Which airport should I use for Tossa de Mar?

Girona-Costa Brava (GRO) is closest at 35 km (about a 31-minute drive), while Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 90 km away. On 7 July 2026 the Girona pool was thin and premium-priced in peak season — 5 cars from €94/day — whereas Barcelona had 12 cars from just €15/day. If you land at Girona and want a quick transfer, pick up there; if you fly into Barcelona or want the lowest rate, the larger BCN fleet is worth the longer drive.

Can I get a car delivered to my Tossa de Mar hotel?

Yes. Tossa has no airport of its own and most alquiler coche services run out of a larger fleet in Lloret de Mar, 10 km away. Suppliers on platforms like Localrent typically deliver to your Tossa accommodation for free, and you only pay for the days you actually drive — handy if you spend your first day or two in the old town on foot. Local firms such as Olimpia Rent a Car are well regarded for delivery.

How much does car hire in Tossa de Mar cost in summer 2026?

It swings hard with the season. A small economy car can be around €49/day in May but jumps to €80+/day in July and August. Airport pools vary too: on 7 July 2026 Girona started at €94/day (small, pricey fleet) while Barcelona started at €15/day. Booking well in advance is the single biggest lever on price.

What is the GI-682 coastal road like to drive?

Spectacular but demanding. The road from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols is famous for its 365 bends. Ignore the 30-minute map estimate and budget a realistic 50–60 minutes to drive it safely while enjoying the sea views. It can be tough on passengers prone to car sickness.

Do UK drivers need an International Driving Permit in Spain?

Yes. Post-Brexit, UK drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany their photocard licence, and the same applies to visitors from the US, Australia and Canada. EU/EEA licence holders do not need one.

What is parking like in Tossa de Mar?

Plan ahead in high season. The Blue Zone (Zona Azul) runs 1 June to 15 October, 10:00–21:00, at €0.75–€3.65/hour in zones like Pelegrí, Poble and Mar Menuda. The Mar Menuda car park offers an €18 day ticket, and the unpaved lots near the municipal sports centre are the best bet for free overnight parking, a 10–15 minute walk from the centre.

Which beaches near Tossa de Mar need a car, and which are walkable?

Tossa's town beaches - Platja Gran, Mar Menuda and Es Codolar - are walkable from the bus station, so no car is needed. Every other cove in the finder, south and north of Tossa and over in Lloret and Blanes, genuinely needs a car: public transport does not reach the turn-offs.

Where should I park at the Costa Brava coves in summer, and by what time?

Parking is the binding constraint in July and August. Most cove car parks and roadside laybys, especially southern coves like Cala Giverola and Cala Pola, fill by 10:00 to 11:00. Arrive early. For the town itself, use the Tossa de Mar parking guide.

Which coves near Tossa de Mar are best for snorkelling?

The coarse sand keeps the water clear. Mar Menuda (the Banyera de ses Dones pool, with a dive school) is excellent in town. Cala Llevado, Cala Futadera and Cala Giverola - a dive site with a wall, cave, tunnel and Posidonia meadows - are the standouts, and Cala Banys in Lloret is a rocky rockfish cove.

Are there naturist beaches near Tossa de Mar?

Yes. Cala Figuera, Cala Futadera (300 steps), Cala Vallpresona (a 1 km forest hike) and Cala del Senyor Ramon (a dirt track, 2WD only if dry) are naturist-friendly. In Lloret de Mar, the far eastern end of Sa Boadella is also a naturist spot.

Which Costa Brava beaches are best for families and hold a Blue Flag?

In Tossa, Platja Gran and Mar Menuda both hold a 2026 Blue Flag, with Mar Menuda the best for families. In Lloret, Santa Cristina, Sa Boadella and Cala Canyelles are Blue Flag beaches, and in Blanes so is Cala Sant Francesc. These offer the easiest family access and most facilities.

Can I reach the Costa Brava calas by bus or boat instead of a car?

Not practically. Moventis buses stop only in town centres, not at cove turn-offs, so getting off on the GI-682 means a dangerous roadside walk. The Dofi Jet boats link only the main town beaches (Blanes, Lloret, Cala Canyelles, Tossa) and never the isolated northern coves. A rental car is the only realistic way to explore them.

Costa Brava Beach and Cala Finder from Tossa de Mar