Welcome to Catalonia, where serrated mountains fall into a cobalt Mediterranean and cities hum with art and appetite. The Costa Brava—literally “rugged coast”—has lured painters and poets for a century, while Barcelona, crowned by Antoni Gaudí’s surreal spires, continues to reinvent itself without losing its Gothic soul.

Your week blends two worlds: four laid-back days in Tossa de Mar, a postcard-perfect walled village with coves and cliff paths, followed by three culture-filled days in Barcelona. Expect golden beaches, fresh seafood, medieval towers, tapas bars, and world-class architecture.

Practical notes: Book Sagrada Família and Park Güell tickets in advance; Sundays can be quiet in small towns; dinner starts late (8:30–10:30 pm). Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestones and the Camí de Ronda hike, and carry a light layer—sea breezes can cool evenings even in summer.

Tossa de Mar

Cradled by 14th-century walls, Tossa de Mar wraps history around a sun-splashed bay. Inside the Vila Vella, lantern-lit alleys lead to lookouts where fishermen once kept watch; below, Platja Gran and tiny coves invite swims before lunch. The Roman villa of Els Ametllers whispers of an even older past in its mosaic fragments.

Days here move to the rhythm of the sea: early dips at Es Codolar, cliff walks to Cala Pola, grilled prawns and rice at family-run spots, then a slow sunset from the lighthouse. It’s also an easy base for kayak jaunts to Cala Giverola or quiet hours with a coffee and an ensaïmada from a neighborhood bakery.

Where to stay (search and compare): - Hotels.com – Tossa de Mar - VRBO – Tossa de Mar

Note: If you prefer a resort setup with a spa and pool, base yourself at the centrally located Hotel GHT Oasis Tossa & SPA near Platja Gran.

Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona, transfer to Tossa de Mar

Afternoon: Land at Barcelona (BCN) and head to Tossa de Mar. Easiest is the Moventis bus from Barcelona Estació del Nord to Tossa (about 1h45–2h10, roughly €14–20). Alternatively, train from Barcelona Sants to Blanes (1h20, ~€6–8) and onward bus to Tossa (40 minutes, ~€3–4). Compare and book buses/trains via Omio (trains) or Omio (buses). Check in, freshen up, and stroll the palm-lined seafront.

Evening: Meander up into the Vila Vella walls for golden-hour views over the bay. Dinner at Can Pini (grilled fish, Catalan stews) or Tapas del Mar (sea-view croquettes, arroz negro). Finish with gelato on the promenade.

Day 2: Camí de Ronda, coves, and lighthouse

Morning: Coffee and a warm ensaïmada at Pastisseria Granja Tomàs. Hike a cliff segment of the Camí de Ronda from Platja Gran toward Cala Pola (allow 2–3 hours round-trip with photo stops). Bring swim gear—the turquoise coves will tempt you.

Afternoon: Lunch back in town at Can Carlus (paellas, grilled cuttlefish). Walk up to the Faro de Tossa lighthouse museum for coastal panoramas, then descend to Platja d’es Codolar for a dip.

Evening: Sunset apéritif at a beach chiringuito (try a tinto de verano). Dinner at La Grotta for wood-fired pizza and salads if you want a lighter night, or La Roca de Tossa for hearty Catalan classics. Night stroll along the illuminated walls.

Day 3: Kayaks, boat coves, and chill seaside dining

Morning: Rent a kayak or join a guided paddle to Cala Giverola to see sea caves and fish-rich shallows; seas are calmest early. Non-paddlers can take the coastal boat to cove-hop between beaches.

Afternoon: Simple seafood lunch—think grilled sardines and pa amb tomàquet—at a beachfront spot. Siesta by the pool or browse local boutiques for ceramics and espardenyes (rope-soled shoes).

Evening: Try a casual tapas crawl: Bar Josep for anchovies and olives, then Tapas del Mar for patatas bravas and razor clams. Share a crema catalana to finish.

Day 4: Roman villa, markets, and one last swim

Morning: Visit the open-air remains of the Roman villa dels Ametllers and the compact Municipal Museum for mosaics and coastal art. Coffee top-up near the old town.

Afternoon: Free time for the beach—Es Codolar is intimate; Platja Gran has services. Pick a late lunch at Can Sophia (seasonal Mediterranean plates) or a beachside rice at Can Carlus if you missed it.

Evening: Early night, or a final wander on the ramparts. Pack for tomorrow’s city shift.

Getting to Barcelona (Day 5, morning): Direct bus Tossa → Barcelona Estació del Nord (1h35–2h10, ~€14–20). Or taxi to Blanes, then train to Barcelona Sants. Compare options and reserve seats with Omio (buses) and Omio (trains).

Barcelona

Barcelona dazzles with contrasts: Roman walls tucked beside Gothic cloisters, Modernisme facades curling like seashells, and markets bursting with seafood and seasonal produce. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família still rises, a living construction site and spiritual beacon in stone.

Neighborhoods each have a mood—Gòtic for history, El Born for wine bars, Eixample for grand avenues and Gaudí apartments, and Gràcia for village squares. Come hungry: cava and anchovies in bodegas, seafood straight from the market, and contemporary kitchens pushing Catalan cuisine forward.

Where to stay (search and compare): - Hotels.com – Barcelona - VRBO – Barcelona

Getting to/around Barcelona: For flights to/from Europe and in-country trains, use Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). City transport is easy: metro, buses, and plenty of walking.

Day 5: Gothic Quarter, Born, and a flamenco night

Morning: Travel from Tossa to Barcelona and check in. Coffee at Nømad Coffee Lab & Shop (El Born) or Satan’s Coffee Corner (Gòtic) for excellent specialty roasts.

Afternoon: Explore the Gothic Quarter: the Cathedral cloister’s geese, Plaça del Rei, and remnants of Roman Barcino. Wander into El Born for boutiques and the Santa Maria del Mar basilica. Lunch at La Paradeta (Sagrada Família)—pick your seafood at the counter, then find a seat for a casual feast—or Cal Pep (Born) for sizzling clams and tortilla.

Evening: Book a passionate flamenco performance on La Rambla:

Tablao Flamenco Cordobes at Rambla Barcelona with Dinner Option. Pair with a pre-show bite at El Xampanyet (anchovies, cava) or Bar del Pla (Iberian pork, artichokes). Nightcap along the Born’s leafy Passeig del Born.

Day 6: Gaudí Day – Park Güell and Sagrada Família

Morning: Start with a guided visit to Park Güell to understand the symbolism and gain early light on the mosaic terraces.

Park Güell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket. Post-tour coffee in nearby Gràcia at Onna Coffee, then stroll through Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia.

Afternoon: Lunch at Cervesería Catalana (classic tapas; arrive early or expect a queue). Then meet your guide at the basilica for reserved entry and context that brings Gaudí’s geometry and light to life.

Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line Guided Tour & Tickets. Afterwards, view Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló from the outside along Passeig de Gràcia.

Evening: Dinner reservations at Gresca (boundary-pushing Catalan plates) or Bodega La Palma (old-school bodega charm). For dessert, swing by Granja Viader for a cacaolat and crema catalana.

Day 7: Montserrat, markets, and departure

Morning–Early Afternoon: If your flight is late afternoon/evening, take a small-group half-day to Montserrat for monastery history, mountain vistas, and local wines/tapas. You’ll ride the cogwheel train up the massif and be back in Barcelona early afternoon.

Montserrat Half-Day Tour with Tapas and Gourmet Wines. Prefer to stay in town? Do a final circuit of La Boqueria market (arrive before 11 am) and grab lunch at El Quim de la Boqueria (fried eggs with baby squid) instead.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. For flights within Europe and rail to elsewhere in Spain, compare times and fares on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Aim to leave the center 2.5–3 hours before an international flight; the airport express and metro both run frequently.

Food & drink short list (Barcelona):

• El Xampanyet (Born): House cava, anchovies, and boquerones at a lively counter.
• La Paradeta: Market-style pick-your-seafood, cooked to order; family-friendly.
• Cervesería Catalana (Eixample): Tapas institution; go off-peak to avoid queues.
• Gresca (Eixample): Contemporary Catalan cooking and a serious wine list.
• Granja Viader (Raval): Historic dairy-bar for xocolata and crema catalana.

Extra tips: Reserve Gaudí sites and flamenco ahead, keep valuables secure in crowds, and pack reef-safe sunscreen for Costa Brava swims. If weather turns, swap a beach morning for Museu Picasso or MNAC on Montjuïc.

Estimated transport costs and times:

• BCN Airport → Barcelona center: 30–40 minutes by shuttle/metro (~€5–7).
• Barcelona → Tossa de Mar (bus): 1h35–2h10 (~€14–20). Book on Omio (buses).
• Barcelona ↔ Montserrat (on tour): typically 5–6 hours round-trip.
• Flights to Barcelona (within Europe): often 1–3 hours, ~€50–€150 (season-dependent). Search via Omio (flights).

Seven days in Catalonia gives you two vacations in one—salt-tinged mornings on the Costa Brava and art-soaked afternoons in Barcelona. You’ll head home with sea in your hair, Gaudí’s geometry in your camera roll, and a list of tapas favorites to revisit.