Put the buzz of the big city in your rear-view mirror when you drive 90 minutes up the coast from Barcelona to reach Tossa de Mar, AKA ‘the pearl of the Costa Brava’. It’s part modern beach town and part historical hideaway, with its tourist-friendly – but not overcrowded – beaches and an impossibly charming Medieval old town. While the fortified walls and seven towers of Vila Vella are a real draw for traditional sightseers, the Camí de Ronda coastal path also lures hikers and nature lovers with rugged cliffside walks and cinematic views of the Balearic Sea. You’ll get a real taste of Spain here, tucking into classic Catalan dishes alongside locals at restaurants – Simfònia de peix, a rustic fish stew, is a must-try. For a quieter slice of the Costa Brava beach life, with a side of authentic Spanish community, Tossa de Mar is hard to beat.

Top three things to do in Tossa de Mar:

1. Get stuck in to the Medieval old town

It’s impossible to rush around here. The thick, cool, fortified walls invite you into a slower pace of life, so embrace it as you wander the winding cobblestoned streets that have weathered the past 800 years. Stop by the Municipal Museum for a quick history lesson on Tossa de Mar’s old town, which is the only surviving fortified Medieval town on the Catalan coast. Gaze up at Castillo de Tossa de Mar, the iconic fortress that looks out over the sea. But for the best views, you’ll want to head up the lighthouse, which replaced one of the original towers. Top tip – go there at sunset for the best photos.

2. Head to one of the area’s hidden beaches

While the main beach, Platja Gran, is a great spot to lay your towel for the day, Tossa has a few hidden beaches dotted along the coast that are well worth exploring. If you head north on the Cami de Ronda coastal path for three kilometres, you’ll reach Cala Bona. It’s a small yet perfectly formed cove framed by green rocky cliffs on three sides, keeping it secluded and perfect for a quiet retreat. Or, if you want to feel like you’re literally escaping the castle, you can head through a small gateway in the city walls and follow the stone steps to Codolar Beach, right below the ramparts. The journey to this beach is a real hit on Instagram, and with good reason.

3. Try a snorkelling or scuba diving trip

To find the livelier side of Tossa de Mar, you need to head into the water. From kitesurfing and kayaking to snorkelling and scuba diving, you’ll find watersports along the beaches here to suit every level of adventurer. The clear waters and rocky coves along the coast make spotting parrotfish and damsel fish easy as they dart over the seabed. And, with a snorkelling or scuba diving tour, there are plenty of nooks and crannies you can explore to see octopus and crabs hiding out.