We’ve just returned from an amazing week’s holiday in Tossa de Mar along the Costa Brava in Spain, and here’s our review of what we did there with our two daughters (aged 4 & 5).
It was a bit of a last-minute decision to holiday here, but we are really glad we did, as Tossa de Mar is so pretty – I mean, it’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen in Spain, as well as a uniquely intact 12th-century medieval walled old town (Vila Vella). Now, we did visit in August, and it was HOT – so we didn’t go on as many day trips as we normally would, as we were all struggling a little with the heat. So, when we return (which we plan to do), we would aim to visit in June or September.
Anyway, our girls love the water and, interestingly enough, museums, too – so our list may look different from what your kids will be keen to do. All kids are different, am I right?! So in this blog post, I’ve included a mix of things from water parks to boat tours to museums.
Now, let’s get started…
Why you should visit Tossa de Mar with kids:
Tossa de Mar is ideal for families. It’s safe, it’s easy to get around (it’s a small-ish town and we walked everywhere), and the beaches are incredible. As I said, we visited in August – the hottest time of year and the beaches here (Plaja Gran, Es Codolar and Plaja Mar Menuda) were packed from early in the day. And also the restaurants filled up quickly. So keep that in mind if you plan to come here in peak season.
My daughters’ favorite things to do here included Marineland Water Park, the glass-bottom boat tour to Cala Gavina, and the Salvador Dali Museum in nearby Figueres.
Our top tips for visiting Tossa de Mar with kids:
⏱️ Get out and about early – i.e., 8 am or so, to beat the crowds and the mid-day heat.
👶 Many attractions are free/cheap for children aged 4 years and under, like the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Girona Cathedral.
🚶♀️ Walk as much as you can – there weren’t many buses going around the town. Most go to further away spots like Lloret de Mar or Girona. And parking can be hard to find in town, so we left our rental car at the hotel and walked everywhere unless we were going out on a day trip. Our Cosatto buggy came in handy for our 4-year-old (who hates walking).
Getting to Tossa de Mar
We flew into Girona-Costa Brava Airport, which is around a 35-minute drive to Tossa de Mar. We rented a car with Gold Car via Discover Cars, and it was a relatively easy process to pick up the car. The last part of the drive into Tossa de Mar is quite steep and winding and was a little nerve-wracking to drive at night. Our daughter felt travel sick, but this Calm Carry Device really seemed to help her out.
If you’re not keen to rent a car, a taxi from the airport will cost around 100 euros (pre-book here). The number 86 bus also takes you to Tossa de Mar from the airport. It takes around an hour.
Best Things to Do in Tossa de Mar With Kids
Walk up to the fortress
This 12th-century medieval fortress is famous as the only remaining fortified medieval town on the Catalan coast, featuring massive stone walls, three cylindrical watchtowers, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.
It was built in 1187 under the orders of the abbot of Ripoll to defend the locals from pirate attacks. There’s also a lighthouse (Far de Tossa) above Via Vella, which was constructed in 1917. It stands in the place of the fortress’s original grand tower.
There are three other famous towers that make up part of the site, though: the Joanàs tower overlooking the bay, the Hours tower at the weapons yard, and the Codolar tower guarding Es Codolar Beach below it.
We visited in the late morning, and one of my favorite parts was walking through narrow cobblestone lanes lined with historic stone houses and old-style lanterns on the way up to the lookout point. It was very hot, though, so I’d recommend going up here early (9 am or so) or later in the evening. There’s also a small road train that can take you up to the top.
There’s a museum here too, which we didn’t go inside as our girls were keen to swim at the beach. It’s located inside an old 14th-century Gothic governor’s palace, and houses local art, ceramics, and ancient artifacts.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour
This glass-bottom boat tour was one of our daughters’ favorite things to do in Tossa de Mar. The journey takes you from the main beach in Tossa to stunning Cala Giverola, discovering sea caves, cliffs, and spectacular coves along the way. The journey there takes around 45 minutes, and on the way back it’s much quicker as the driver doesn’t stop off on the way back.
It really is a different way to experience the Costa Brava, with unforgettable views. And our girls, of course, loved seeing all the fish through the glass-bottom viewing area.
We got the first boat at 09:30 am, and we highly recommend doing the same if you’re visiting in peak season, as the beach was pretty full by around 11 am. There are toilets, a Coffee/food truck, and a restaurant on the beach.
Tickets cost around 27 euros return for adults and 17 euros for children; we bought our tickets from their little kiosk on the main beach. The company is called Fondo Cristal.
Road train around Tossa de Mar
The tourist road train in Tossa de Mar (known as the Carrilet) offers two routes in Tossa de Mar. The one we did was the route through the town’s streets and main beach avenues, and the second route (as I mentioned above) takes you up to the lighthouse (Far de Tossa). It costs €5 per ticket and runs about every 45 minutes starting from around 10:30 am.
Have a beach day
There are three beaches in Tossa de Mar town – the biggest one Plaja Gran is where we went swimming most days, as it’s the biggest one and so had the most space. Es Codolar is probably the prettiest beach in town. It’s located below Codolar Tower in Via Vella (the old town), but it is tiny and so can get very crowded. And at the far end of town is Plaja Mar Menuda.
Marineland Water Park
We had an amazing day at Marineland Water Park, around a 40-minute drive from Tossa de Mar on our second day. Spanning 65,000 square meters, this park blends a water park, dolphinarium, and marine zoo, ensuring fun for everyone.
There are two daily live shows featuring dolphins and sea lions, as well as an array of thrilling slides full of twists and drops. And just added this year was Adventure Splash a water play area for younger kids featuring six exhilarating slides, and The Magic Boat Show, a pirate-themed spectacle featuring games and audience interaction, has also been added this summer.
The park also has a butterfly garden and several restaurants/ food stands.
It costs around 37 euros per adult to enter; children 4 or under cost 17 euros, and you can pre-book tickets here.
Roman Ruins in Tossa de Mar
The Roman Villa of Ametllers is one of the most important Roman ruins in Catalonia, and from this villa comes the name of Tossa de Mar, which dates from the 1st century BC to the 6th century AD. The ruins were discovered in 1914 by Dr. Ignasi Melé i Farré and are free to enter. In the upper area of the site, you can see the residential quarters. And in the lower area is where the crops, warehouses, and other agricultural activities were done.
Salvador Dali Museum
Okay, maybe a bit of an unusual addition to a list of best things for kids to do, but, honestly, our girls loved this museum even though it was very busy the day we went.
The Salvador Dalí Museum is located in Figueres, Dalí’s hometown (around a 70-minute drive from Tossa de Mar), and it stands as a tribute to the life and work of the eccentric Surrealist artist.
Known as the Dalí Theatre-Museum, this museum is a unique experience that reflects Dalí’s imaginative and often bizarre artistic vision. Designed by Dalí himself, the museum is as much a work of art as the pieces it houses, featuring a striking facade adorned with giant eggs and surreal architectural elements.
Inside, visitors can explore a vast collection of Dalí’s paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations, including some of his most famous works like “The Persistence of Memory.” The museum also includes Dalí’s crypt, making it the final resting place of this iconic artist.
It costs 22 euros per adult to enter the museum, and children under 8 are free. We bought ours from the ticket booth on the day – the board outside displays the next available times. Or you can book a guided tour here for 40 euros each.
Girona Cathedral
This stunning cathedral in Girona City is renowned for its impressive Gothic nave, which is the widest of its kind in the world, measuring an astonishing 22 meters across. Construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and continued over several centuries, resulting in a captivating blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. Its façade is a breathtaking example of Baroque architecture, adorned with intricate sculptures and detailing.
Inside, you can check out the awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, along with a remarkable collection of religious art and artifacts, including the famous Tapestry of Creation.
It cost us 7 euros each to enter; our daughters were free. It’s a 45-minute drive from Tossa de Mar to Girona.
Here are some popular guided tours in Tossa de Mar:
Where to Stay in Tossa de Mar
We stayed at GHT Tossa Park for the week, and although it’s an older-style resort, we still rate it. The pool was nice and big and not too busy, and the staff was very friendly. Our room had cooking facilities so you could cook in (there’s a supermarket very close by), and our balcony was lovely.
Some other places we considered staying at include:
- Golden Bahía de Tossa & Spa is known for its welcoming atmosphere and extensive amenities, including kid-friendly pools, a mini club, and entertainment programs.
- The Gran Hotel Reymar & Spa is another excellent choice, offering breathtaking views, direct beach access, and family-oriented activities.
🛒 Copy our family-friendly packing list for Tossa de Mar:
- Cosatto buggy or similar travel buggy for when their little legs get tired; the streets, though narrow, are fairly buggy-friendly
- A calm carry device – it really helped my daughter with travel sickness and to sleep at night
- Rock shoes – there can be lots of rocks in the ocean here
- Rash vest – to protect little ones from the strong sun
- A beach hat
- Reusable water bottle
Renting a Car in Spain:
We always use Discover Cars when we want to rent a car because you can search by ‘cheapest car rental rates’ and ‘most popular car rental deals’ – it’s so easy to use!
The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in Spain is a valid driver’s license. No company will allow you to do so without one.
And if you are traveling from a country outside the European Union, you might want to get an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier. However, many rental companies accept foreign driver’s licenses without it.
Drivers typically need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Spain, though some companies might require a minimum age of 25. Young drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge.
Each company has different terms and conditions, so you should be fully aware of them. Additionally, you will also need a valid credit card in your name. Rental companies will want to keep a credit card on file as a holding deposit.
If you have a debit card, you will be charged a holding fee. Please note that some companies do not accept a debit card.
Also, because renting a car in Spain is incredibly popular, you WILL NEED to book your rental car in advance. Our rental car company told us they sell out over the busy tourist season (which is from June to September).
BOOK your Spain rental car here!
Travel Insurance for Spain/ Europe:
At first glance, skipping travel insurance may seem like a great way to save some money. However, if you end up losing your luggage, having your flights cancelled, or getting sick – it is a decision you’ll probably regret. Thinking nothing will happen is definitely a mistake, and without travel insurance, it’s one that will end up costing you – big time.
✅ Our fix: Shop around for budget-friendly travel insurance based on your trip length and destination while paying attention to what it covers. We like to use Auras Travel Insurance for our trips! And you can get 10% off their plans with this code: WRTY100489
Thanks for reading!
Tell me – what did you think of our guide to things to do in Tossa de Mar with kids? Is there anywhere on the Costa Brava we have missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
While you’re here, why not check out some of my most popular family blog posts –
13 Best Things to Do in Lanzarote With Kids
Lake Garda With Kids: The Best Things To Do!
Best Things to Do in Malta With Kids
Mallorca With Kids: The Best Things to Do
Last Updated on August 15, 2026 by snaphappytravel