A day trip to Tossa and Blanes
We opted to hire a car to go to the Blanes Botanical Garden first, as it's better for taking photos than Tossa and has a more southern Italian feel.
Blanes – Botanical Garden and Castle Coast
The Jardi Botanic Marimurtra (entrance fee approximately €10) boasts over 2,000 species of Mediterranean plants, arranged in tiers along the hillside. Walking paths meander through flowerbeds and viewpoints, offering panoramic views of Blanes from the top. The contrast between the sea and greenery is picturesque and perfect for photography.
Castle and Coastal Loop
From the botanical garden, a 15-minute walk leads to Platja de Blanes beach. From there, walk east along the beach to Castell de Sant Joan and choose the "Blanes Beach - Sant Francesc Cove - Sant Joan Castle" loop hike (3.6 miles, moderate difficulty, 1 hour 52 minutes). Along the way, you'll pass the Sant Francesc cove, the Torre dels Nell tower, and the castle ruins, perfect for vintage-style photos. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Blanes coastline and fishing boats.
Second stop: Tossa de Mar – Medieval Ancient City and Film Location
· Hiking in the heart of the ancient city (priority given to off-the-beaten-path photo spots) After getting off the bus, walk 10 minutes to the Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar and take photos at the "dog hole" spot – a narrow stone archway framing the Mediterranean Sea, almost untouched by tourists, guaranteeing a perfect shot; walk 2 minutes along the cobblestone path to the Torre d'en Joanàs, a classic filming location for "The Legend of the Blue Sea". Standing at the archway, you can frame the castle, the blue sea, and fishing boats all in one shot; shooting with the light behind you will make the image even more luminous.
· 10:30-11:30 City Walls and Panoramic View
Climb the steps from the stone gate to the medieval city walls (free admission). The dappled sunlight on the eastern stone walls is perfect for taking evocative photos. Continue to the Mirador des Codolar hillside for a secluded panoramic viewpoint, offering a breathtaking perspective of the castle and the two bays overlapping—far superior to the usual viewpoint experience. Along the way, visit the Remnants of Gothic Church, where the church's broken windows form natural "painting frames," capturing the azure sea and sky—a truly immersive experience.
· Coastal Trail Hiking
Descend from the city walls and stroll along the Camí de Ronda coastal trail (Tossa section). Choose the "Tossa de Mar - Cala Pola" hiking route (3.5 miles, 1.5 hours round trip), winding through pine forests and passing the small bay of Cala L'Infern, where the water is emerald green and the beach is quiet and less crowded, perfect for a short stop to play in the water. If time is limited, you can just hike the first kilometer of the trail, enjoying the beautiful "green gradient beach" before turning back.
Restaurant Recommendation: popa, right on the coast. There are actually many restaurants along the coast, but this one was recommended by the driver; the food is excellent, and they even have a Chinese menu.