Snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming and boat trips are some of the most popular things to do in Tossa de Mar. There are three beautiful beaches: Platje Gran, Mar Menuda, and Cadolar. The nearby Lloret de Mar resort offers more active pursuits like waterskiing, jet skiing, and parasailing. However, the winding cobbled streets of Tossa de Mar are also worth exploring if you can drag yourself away from the ocean. There are a few historical buildings and ruins around the city, and a museum that has some paintings by Chagall, who spent time in Tossa de Mar. About 18 miles (30km) from Tossa de Mar is Marineland, which has animal shows, waterslides, and a children's zoo.

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.

Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.

Tossa de Mar's popularity in summer means it can be extremely hard to find accommodation unless booked well in advance. During low season it can be very quiet, with not much of a nightlife.

Tossa de Mar doesn't have a wild nightlife culture for young singles, however there are plenty of bars and restaurants for a more relaxed night out. Many restaurants host live music and stay open past midnight during tourist season. Bars like Ardilla or Tahiti are good venues to find Spanish music like rumba or flamenco, and Trinquet is the place to go for acid jazz. Other places like Chaplin's and The Mediterraneo are popular with British tourists.

The prices at restaurants in Tossa de Mar tend to go up the closer you get to the beach. With over 300 places to eat in Tossa de Mar, there are a range of cuisines to choose from, including tapas, traditional Spanish food, and various international offerings. Tursia, La Luna, Restaurant Pizzeria Bar Lluis and L'Ajustada come highly recommended in Tossa de Mar for good food. Can Curry is the best place to go for a full English breakfast or a plate of fish and chips.

Shopping in Tossa de Mar offers a selection of Spanish souvenirs, including ceramics, leather goods and clothing. Most shops are open from 10am to 8pm, with a siestatime in the afternoons. For true bargain-hunters, the duty-free shopping of Andorra is only an hour away by car.

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).