How to Spend a Weekend in Tossa de Mar with Kids
- Maria DiCicco
- Aug 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Whether you are traveling from Barcelona or from elsewhere in Spain, Tossa de Mar makes for an excellent weekend getaway with kids.
About 1.5 hours drive north along the coast road from Barcelona, Tossa de Mar is a hidden gem for travelers looking to experience gorgeous seaside vistas paired with a historic fortified old town.
This easy weekend trip with kids to Tossa de Mar will be an unforgettable one. Let's dive into the details!
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Go Camping in Tossa de Mar
Why spend an arm and a leg on resort town prices in the peak season? For something truly unique, go camping at Camping Turismar, located about 20 minutes walk from town (I can confirm there are sidewalks the whole way), or a quick 3 minute drive.
At Camping Turismar, rent out a bungalow for the weekend, or even a glamping tent! We chose a beautiful bungalow that couldn't have been more spotless.
It had all the amenities we could need (except towels, but we didn't bother to ask since we had some beach towels), and there was even a coffee pot, so bring or buy some ground coffee from the campground shop.
The bed was super comfortable and the night we stayed there was an amazing rainstorm keeping the no-A/C bungalow at a perfect temperature. (Don't worry, they also provide very effective fans).
For big families, rent out the larger bungalows.
Spend your evenings playing pool or foosball at the campground bar with a pizza or some snacks.
It was perfect for one night but we would have loved to stay longer to explore the area!
Take a Glass Bottom Boat Ride to Cala Giverola
A perfect morning in Tossa de Mar can be spent taking the family out on a one hour glass bottom boat ride on Fondo Cristal (or their partner Sub Vision) from the Tossa de Mar beachfront.
The ride takes you through many sea caves that look too tiny to squeeze through, and the rocky landscape of the cliff side is stunning to behold along the journey.
My daughter loved spotting fishing in the caves.
The ride also includes an optional stop at Cala Giverola, a small cove beach for swimming. Cala Giverola has a snack bar and restaurant if you want to get off the boat for awhile and return on a later boat.
The day we visited it was the first boat out for the day and it was rainy, so everyone opted to stay onboard.
Fondo Cristal is the official boat operator for tours, and you can easily get tickets right on the beach in town.
Contact Fondo Cristal by email to reserve your spot, or find their booth on the Playa Gran in the center of town (in front of Capri Hotel) to buy tickets. Either way, reserving your spot in advance you do not need to pay until you are there in person.
Boats run from 10am every hour until around 5pm, when the last boat returns from the beach.
For a fun day, start early on the 10am boat, which drops you at the beach at Cala Giverola at 1040 after some siteseeing, then return on the 1240 or 140 for a couple of hours of beach time and snacks.
You can always return directly on the same boat you left on without getting off on the beach.
Enjoy the views of town and the castle and soak it all in!
Indulge in Water Sports
For a family adventure, consider a kayak trip around the secret coves, or there is even a PADI Mermaid experience on offer!
Kids older than 12 can participate in a cool snorkel + kayak tour that also includes a three course paella lunch in town, or diving is a readily available option as well with several dive shops in town.
Obviously the town beach is also a draw!
Take a Train Up to the Castle and Old Town
Dicotren operates a little green train that goes up to the castle and back down. The views are worth the ticket, but you can get those on foot - so let me just suggest the train for two reasons:
Taking a load off your feet for a bit
An uphill journey by train is more fun than an uphill journey carrying your complaining children!!
Vila Vella, the name for the old town, is worth a good bit of your time to explore so take the train to see what's what, and make the walk down on foot.
I highly suggest a one way ticket, which as of July 2025 cost us 5 euros for adults, 2.50 for children. Round Trip is 9 euros for adults and 4 euros for kids during the peak season.
The round trip ticket buys you 15 minutes at the top, where there is a nice panoramic vista and a snack bar.
Catch the train at the little booth near the beachfront promenade.
They also offer more of a siteseeing train through town.
Learn more about these fun little train rides at the Dicotren website here.
Go Souvenir Shopping in Tossa de Mar
When you are done with the train and panoramic viewpoint, start walking down the hill. You'll pass lovely stone souvenir shops before arriving back at the base of town in no time (and with no strenuous hike to wear you out, might I add).
A note about shopping in Vila Vella at the top of the castle hill - I was pretty confused about how big the town of Tossa de Mar is before I arrived, and whether there were two shopping areas or not, and basically it's all one connected shopping zone.
Start at the top of the castle in Vila Vella, and eventually you'll walk out of the medieval gate and into the chaos of pedestrian friendly Tossa de Mar.
Now as far as shopping for a kids weekend goes, I get it - kids are not all cut from the same cloth. My kid loves to shop, but not all kids do. That's why you sweeten the deal - offer a spending limit for souvenirs and let them go wild!
Typical souvenirs in town include beachwear, jewelry, straw hats and bags, and other beach-themed items.
English is readily spoken in town, and bars, restaurants, and ice cream shops are everywhere. Do some browsing and take your time.
Be aware that shops often close in Spain in the middle of the day during the lunch hours (from 1pm-4pm). This isn't really a problem in Tossa de Mar, but just be aware of it nonetheless.
For true shoppers, be sure to stop into my absolute favorite Spanish brand store, Soruka, where ladies can get amazing handcrafted leather handbags made in India.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this store, and there are not many of them so please do go in and find something to take home and call your own.
Lastly, Tossa de Mar has a Thursday market that we spotted sprawled out across the upper part of town on as we were leaving in the rain.
You can see it in the photo that I hurriedly took from the car window. It looks like it was a good market though, and I would have loved to stay in better weather.
Have Pizza!
If there's one thing the world seems to agree on, it's that kids love pizza. And if you are in Tossa de Mar with kids, this is a must. Whether you bring it back to your campsite or you want pizza with a view, this town has what you need.
For the ultimate pizza with a view, go to Da Giovanni. Not only do they have the red checkered tablecloth vibes, but they have outstanding and authentic Italian cuisine, with great views.
From top to bottom our meal was tremendous. Make a reservation if you can.
I recommend the seafood pasta! It was perfectly salty from the shellfish, and an unforgettable meal. (Want to see more of this meal? Check out my Instagram post about Tossa de Mar here).
See Remnants of a Roman Villa
The Roman Villa in Tossa de Mar is a hit and miss attraction, with some saying it's worth a visit and others saying they couldn't get close enough to see anything. Expect to see marbled mosaic floors and some remnants of room outlines.
While this may seem underwhelming for some, my family loves this type of thing and it helps to bring the past to life!
We didn't make time for this attraction this visit, but definitely next time!
Is Tossa de Mar worth visiting with kids?
You bet your britches! It's a perfect landscape for sun, fun, beach and old town vibes.
Get yourself situated in an unforgettable camping bungalow, play card games, and soak in the coastal vibes.
It's a weekend they will definitely remember!
Pro tip: If you have more time, continue north into France at the French and Spanish border for more picture perfect places to take your kids!
