Costa Brava Day Trip: Explore Blanes and Tossa de Mar

Embark on a Costa Brava group tour from Barcelona and experience the stunning beauty of Europe’s coastline. Enjoy a traditional lunch and explore charming Tossa de Mar.

Duration: 10 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Palace of Catalan Music - 8.15am - You will start your day at our main office, which is right next to the famous Palau de la Música. You will meet your guide, have time to use the restrooms, and perhaps even grab a quick coffee before the tour begin. Your guide will explain all about the day ahead and what to expect as you wait for you tour to leave.

  • Eixample - 8.30am - You will leave Barcelona though the Eixample district of town. As you head out of the city, your guide will give you a brief history of Barcelona, before letting you sit back and relax on the 60 minute drive to Blanes.

  • Cala de Sant Francesc - 9.45am - In just over an hour, you will be transported from the hustle and bustle of the busy Mediterranean city of Barcelona, to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful stretches of coastline in the whole of Europe - the Costa Brava.
    Cala de Sant Francesc, known only to locals, is one of the few remaining coves on the coast that have avoided the crowds of tourists and big commercial developments.
    Our early morning departure from Barcelona means you’ll have the beach to yourself, and you’ll be able to enjoy a secluded swim in the crystal-clear waters, or wander alone the shoreline.
    You have the option to stay on the beach for the next two hours, or leave the sand for another day and come with us to the famous botanical gardens. With a little bit of effort, you’ll even find time to do both.

  • Jardi Botanic Marimurtra - 10.15am - The Marimurtra botanical gardens are home to a wide variety of exotic plants, but it is the amazing views from high up on the cliffs that makes this stop an absolute must.
    The turquoise blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea stretch out endlessly into the distance, while far beneath you the waves crash in an explosion of white against the wild coastline. You’ll not want to leave the cliff tops, but a typical Mediterranean lunch is waiting for you in a local restaurant.
    You can choose to spend all morning here, or you can spend an hour wandering the gardens and then go back to the beach you first visited.

  • Blanes - 12.30pm - After we leave the botanical garden and beach we will stop first at the Castle of Sant Joan, with its magnificent views over Blanes.
    From there we descend into the town for the highlight of the day, a feast of traditional local dishes and Sangria at a local family run restaurant.
    All the dishes are lovingly handmade and they have built a deserved reputation as one of the best kept secrets in town.
    After lunch, we will take a short drive to Tossa de Mar.

  • Tossa de Mar - 3.45pm - The final stop of the day is Tossa de Mar, home to the last remaining preserved fortified town on the Costa Brava Coast.
    You will have time to walk up to the lighthouse along cobbled streets with the ever-present backdrop of the Costa Brava coastline completing your view.
    From the lighthouse on top of the hill, you’ll wander back down through the old medieval town before dropping into a maze of narrow streets lined with traditional whitewashed houses and shops.
    After a couple of hours exploring Tossa de Mar, we will head back to Barcelona, arriving at about 7pm.

  • Plaza de Catalunya - 7.00 - 7.15pm - We end the day in Plaça Catalunya. From here, you can easily take the metro or a taxi back to your hotel. Otherwise, your guide will be more than happy to make some recommendations of where to have dinner.

What's Included
  • Local guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Lunch with a glass of sangria, wine, beer, soda, or mineral water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a day excursion to Costa Brava, one of Europe’s most picturesque coastlines, from Barcelona. Journey in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan to this renowned coast celebrated for its cliff-hugging pines and rocky capes. Drop in at Blanes to treat yourself to a quiet cove or marvel at the Marimurtra Botanical Gardens perched on the cliff. Post a delightful meal at a local restaurant, you’re free to meander through the charming Tossa de Mar.

  • Please bring you bathing suit and towel if you plan to visit the cove in Blanes
  • This tour operates in English only
Location
Explore Catalunya
Carrer del Palau de la Música
All of our tours meet at our office, which is directly across from the outside cafe area of the Palau de la Musica. We advise that you arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(380 Ratings)
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Emih381
Aug 1, 2024
Balearic Sea - They politely informed me that due to circumstances they were unable to participate in the tour I had originally signed up for, and introduced me to this tour. I'm glad I was able to go to a place I never would have been able to go to on my own! Thank you for showing me the ocean that you can't see in Japan! And the food was delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosemary_r
Aug 1, 2024
You won't be disappointed - Nu, our tour guide, and Jonathan, our bus driver, were both exceptional! The Botanical Gardens were beautiful, as were the beaches. The lunch setting in an old farm house was very interesting, and the food very well prepared. Nu took care to make sure that my dietary restrictions were met, going above and beyond!! She presented such a large amount of history about the places that we visited.
Review provided by Viator
Tripstam
Jul 31, 2024
Costa Brava is a must do with Nu - I had such a wonderful time with Nu and our group. I think this trip is a must do if you’re in Barcelona. The views were amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
732daphneyp
Jul 30, 2024
Spain tour experience - We had a very educational guide name Rod. He was very knowledgeable, patient, kind. He also made sure the ground was together and assisted whenever anyone needed help. He speaks English which was helpful for my group from NEW York. Our driver Lydia, was also very accommodating and drove safely.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
839calebw
Jul 30, 2024
We went along the coast and saw some beaches - The tour guide was very full of energy and taught me a lot. The sights and history I learned was also very good. I would recomend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U8075hyvaleriac
Jul 30, 2024
Amazing and memorable experience - Rod was our guide and he was very nice and funny 😊 my favorite part of the tour was seeing the medieval castle in Tossa de Mar 🏰
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kingleungt
Jul 30, 2024
Great tour - The tour is great with free time for you to walking around, enjoying Blanes and Tossa. The guide Rod is very friendly and helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffanym0812
Jul 30, 2024
Loved it! - Rod was amazing! He was charismatic, friendly and energetic. He gave great information on the sites we visited. Would recommend this tour to Costa Brava! It was a great day full of sun, beaches, and history. The lunch included was a 3 course meal with dessert and drink and it was DELICIOUS.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mattwb4433eg
Jul 20, 2024
Amazing experience!!! - Xavi was an amazing and personable guide. We had a fantastic and memorable time! The sights and lunch were fantastic!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samwr2934lv
Jul 20, 2024
Costa Brava Tour - Amazing tour with an amazing guide, Xavi was very enthusiastic and gave plenty of history and humor during our tour of Barcelona and Costa Brava! Thank you so much for the great addition to our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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