, that she starred in the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman. Ava was so engrossed in the city that she paid little attention to Frank. He suspected that his wife was having an affair, dropped all his affairs and came to Tossa.

The worries were in vain, they both fell in love with Tossa and spent several romantic months here. In 1955, Gardner settled in Tossa De Mar permanently and lived here for 8 years. In honor of this love, there is a monument to Ava Gardner in the city center. The atmosphere of the Mediterranean resort is conducive to the development of romantic relationships. A monument to loving tourists has been erected in the city.

Location: Carrer Abat Oliba - 6.

Picturesque beaches and azure sea enhance the flavor of the Catalan resort. You can enjoy the panorama of the city from the top of the fortress. From here you can see the central Grand Beach, located at the foot, where you can sunbathe and swim with a view of the ancient fortress. From a distance it may seem that the beaches are sandy, but in fact they are small pebbles.

There are hotels and restaurants along the embankment, the facades are beautifully decorated with flowers. Near the city there are many small bays and grottoes with wild beaches, some of which are inhabited by nudists. There are paths leading to the wild beaches, along which you can take walks while enjoying the sea views.

Like all Costa Brava resorts, Tossa De Mar is located in a cozy bay. Here you can take a ride on a tourist boat. A magnificent boat trip along the Costa Brava will leave a lasting impression.

In Spanish, Costa Brava means rocky coast. Rocks and cliffs descend to the very coast, forming picturesque bays and allowing you to admire the sea views.

Artists

It’s impossible not to enjoy creativity, it’s impossible not to get inspired in these places. Secluded bays, picturesque cliffs, fortresses and castles. Artists come here for plein air. They learn to draw natural phenomena: light, sun, sea space. For them, this is a godsend for creativity.

Films are often shot in Tossa; film studios have been coming here since the 20s; in the 50s, cinema began to flourish. In the former home of the Governor of Tossa, there is a city museum where paintings by Marc Chagall are kept, including the famous “Heavenly Violinist”. Other paintings by contemporary Spanish artists are also collected here.

Location: Plaça Pintor Roig Soler - 1.

Art lovers will enjoy visiting the Salvador Dali Museum, which is located 80 kilometers from Tossa De Mar, in Figueres. This is one of the most visited museums in Spain. It was created in his hometown by Dali himself. He renovated the old theater, creating a structure in the spirit of surrealism. Dali himself painted the foyer, and placed in the museum not only his works, but also his own collection of works by Duchamp and El Greco.

Location: Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí - 5.

Sculptures

Residents of Tossa De Mar have been engaged in fishing since ancient times; the city is decorated with many sculptures with a marine theme. Here is a monument to a seagull named Jonathan Livingston(pictured above) from Richard Bach's novella, there is a monument to the fisherman's wife (Lloret de Mar, pictured below).

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Tossa was an important center for the extraction of cork, surrounded by cork plantations with good quality raw materials. It was used to seal bottles of very expensive wine. Growing vineyards and exporting wine is one of the ancient activities of the inhabitants of Catalonia. Excellent wines can be found here in any store and coastal cafe.

How to get to Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is considered both the most picturesque and northernmost resort in Catalonia. The picturesqueness of the resort is attributed to its location - Tossa de Mar is located in a cozy, quiet bay between rocky cliffs. Well, the resort is considered northern because the border with France lies further along. The northern one is very conditional, the swimming season here also lasts from June to September inclusive, in summer the temperature is moderately warm within +25, +28 degrees with little precipitation. Tossa de Mar is located 85 km north of Barcelona.

Of the ways to get to Tossa de Mar, the most relevant is a flight to Barcelona. Flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly year-round, from other large cities of Russia - in the summer. The flight from Moscow to Barcelona lasts, on average, 4.5 hours. You can check the flight schedule from your city on international search sites. Aviasales, Buruki and others.

You can get from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar in various ways - by bus, train, taxi or transfer. If you need to get from Barcelona airport to Tossa de Mar directly, use the carrier's buses Moventis Sarfa. Buses to Tossa de Mar depart every hour throughout the day, starting at 07.10 am. Travel time is 2 hours 15 minutes. Ticket price per person is 14.25 euros. You can buy tickets immediately before boarding or in advance on the carrier’s website. Departures are made from both terminals of El Prat Airport.

You can also get directly from Barcelona Airport to Tossa de Mar by taxi or transfer. Taxis are usually on duty at the exit of the airport terminal. If you do not know the city and are not familiar with local prices, then in order not to overpay taxi drivers, you can pre-book a transfer from the airport to the resort. The advantage of the transfer is also that by the time of your arrival, a car of the chosen class and a driver with a sign will already be waiting for you. Travel time will be about 1 hour 25 minutes. You can find out the latest information on transfers on transfer service booking websites. , and others.

You can also get from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar by train with a change in Blanes. To do this, you need to go to Barcelona train station Barcelona Pl. Catalunya take the R1 train to Blanes. Electric trains run every half hour throughout the day, travel time is 1.5 hours. You can find out more detailed information at the railway service . Then in Blanes, change to a local bus service Pujol , which goes directly to Tossa de Mar, the travel time will be another 40 minutes. This method is the cheapest, but also the most time-consuming.

When choosing a way to get to Tossa de Mar, you must remember that public transport only operates during the daytime. For night travel, you can only use 24-hour taxi or transfer services.

Hotels in Tossa de Mar

At the resort you can find hotels of any category of stars, but 4-star hotels in Tossa de Mar are especially popular; the price range of such hotels coincides with prices in neighboring resorts, for example, in Lloret de Mar or Blanes. 3-star hotels in Tossa de Mar are also popular due to their affordable prices. Apartments at the resort can be found in almost any price range; those options that are located further from the sea will cost less.

Delfín, 4 stars

Hotel Delfín is one of the best hotels in Tossa de Mar thanks to its location on the first line of the beach, rooftop terrace with panoramic views and hydromassage, restaurant and flowered garden. The city's main attractions are within walking distance, including the famous fortress. Free Wi-Fi is available to guests. Private parking is available nearby upon reservation.

The hotel offers rooms of varying sizes. All of them are equipped with telephone, satellite TV, safe, air conditioning, iron, hairdryer, kettle, minibar. Some rooms have a balcony. Breakfast may be included depending on room type. The hotel received the best reviews for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as for the location.

The hotel has luggage storage and a tour desk. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Florida, 3 stars

The hotel is located a short walk from the beach and 500 meters from Tossa de Mar Fortress. The hotel has a sun terrace, hydromassage, and bar. Free Wi-Fi and private paid parking are available on site upon reservation.

The hotel has rooms of varying sizes, all of them equipped with TV, telephone, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, mini-fridge. Breakfast is included in the price. The hotel received the highest ratings for its staff and location.

The hotel has luggage storage, a tour desk, and a currency exchange office. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is from 13.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

GHT Neptuno, 3 stars

Among the 3-star hotels in Tossa de Mar, this one is well located near the resort center and a 5-minute walk to the nearest beach. The hotel itself is surrounded by a garden and has a restaurant, swimming pool, and lounge area. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Private paid parking is available nearby (pre-booking required).

Hotel guests can stay in single, double or triple rooms. Each room is equipped with a safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, TV. Breakfast is included in the price. The hotel received the best ratings for the cleanliness of the rooms, location and staff.

The hotel has luggage storage, a tour desk, and a currency exchange office. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Duplex en Cala Salions, apartments

These apartments in Tossa de Mar, Spain are located opposite the beach and offer sea views. The apartment is on two levels and has 3 bedrooms. Free Wi-Fi and free public parking are provided. The apartments are equipped with a TV, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, stove, oven, toaster, coffee machine. There is a terrace, equipped with furniture. There is an additional charge for apartment cleaning for the entire stay in the amount of 70 euros.

This new accommodation option in Tossa de Mar is open for bookings from April 2017. Check-in is from 17.00, check-out is until 10.00. You can find out more about availability and cost of living in apartments for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Casa Montse, apartments

This two-storey apartment is located in a quiet, peaceful location with a swimming pool and garden. Free Wi-Fi is available to guests. In the apartment you can find a TV, iron, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, oven, stove, toaster, coffee machine, barbecue facilities. The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen. There is an additional cleaning fee of 70 euros for the entire stay.

Check-in is from 16.00, check-out is until 11.00. You can find out more about availability and cost of living in apartments for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Speed ​​Kore/Tossa de Mar

Sights of Tossa de Mar

The Tossa de Mar resort is located in a rocky bay; its very location already suggests that the main attractions of the place are natural. Firstly, this is the coastline of Tossa de Mar, represented by 14 kilometers of beaches, cliffs, grottoes and bays. It is definitely worth taking a walk along the special walking route along the Costa Brava to see all the beauties of Tossa de Mar with your own eyes, including the medieval fortress of Villa Vella, one of the main attractions of the resort. Secondly, this is the old part of the city with many preserved architectural monuments and the Sa Riera botanical garden, which can be a great place for a walk on a hot summer day.

On the outskirts of Tossa de Mar, in a picturesque rocky bay, hidden medieval fortress Villa Vella, which was built back in the 12th century. This is a kind of city within a city, it has its own roads, towers, a fortress, fortress walls and even a museum, which is considered one of the first museums in Spain dedicated to modern art. A picturesque walking road leads to the fortress, allowing you to see the beauty of the Costa Brava. It’s hard to imagine a holiday in Tossa de Mar without visiting this attraction, which is a “postcard” and the most recognizable view of the town.

Sa Riera Park located on 5 hectares of land, near the center of the resort. What can a tourist see here? On the territory of the botanical garden you can see many exotic plants, a pond with its inhabitants, centuries-old oaks and pine trees. In addition, the park is equipped with a children's playground, an indoor swimming pool, a football field, jogging tracks, fountains - everything for an active pastime.

A popular leisure activity in Tossa is visiting neighboring, larger cities, such as Barcelona or Girona. Also popular are such destinations as the Port Aventura amusement park, the mountain and monastery of Montserrat, the south of France and others. You can get there on your own or with a group bus tour. The list of group excursions from Tossa de Mar can be studied and ordered on the service Tezeks.com(from tour operator TEZ TOUR).

Beaches of Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is famous for its beaches. In addition to traditional beach holidays, tourists can go diving, spearfishing, and snorkeling. For this purpose, the resort even operates special schools that teach underwater sports. The beaches in Tossa de Mar can be either sandy or pebbly, depending on the proximity to the rocky bay.

The most popular and sought-after beaches in Tossa de Mar are Gran Beach, which is equipped with everything you need, including sun loungers, sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, showers, bars and open-air cafes. The resort also has several unequipped secluded beaches, such as Reig and Mar Menuda. These beaches are more suitable for a relaxing beach holiday, the first is sandy, the second is pebble. The best place to go for scuba diving is at Es Codolar Beach.

You can learn more about the beaches and resorts of Catalonia, interesting routes and places, as well as useful life hacks when preparing for a trip to Spain, in a separate guide to .

We will be happy to answer your questions in the comments!

When going on a trip to Spain, do not forget to take out a travel insurance policy, which is mandatory already at the stage of obtaining a tourist visa. You can take out insurance yourself without leaving your home. There are special services for this, such as , and others. You can purchase a policy online and then print it on a regular printer.

Photo at the beginning of the article: Alex Alishevskikh

This time we are exploring the city of Tossa de Mar (Spain). The sights of this place will surprise even the most seasoned tourists.

Vila Vella Fortress

It was built about 1000 years ago, and is almost the oldest building in the country. Throughout its existence, the fortress has been under the care of the church, protecting the monastery from worldly vanity. The fact is that the part of the town where Vila Vella is located belonged to the church in 1989 and was a place of pilgrimage. In the Middle Ages, walls served as protection from pirate attacks. Since those times, a lot of events have passed and time has passed, the castle has turned into ruins.

Two centuries after the construction of Vila Vella, a reconstruction took place that returned the fortress to its original appearance. But she is far from the last. The territory of Vila Vella is surrounded by ramparts. Four large and three small round towers are located behind the wall. The art museum is located in one of them.

Ava Gardner statue

The statue of the famous Hollywood actress Ava Gardner is another place for a tourist trip. She, along with Mario Cabret, played the main role in the melodrama “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman,” which was filmed here. Soon the actor fell in love with the film star, and her husband, Frank Sinatra, came to the city, but was late, since the girl herself fell in love, but not with Mario, but with the city of Tossa de Mar itself. This was the main reason for the erection of a bronze statue of Ava Gardner in 1992.

The image of the statue is taken from the already mentioned film - dressed in a luxurious evening dress, the girl admires the endless expanses of the Mediterranean Sea.

Church of Saint Vincent

The Church of St. Vincent, which was built in 1755, is made in the neoclassical style. It appeared on the site of a temple that was destroyed in the 15th century because it was too small for the parishioners who constantly visited it.

Partial elements of the interior decoration disappeared during the Civil War, but after restoration the church was restored to its original appearance and the wall paintings were restored. Statues of saints decorate the main entrance to the temple and the beautiful altar; in the church itself there are benches in two rows.

A copy of the Black Madonna is the main asset of the Church of St. Vincent. Near the church there is also a small chapel, inside of which there are many candles.

Tower of Vassal's Oath

Probably, the Tower of the Vassal Oath in Tossa de Mar is one of the leading attractions of the city. It was the stone walls of the tower that made it famous. It is located near the bay. A small commercial port is located right there. The stone silently reminds of the former greatness of the formidable defenders of the city.

Monument to Generations

The monument to generations is located on the Mediterranean coast. The idea of ​​the creator of the sculpture is that the old man passes on his accumulated experience to his little grandson. This is probably why some people think that this is a kind of family idyll. The touching composition penetrates the hearts of even the strongest cynics.

Monument to a lonely girl

In Tossa de Mar there is another small sculpture that captivates tourists with its gloominess. The monument to a lonely girl is an original composition. It depicts a little girl holding a basket in her hands. It stands near the walls of the Vila Vella castle-fortress.

At night, the composition looks a little scary, because when wandering the streets, you wouldn’t expect to see a gloomy childish figure with his head down. The creator wanted to touch the feelings of parents who leave their children alone or do not pay attention to them, so that they feel how lonely and scared their children are.

Sculpture “Love of two octopuses”

The original futuristic sculpture “The Love of Two Octopuses” fits perfectly into the architecture of the small square, which is located near the Central Tourism Office.

This original sculpture can be found while traveling along one of the roads, or rather, in the area where they intersect, on Lloret Street. The sculpture resembles a cube with the bodies and tentacles of octopuses intertwined in it.

Chapel of San Miguel

Near the station in Tossa de Mar there is a small chapel of San Miguel. It is located right next to the old hospital for the poor, built in 1773. Now she plays the role of the local House of Culture. The chapel was erected at the same time as the hospital and for a long period of time it was the hospital church.

The chapel was named after the famous saint in Spain - Miguel. It stands out from ordinary churches due to its strongly pronounced transition from the Romantic to the Gothic style.

The horseshoe arch, which is the right side entrance, attracts attention, and the left arch is made in the usual Gothic style. Inside, the church has a small dome and an unusual altar, made in the Baroque style with a portrait of St. Miguel.

Tim and Kath Jewelery Store

The small store “Tim and Kath Jewelry” is owned by a couple who are in love with their business and with each other. It is located on Carrer la Guardia and is a successful creative project of Belgian designers.

In this tiny boutique, jewelers who draw inspiration from the beauty of the coast create beautiful jewelry from silver and precious stones. In the store you can buy various bags, bracelets, pendants and necklaces made by the hands of craftsmen, and if you don’t like anything, you can order exclusive wedding rings.

Codolar Beach

Codolar Beach is one of the largest beaches located close to the center of the town. Before the beach began to be used by tourists and was developed, it was a place where fishermen's boats spent the winter. By the way, they still exist today.

The sand of the beach is mixed with sea pebbles, which are polished by sea water and time. Kodolar is surrounded by rocks that block the wind, and the calm waters are always popular with divers and swimmers. Here you can spot dolphins swimming just a hundred meters from the shore.

Now you know what Tossa de Mar (Spain) conceals. The city's attractions are always open to you, and you can go there right now.

A complete holiday for the whole family is Gran Beach in Tossa de Mar. The beach is not very large; on one side it is bordered by a rugged rocky section of the coast, on the other by the medieval fortified town of Vila Vella. In the Middle Ages, the castle was intended to protect against pirates. Tourists enjoy going on excursions around the fortress. The castle is surrounded by high walls and seven crenellated towers, which have remained almost untouched since their construction.

While walking along the promenade along the beach, you can also see several art monuments: a statue of Minerva, a sculpture of Bonavenur Anson and a memorial stone dedicated to the Catalan writer Jacinta Verdaier.

Statue of Ava Gardner

The Ava Gardner statue is a monument to the Hollywood actress who played the main role in the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.

The bronze sculpture, installed in 1992, is located near the ancient fortress above the Tossa de Mar promenade. About 2 meters tall, she is an elegant Gardner, dressed in a long, light dress, her gaze fixed on the blue distance.

The sculpture was installed here for a reason. It was in this place that the detective melodrama took place. The actress, in love with the quiet beaches, lived in this country for another 8 years after filming the film.

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Vila Vella Fortress

The Vila Vella fortress, which is almost 1000 years old, is one of the most ancient attractions in the country.

The fortress was built in order to protect the monastery from worldly vanity. The fact is that in 1186 part of the city was in the possession of the monastery, which was a kind of Mecca for pilgrims who came here from all over the world. In the Middle Ages, its walls protected it from attacks by pirates, so the fortress was restored more than once.

The territory of the fortress is surrounded by ramparts, and behind its wall there are seven towers of different sizes. One of them houses the city museum with works of famous artists such as Chagall, Monet and others.

The Church of St. Vincent, built in 1755 in the neoclassical style, is considered one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the city.

The church was erected on the site of a temple that was built here in the 15th century. The reason for this was the large number of parishioners for whom the former church had become cramped. After the Civil War, some elements of the interior decoration of the church disappeared, but restorers were able to give the temple its former splendor by recreating the wall paintings inside. The entrance to the temple and its altar are decorated with sculptures of saints. Inside there are wooden benches in two rows.

Its main attraction is an exact copy of the Black Madonna from Montserrat. You can also visit the small chapel filled with many candles, or come to the temple on the weekend to attend one of the masses.

Tossa De Mar Beach

The beaches in Tossa de Mar are all municipal, the hotels are located in the depths of the town and do not have their own territory on the beach, it is very convenient, you can walk freely along the entire coastal strip

A gun

In the old fortress on the mountain of the city, a cannon has been preserved to this day, it was used to fire at the Turks and Roman legionnaires besieging the fortress walls, the cannon was completely rusty, an open-air museum, entrance to the fortress is free!!!

The most popular attractions in Tossa de Mar with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Tossa de Mar on our website.