Family Holidays in Tossa de Mar, Spain

So, why did I chose to go on a trip to Tossa de Mar, a lovely Medieval holiday resort which is also known as the Pearl of Costa Brava?

Well, although I'm a single parent, I've always enjoyed active family vacations. Therefore, years ago, my son and I went on holidays to Sant Antoni Calonge, a nice holiday resort located near Palamos, in the province of Girona, in Northern Spain. My parents had the opportunity to stay in a wonderful villa for one month and we joined them for two weeks.

My son and I enjoyed going to the beach or playing in the garden. There was even a solarium on the roof, where we could organize barbecues while tanning at the same time. The family came to visit us, we went a few days to Salou and Terrassa, met my aunts, uncles and cousins - as well as their children - and then went back to Sant Antoni Calonge.

However, while my parents don't like to move, my son and I like to visit all the places around the area we stay. And the vacation quickly became boring, so we made a decision on going on a one-day trip to Tossa de Mar, a nice vacation resort where I spent three splendid weeks few years earlier.

While on a walk in Sant Antoni's harbour, I discovered the opportunity to have a one-day trip by boat to any holiday resort located on the coastline of the province of Girona. Therefore, I quickly made a decision on showing the exquisite Medieval vacation resort; which is Tossa de Mar. This town is also known as the Pearl of Costa Brava.

Tossa de Mar is a pre-Roman town but the Vila Vella actually dates from the XIIth century. Along with the old town of Pals, another Medieval holiday resort, Tossa de Mar's Medieval town center was entirely restored and people actually live in this small town.

The trip by boat to the Pearl of Costa Brava didn't last long but the wild Spanish coastline is breathtaking and the travel really agreeable.

As said earlier, the cruise doesn't last long and we quickly arrived at Tossa de Mar. The boat arrives at Tossa's main beach and, since the Medieval town is located next to that beach, it didn't take long for us to enter the "Vila Vella"; which is the Medieval town center.

As you can see, there are restaurants, cafes and shops in the Vila Vella. To say the truth, there are first class restaurants in the Medieval center of this holiday resort. Although first class, they aren't more expensive than the restaurant you can find anywhere else in the rest of Tossa.

So, just to make sure that things are very clear, Tossa de Mar is a vacation resort that includes a town that dates from the Middle Ages; which is named "Villa Vella". And Villa Vella means Old Town. However, this doesn't mean that you won't find any modern comfort in this exquisite town.

Before going to eat in a typical restaurant of the Old town; which provides you with a splendid view on the wild coastline and the blue Mediterranean Sea, we had a walk and my son discovers the little town I love so much. I must say that he loved the town as soon as we arrived. This is indeed a great place to go with the children as it's quite peaceful although there is everything parents need to keep the kids, and themselves, occupied.

As you can see, the houses of the Medieval Town situated in Tossa de Mar, have been wonderfully restored and the views are definitely breathtaking! In addition, the Vila Vella in Tossa de Mar is a protected town; which means that nobody could destruct any house or the whole center to build a golf or a commercial building, for example.

Two gates allow access to Vila Vella. The ramparts count 7 towers; they were necessary to protect Tossa against potential attacks of invaders or ennemies in the Middle Ages.

The "Far de Tossa" is Vila Vella's lighthouse. The Far de Tossa replaced the oldest ones in the year 1917. The lighthouse is also home to the Interpretation Center of Mediterranean Lighthouses; which is considered as a reference regarding lighthouses construction, development and history.

We are halfway up the top of Vila Vella and we have a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea as well as Tossa's coves from this point. At the foot of this rempart is a lovely cove called "El Codolar"; which was the former harbour of Tossa de Mar and became one of the most popular beaches.

Because I swam in the Codolar creek several times in the past, I can say that it is a quiet pebble beach, the water is extremely clear and has a perfect temperature during the summer.

At the top of Vila Vella, we discoverd the ruins of a Gothic Church, "Església of Sant Vicenç" (Saint Vincent Church). In the old town we also found the Tossa de Mar Municipal Museum as well as a wonderful statue that has been created after Ava Gardner.

Vila Vella is a sloping town, so, whenever you would have young children to visit Vila Vella with you, I would advise you to bring a buggy so that they can take a little rest in case they're tired.

We go through the way that comes down from the old to the new town and that goes along the sea. If you go to Tossa de Mar and take this way, you'll discover a splendid view on Tossa de Mar's main Beach, the coves a large part of the coastline as well as on the blue Mediterranean Sea.

The water is crystal-clear and we can even notice shoals of fish. It's 1 o'clock in the afternoon already and time has come to have a bite in a restaurant in Vila Vella. We chose a restaurant which terrace has a fantastic view on the wild coastine of Tossa.

There are fantastic craft shops in Vila Vella and we found a bunch of really nice items during our afternoon shopping activity. The range of products is wide: decoration items, natural products, foods, etc. Most of these products are handmade some are probably more expensive than manufactured ones, however, they're worth their price.

Our one-day visit to Tossa de Mar is coming to an end and we're having a walk in the new town before leaving. There are a huge number of stores, restaurants, cafes also called "Bodegas", and, last time I went to Tossa, there were also a few nightclubs; which, surprisignly don't break the peaceful atmosphere of the modern town.

Spaniards eat late, and the sun sets only at 10 pm so, we can stay in Tossa de Mar as long as we wish. However, we won't sleep here: we have to get back to Sant Antoni calonge before nightfall.

Back to Sant Antoni Calonge; which I also recommend to those who wish to have family vacations in Spain. We're celebrating our last day in Spain and go to the restaurant with my parents.

I'm amazed by my child. While the menu provides a bunch of Spanish meals, such as Paella de Mariscos, Sepia a la Plancha, Gambas al Ajillo, Zarzuela, Ensalada Catalana, etc., he chose to eat a spaghetti bolognese, an Italian speciality. It seems that Spaniards cook Italian food very well ;)

Our spanish family holidays are almost over: we're leaving the town tomorrow morning. My stepfather will drive us to Port Bou so that we can take the train to go back to Brussels. Port Bou is actually the last municipality in Costa Brava. The next step is Cerbere a very nice family friendly holiday resort in France; which beaches are black.

Bye, bye, Spain, see you soon.