Tossa de Mar is the Costa Brava postcard: a medieval walled old town on a headland, a sheltered beach below it, and pine-covered hills behind. This page explains the trip from Barcelona by private driver, what a day costs and how to build it.
Barcelona to Tossa de Mar: the drive
From Plaça de Catalunya to Tossa de Mar (Vila Vella) it is 86 km, about 1 h 15 min without traffic (route on Google Maps). The last stretch is a winding coastal road, so time on the ground can be longer than the free-flow figure, especially on summer weekends. I plan the day with that in mind.
What a day in Tossa de Mar costs
A one-way Barcelona to Tossa de Mar run is not in my fixed price table, so I quote it on request. A full day trip with the driver waiting is priced hourly. The estimate is 1 h 15 min each way plus about 4 hours on site, rounded up to the half hour: 6.5 hours.
| Vehicle | Passengers | 6.5 hours at your disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes E-Class | up to 3 | €510 |
| Mercedes V-Class | up to 7 | €510 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | up to 16 | €655 |
| Minibus | up to 33 | €735 |
| Coach | up to 60 | €735 |
All prices are per vehicle, in euros, VAT included. The S-Class is hourly only (€805 for 6.5 hours). The daily minimum is 6 hours with no maximum, and extra hours are charged at €80 in the E-Class or V-Class, €90 in the Sprinter and €110 in the minibus or coach. The prices page has every row.
What to do in Tossa de Mar
Tossa is small, and the main sights sit close together.
- Vila Vella. The walled old town is the heart of the trip. Walk the lanes and the walls, with views over the bay.
- The beach. Platja Gran sits beneath the walls, a good spot for a swim in summer.
- Lunch. The restaurants along the front and in the old quarter serve seafood and Catalan dishes.
- Coves and coast walks. Paths lead to quieter beaches around the headland.
For official visitor information see the Catalonia tourism site. Opening hours of the monuments change by season, so check before you go.
Tossa de Mar with Girona, Lloret or the rest of the coast
The Costa Brava has more than one place worth a stop, and Tossa is a good base for a longer coastal day. Some guests start in Girona and end on the coast, which is covered on the private Girona tour page. Others continue to Begur and the Costa Brava coves or follow the whole Costa Brava tour.
If you are thinking of Lloret de Mar, it is nearby; I quote Barcelona to Lloret on request, since it is outside my fixed table. A longer day adds hours at the hourly rate.
Airport arrivals
A few guests land at Barcelona and head straight to Tossa. Girona airport is the closer of the two for the coast. The airport routes are on my Barcelona airport transfer and Girona Airport to Barcelona pages, and a transfer to Tossa from either airport is quoted on request.
Bus, taxi or private driver
Coastal buses run from Barcelona; check the operator’s current timetable and prices. Taxis are possible, but the metered fare over this distance is hard to predict. A private driver is a fixed per-vehicle price and the better pick for groups of four to seven (V-Class) or sixteen (Sprinter), for travellers with luggage, and for those who would like to see more than one beach.
Choosing the vehicle
The E-Class holds up to 3 passengers and the V-Class up to 7. The Sprinter takes up to 16, and the minibus 33 and the coach 60. The fleet page shows them side by side. On a winding road, the smaller cars are the more comfortable; large groups may prefer a minibus for the shared journey.
How to book
- Choose the date and the number of passengers.
- Send the pick-up address in Barcelona and the time you want to leave.
- Tell me about extra stops, such as Girona or another beach.
- Use the form below. I reply by e-mail or WhatsApp with the vehicle and the price.
The day trips from Barcelona hub has the rest of the excursions.
A sample day in Tossa de Mar
- Morning. Leave Barcelona early, because the coast road fills up in summer. You reach Tossa before the day-trippers on coaches.
- Late morning. Walk up through the gate into Vila Vella and follow the walls. The views over the bay are the reward.
- Lunch. Choose a table in the old quarter or on the front. Fish and rice are the usual order.
- Afternoon. Swim at Platja Gran, or walk the paths to the nearby coves. If you want a quiet hour, sit in a café by the walls.
- Return. Leave before the evening traffic builds on the coast road.
Opening hours and any seasonal restrictions are on the official visitor pages, and the Catalonia tourism site is the best place to start. I do not quote entry fees or boat times here.
Practical tips
- Summer weekends are busy. A weekday arrival makes parking and the beach easier.
- Pack for the sea. Swimwear and a towel are enough; I cannot store wet items in the car for the drive back, so bring a bag.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The old town is paved with uneven stones.
- Tell me about luggage. If you are on a longer trip and moving on to Girona or another coast stop after Tossa, say so, and I plan the vehicle for the bags.
- Check the weather. On windy days the road and the beach feel different, and I can swap the beach for a long lunch.
If you travel with a large group, send the numbers early. Narrow streets near the old town limit where a minibus can stop, and I plan the drop-off point accordingly.
Last updated 1 November 2026.
