Areas
Tossa de Mar
A UNESCO-recognised medieval walled town perched above turquoise coves — quieter, more refined, and pricier than its neighbour Lloret de Mar.
Tossa de Mar is the Costa Brava's postcard star. Its Vila Vella — the only surviving medieval walled town on the Catalan coast — is a UNESCO-recognised historic site, rising above a horseshoe bay of clear water and shingle beaches. The aesthetic is impeccable and the atmosphere, outside peak season, is genuinely peaceful.
For British relocation planners, Tossa offers a very different proposition to Lloret de Mar twelve kilometres south. It is smaller, quieter, more expensive and far less equipped for year-round living. There is no large supermarket, no hospital, no direct train and the winter population drops to a handful of residents. Property prices reflect the exclusivity.
The foreign buyer profile here is French, Dutch, German and Belgian — with a notable contingent of second-home owners from Barcelona. British buyers are rare. Catalan dominates in daily life. English is spoken in tourist restaurants in summer; much less so in winter.
Who this town suits
Small beaches, no international school, seasonal activities.
Beautiful, walkable, safe. But limited healthcare and services on site.
Good broadband likely but small coworking/amenity scene. Very quiet out of season.
Strong rental appeal, iconic location, established summer demand. Premium prices hold value.
High demand but strict HUT regulations and limited stock. Small scale only.
The Vila Vella, Roman villa ruins, museum with works by Marc Chagall.
Geography and access
- • Coastal town in southern Girona province, Costa Brava, ~12 km north of Lloret de Mar.
- • No railway. Bus links to Lloret and Blanes. Girona airport ~40 km; Barcelona El Prat ~100 km.
- • Road access via GI-682 coastal road — scenic but winding.
Local services
Healthcare
Primary care centre (CAP) in town. Hospital de Palamós (~25 km) or Hospital Josep Trueta in Girona (~45 km) for emergencies.
Schools
Public primary/secondary (Catalan/Spanish). No international school nearby.
Shopping
Small local shops, souvenir stores, restaurants. Large supermarkets in Lloret de Mar or Sant Feliu de Guíxols.
Admin
Padrón at Tossa town hall. Extranjería in Girona.
British community
Very small. The 2021 census recorded British nationals in single figures. The dominant foreign nationalities are French and Dutch. Most foreign residents are seasonal second-home owners rather than year-round residents.
Property and rental signal
Local admin notes
Important notes and caveats
- • Population: ~6,300 (citypopulation.de 2025 estimate). Summer population roughly triples.
- • British nationals: negligible (2021 census).
- • Vila Vella is a UNESCO-recognised historic ensemble — strict conservation rules apply to property in the old town.
- • No large-scale development possible due to site protection.
- • HUT licence required for short-term rental. Limited rental stock means high competition.
- • **Costa Brava research is based on desk research and official sources, not lived experience.** Costa Bridge has deeper on-the-ground knowledge of Terres de l'Ebre and Costa Dorada. Treat Brava guidance as informed but not field-tested.
Nearby towns you may also like
[[Lloret de Mar]]
~12 km south
Larger resort, more services, better transport, lower prices.
[[Sant Feliu de Guíxols]]
~20 km north
Larger working town, more year-round life and services.
[[Girona]]
~45 km inland
Provincial capital, AVE station, hospital, full services.
Last updated: 2026-07-05