Tossa De Mar, Spain
Tossa de Mar: The Perfect Last Day in Spain
On our last day in Spain, we decided to take a drive to Tossa de Mar. Tossa de Mar was an absolute dream- the second we arrived, I knew we made the right choice. The sand—if you can even call it that—was made up of tiny, colorful stones that felt so different underfoot, and the whole beach was just stunning. The water was so clear, no picture could do it justice. You could see all of the little stones washing up with the waves so clearly, it was somewhere I’d want to stay forever. This beach was truly stunning.
Of course, we had to check out Castillo de Tossa de Mar, a beautiful medieval castle on the coastline. It’s free to explore, and the views from the top? Insane. You get a perfect panorama of the ocean and town, and there are plenty of rocks to climb on for that perfect photo op. After a few cloudy and rainy days in Barcelona, we were blessed with the most perfect weather for our day trip. Since it was February, I expected it to be cold, but it was warm and sunny—I so wish I had brought a swimsuit because the water was calling my name!
An Unforgettable Meal at Popa
After soaking in the views, we stopped at Popa for lunch, and let me tell you—this meal was one for the books. I would highly recommend you to check out this restaurant- this was the only one that we passed that smelled so good. We started with mussels, which we actually ordered because we saw them on someone else’s table, and they did not disappoint.
But the real star of the show? The soupy lobster rice.This dish was unreal. It was packed with flavor, rich and comforting, and the lobster? They did not skimp on it. We had eight massive pieces of lobster plus an entire pan of soupy rice, all for less than what you’d pay for a single lobster tail at a restaurant in the U.S. This was easily one of the best meals of the trip, made even better by the delicious sangria and the beautiful view. As we walked back toward the beach, the restaurant staff even gave us a couple shots of ginja. What a perfect ending to a perfect meal.
Chasing the Sunset in Sant Feliu de Guíxols
With full stomachs and happy hearts, we hit the road again, heading to Sant Feliu de Guíxols for sunset. The drive itself was stunning, winding along the coastline with jaw-dropping ocean and mountain views the entire way.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols was just as beautiful as I imagined. The marina was filled with boats, and the surrounding mountains made for the perfect backdrop. We explored both the water’s edge—where a cool staircase led down to the sea—and a higher viewpoint that gave us an incredible overlook of everything. It was the absolute best way to end our last day in Spain.
More Places to Explore in Costa Brava
If you have more time, there are so many other places to explore in Costa Brava:
Blanes – Known for its gorgeous beaches and the Marimurtra Botanical Garden, which sits on a cliffside overlooking the sea.
Lloret de Mar – A lively beach town with vibrant nightlife, historic sites like Sant Joan’s Castle, and the beautiful Santa Clotilde Gardens.
Cadaqués – A charming whitewashed town famous for its connection to Salvador Dalí. His former house, now a museum, is a must-visit.
Begur – A more relaxed coastal town with hidden coves and a medieval castle offering spectacular views.
How to Get to Tossa de Mar
The easiest way to get to Tossa de Mar from Barcelona is by bus. Moventis SARFA operates direct buses from Barcelona Nord Station, with tickets costing around €12-€16 one way. The journey takes about 1.5 hours.
However, we opted to rent a car, which I highly recommend. Having a car allowed us to explore multiple towns along the coast and see places we wouldn’t have been able to with public transport. Costa Brava is full of picturesque seaside towns, and being able to drive from one to another made for an unforgettable experience.
This day was hands-down one of my favorites from the trip. Tossa de Mar, amazing food, stunning coastal drives, and a perfect sunset in Sant Feliu de Guíxols—there’s no better way to wrap up a trip to Spain!
Bonus:
If you are looking to drive in the other direction, a day trip to Montserrat is another beautiful place to visit. As mentioned before, we had cloudy/rainy days for most of our time in Barcelona. We did drive to Montserrat, and unfortunately since the weather wasn’t very nice and the high elevation, we weren’t able to see anything besides fog when we got to Monserrat. If you are planning on travelling to this side, I’d highly recommend you to check the weather first, you don’t want to get stuck not seeing anything after an hour and a half of driving! If you do make it there though, you will be granted beautiful views of the monastery and mountains, something I wish we had the opportunity to see.
