Introduction of Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is one of the most famous and photographed towns on the Costa Brava. One of the main reasons for the city’s interest is the large ancient walled garden, which was declared a National Historic-Artic Monument. The village is isolated from neighboring villages due to the mountainous terrain.
As a result, its landscape is determined by cliffs, small coves and many parts of beautiful nature. This setting is a good place to do cultural tours and visits of the medieval center in the Roman town of Les Ametllers, or an active tour with sports and routes on foot or by and a bicycle.
History of Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar may be small, but it has an interesting history. Although there is evidence of settlement in this area since the Neolithic period, the first mention of Tossa appeared only several centuries later. In the 12th century, a small town called Vila Vella began to grow around the castle of Tossa.
When the population of the city began to increase, they began to build walls and towers to protect themselves from robbers and other invaders. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the population grew and began to spread outside the fortified city. At that time, the inhabitants were fishermen and farmers. Over the years, as the local industry began to develop, residents of the city began to migrate in search of work in other parts of Catalonia.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, as the population migrated, artists and intellectuals began to emerge, from which the charm of Tossa de Mar. The city remained largely unchanged until the 1950s, when the movies Pandora and the Flying Dutchman made it famous.
How to reach Tossa de Mar
Closest Airport
The nearest airport to Tossa de Mar is in Girona (Girona, GRO airport) which is 41 km away from many charter and low cost airlines as well as scheduled flights. The transfer time by car or bus is about 43 minutes. The closest airport to Tossa de Mar is Barcelona International Airport (airport code BCN) which is 103 km away with a transfer time of 1 hour and 34 minutes.
The last option could be Reus airport where budget airlines like Ryanair fly. However, this is 200km and a 2 hour 12 minute drive.
Shuttle transfer
If you’re flying into Girona, you can still get a car transfer with ShuttleDirect for just £8 pp one way or pay £22 for a private car transfer per person per way with driver vehicles and road works. car service
On the other hand, there is a public bus service operated by the Sagales company from the airport to the cities and resorts on the Costa Brava.
Car rental
Renting a car makes sense if you plan to do sightseeing and day trips around the Costa Brava. A week’s car hire costs £80 for a small car. It might make sense to pick up an economy car for a bit more (£85) or even a compact for £95. You will have more legroom and the possibility to definitely put all your weight if there are four of you.
Things to see and do in Tossa de Mar
Can Magi Tower
In the 16th century, Philip II built a fort at an important location along the coast of Spain to protect against pirates in North Africa. If the attackers are detected, lights are lit to send a warning that is sent from tower to tower. The three-story Can Magí Tower (Torre de Can Magí, also known as Torre des Moros) is a short walk from Vila Vella.
Statue of Ava Gardner
What is the statue of Hollywood history doing in a resort in Spain? The show is on celluloid and is based on the 1951 film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman. The famous actress Ava Gardner, married at the time to Frank Sinatra, worked on the title with James Mason. During the filming, he used his way down to earth to conquer the villagers. His love affair with Spain was equally interesting, and he lived for a time in Madrid.
The death of this star of the big screen is inevitable. In 1998 the city authorities erected a bronze statue of the Girona artist Ció Abelli. Today, the statue of the actor who plays the role of the director in the old town that looks out over the bay.
City Museum
The small museum of the town of Tossa is located in the walled town of Vila Vella. The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the history of the archaeological site of Els Ametllers and includes mosaics found in the villa. The museum also has an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures by artists born in the area or who live in the city.
The ruins of the church of Sant Vicenç
Built in medieval times on the site of an old Romanesque church, this example of Gothic architecture would have been an architectural masterpiece. Now it is a ruin, it has a port, a sacristy to the east and a transept to the west. The walls and ceilings of the building continue to give visitors today an idea of what it might have been like.
But unless you’re a fan of religious architecture, the main reason you’re here is for the views. From the 50-meter high rock on which the church stands, visitors look at the city and the sea.
