Tossa de Mar is situated on the Costa Brava, about half-way between Barcelona and the border with France. It is a pretty resort suitable for young families and those looking for a quieter holiday. The town is renowned for its attractive medieval quarter, which looms over the coastline like a fairytale castle. Tossa de Mar first became known to the wider world in the 1950's when it was chosen as the location for the film, Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, starring Hollywood legends James Mason and Ava Gardner. A statue of Ava Gardner has since been unveiled in the town.

Tossa de Mar's main tourist attraction, other than its lovely beaches, is the medieval walled quarter of Vila Vela, which is situated on a headland overlooking the resort. The battlements and towers were built during the 12th century to protect the town from pirate raids - a common occurrence along this stretch coastline during that time. Today the labyrinth of cobblestone streets within the Vila Vela is home to souvenir shops, quaint houses and restaurants.

The town's municipal museum occupies the former governor's house which dates back to the 14th century. Inside is an informative archaeological section, with relics from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Because of Tossa de Mar's beautiful natural setting, the town has often been a haven for artists, and the museum contains some fine paintings, including Marc Chagall's 'The Celestial Violinist'. Another of the town's attractions is the lighthouse, which houses an audio-visual exhibition explaining its history. There are some beautiful views of the coastline from this spot.

About half a mile from the centre of Tossa de Mar is the man-made nature reserve of Sa Riera, which has several different habitats designed to encourage local plants and animals. These habitats include a river, lake and Mediterranean forest. The actual town itself is located in the middle of a protected 4-mile stretch of coastline known as the Massif de Cadiretes. This area is characterised by wooded, mountainous slopes and deep lush valleys.

The main beach in Tossa de Mar, Playa Gran, is sandy with a wide range of facilities, including toilets, showers and a first-aid post. Water sports, such as sailing, water skiing and windsurfing are also available. Just off the coast are the small, uninhabited islands of Medes, popular with scuba divers due to the clear water and diversity of marine life. If you don't want to get your feet wet there are also regular glass-bottom boat trips around these islands. The resort has 8 miles (13km) of coastline in total, with several secluded coves along its length.

Tossa de Mar has a variety of shops and restaurants geared to tourists. Other than a few late-night bars, there is not much in the way of nightlife in the town.

The nearest airport to Tossa de Mar is at Girona (Gerona), which is used by several charter and budget airlines. Sagales operates regular buses from the airport to towns along the Costa Brava including Tossa de Mar.

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For more advice and tourist information about Tossa de Mar please see Tossa de Mar