A guide to the beaches of Tossa de Mar

The territory known as Tossa de Mar is punctuated by a series of coves, bays and headlands and of course, the striking Cape of Tossa which envelops the spectacular Vila Villa.

Firstly, we will give you some information about the four main beaches of Tossa de Mar, then we will take a voyage along the coastline, first to the north, and then to the south, to show you all the coves and bays that come under the remit of Tossa de Mar.

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The four main beaches central to Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar’s highly established reputation is maintained by gentle enforcement of simple rules. Before you settle on the beach for the day, take a few moments to read the information boards detailing what is and isn’t allowed on Tossa’s beaches.

You’ll find that ball games of any type are not permitted and dogs are banned. Vendors are also banned, as are promoters or leaflet distributors. And children’s sunscreen tents are not allowed either. This all serves to make your day peaceful and uninterrupted.

Playa Gran

Playa Gran is Tossa’s main beach and dominates the bay. It is a very wide beach of shingle and stone offering ample space for sun worshippers.


Tossa has no harbour or marina, so resident’s boats are either moored in the shallow water, or are kept on the beach itself, in dedicated roped off areas. These areas should be should be avoided for bathing and sunbathing and pay attention to any signs.  That shady area between the boats may look inviting to lay out your beach towel, but you can guarantee you’ll be moved on later in the day when the Nautical Club want to replace the boat taken out that morning.

Tossa is served by a plethora of excursion and ferry boats which ‘dock’ at one end of the Playa Gran, just by the Vila Vella, so this area of the beach must also be kept clear at all times.

Playa Gran is surrounded by many restaurants and bars all within walking distance. Some offer take-away meals so you can lunch on the beach. There are also many shops and supermarkets to hand, so you will never go without during your day on the Playa Gran.

You’ll find, despite its size, this beach can still get very tightly packed in the high season, especially during local fiestas when Spanish and Catalan visitors flock there. Check out the list of local fiestas on this site and be prepared! It is also useful to know that although the beach gets extremely busy between from around 10am, many people leave at around 1 or 2pm for a long lunch and cool afternoon siesta, leaving the beach a little clearer in the afternoon.

Playa Gran takes on a delightful hue as the sun begins to set and it is well worth taking the time for a peaceful stroll along the waters edge at this time. Listen to the waves gently swashing onto the shore, breathe in the evening air, and feel the still-warm breeze of the sea caress your cheeks. Bliss!

ES Codolar

Es Codolar is a peaceful area beneath the Vila Vella and is punctuated by the tower of the same name.

It is reached by walking through the new town around the outside walls of the Vila Vella, or through the Vila Vella itself.

It is a favourite among snorklers on account of it’s crystal clear waters sucking at rocks beneath, where an array of sea life dart in and out of crevices and plum coloured sea weed wafts in the rippling current.

Spend time on this beach and you’ll also see the more daring diving off the rocks and fishermen casting out into the calm rippling waters.

As it’s only a small beach, there is limited room for sunbathers so arrive early if you want to spend the day here.

Playa del Reig

Just a little way along from Playa Gran is the tiny beach of Playa del Reig.

This is literally just a few metres of sand reached from the road above, Avenida San Ramon de Penyafort, by a steep staircase.

There are no services on this beach, but it is popular amongst those who like a cosy space of their own!

Mar Menuda

Slightly quieter, and smaller in size than the Playa Gran, this stretch of shingle beach is a favourite amongst water sports lovers, especially scuba divers. The local scuba diving school, Centre de Submarinisme, is situated here.

The Mar Menuda beach is set within a small bay, marked at either end by jagged rocks, often frequented by fishermen. It is reached by a pretty promenade lined by a handful of restaurants and bars with canopied tables set within their gardens.

At the end of the beach there is a soft sandy-bottomed pool with a gradual entryway, which is placidly calm, perfect for paddlers who wish to keep the water below their knees. This area is known as Banyera ses Dones and is well sheltered, even on windy days.

From the Banyera, straight ahead of you lies the striking rock, L’Illa. This is the largest rock formed of the rugged coast, and is the furthest from the shoreline. L’Illa can be seen from most view points in Tossa and one of the restaurants lining Avenida San Ramon de Penyafort is named after it.


Just past the Mar Menuda is a series of stacks and stumps known as Ses Illetes. These enchanting rock formations occur where the sea weathers land formed of a mixture of soft and hard rock types. Soft rock is eroded by the ebb and flow of the tide, leaving just the hard rock standing. The same process forms caves, and there are many of these dotted along the Costa Brava coastline, some of which are visited on the glass bottom boat trips described in the Things to do section. It is amazing to see inside these caves, to marvel at the layers of glinting metallic colour slicing through the rock.

The Mar Menuda is the diver’s favourite due to its amazing surrounding geology and marine biology. Beyond Ses Iletes lies a myriad of islets, islands, caves and reefs - a bounty of underwater sights.

For those who are really interested in what lies beneath the sea, there is even a course on Marine Biology, designed for recreational divers who want to expand their knowledge of the mysteries of the deep. Contact the Centre de Submarinisme for details (see the Things to do Directory for their contact details).

From the far reach of the Mar Menuda, there is an immaculate view of the entire bay of Tossa with the Vila Vella standing proudly at it’s apex.

A voyage along the coastline of the region of Tossa de Mar
Whether you take a ferry, the glass-bottom boat, cruise on the Catamaran experience or try the thrill of the power-boat Splash!, you’ll be amazed by the bays and coves studding the craggy, pine-carpeted coastline. North or south, there is much to see. Some of the bays are only accessible by boat or on foot, making them wonderfully secluded!

South of Tossa

The region of Tossa stretches 5km south towards Lloret de Mar and before you reach this town, you’ll come across six main bays:

Llevador
Llevador is the first of the region’s inlets travelling south from Tossa towards Lloret. This is a relatively unspoilt cove with a small sandy beach draped with a floral backdrop.

Cala d’en Carlos
The next stop on our southwards journey through the Tossa region is this sunny bay with diamond sparkling waters offering a handful of services including windsurfing, sailing and canoeing as well as a beach bar and showers.

Cala Figuera
Travelling south again, we find ourselves at this small, sheltered cove, which offers not much more than a sandy beach and pretty, tranquil surroundings, but is, however, a very popular spot for those who prefer a more natural approach to life. Cala Figuera is a nudist beach, so unless this is your thing, it may be best to choose one of the region’s other sandy inlets to pass the time.

Llorell
Another kilometre south, at 3.5km from Tossa, is this wide bay encompassing several beaches. If water sports are your thing, then Llorell has an abundance to offer you: windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boats, water skiing. To perfect your day, Llorell also offers a beach bar, parasol and sun lounger hire, boat excursions and showers to name but a few.

Porto Pi
Another kilometre south sits this attractive bay offering a range of services including a beach bar and a selection of water sports.

Cala Morisca
5km south of Tossa is this heavenly cove, one of the Costa Brava’s only remaining unspoilt beaches. There are no services here, which of course is one of its highlights. Pure, unblemished beauty.

North of Tossa

The region under the remit of Tossa continues another 8km north along the coast towards San Feliu de Guixols and is dotted with even more bays and coves than the southerly region.

Sant Jaume
The first stop on the northerly journey is Sant Jaume, 1km from Tossa. There is almost no beach here at all, and pretty much no access by road, but the dramatic landscape must be seen. The tiny beach of pebbles is formed of the craggy weathered rock that surrounds.

Cala Bona
Offering a shore fringed with vegetation, Cala Bona is situated 3km from Tossa and is one of the only places in the region where the bay is enveloped by trees right to its shoreline. Here you’ll be served with a beach bar, but not much else.

Cala Pola
Another 1km north, sandy-beached Cala Pola is the first in this direction to offer a good selection of services such as glass bottom boat excursions, a beach bar, food and showers. Here the rugged cliffs descend in gentle stages until what look like necks of great lizards incise the expansive Mediterranean. The glass bottom boats that leave Tossa’s Playa Gran call in here to pick up and set down more passengers.

Giverola
At 5km north of Tossa de Mar sits Giverola, a very popular destination for those venturing out of Tossa’s centre to explore the beauty of the surrounding region. Giverola is one of the simplest bays to reach as a dedicated bus service runs from Tossa several times a day from the main bus station, and it is the last stop on the glass bottom boat excursions from Tossa’s main beach.

As well as an exceedingly picturesque setting and a golden-sanded beach lapped by translucent cobalt waters, Giverola presents its visitors with many services including restaurants, a beach bar, parasol and sun lounger hire and various water sports.

Futadera
6km from Tossa lays a petite gem of a bay. Futadera offers no more than a sandy beach in the way of services, but scores top marks in terms of natural beauty. Peace and tranquillity radiate. Cliffs sliced into amazing formations and topped with a carpet of pines form an idyllic landscape, which could easily be mistaken for a far-flung tropical island. Because of the shallow bay here, Futadera’s beauty is accentuated more so by the extraordinary colours rippling through it’s waters.

Cala Salions
Tossa’s last northerly cove is that of Cala Salions, situated at 8km from the centre of Tossa. Lush pines top the striated cliffs, which fall down in subtle gradients to the sea. Here there are plenty of services on offer for those wanting to spend time at this sandy-beached cove. Food and drink, a First Aid post, a Nautical Club and showers all serve to make a day here pass happily. The next stop after this is Sant Feliu de Guixols.