Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona: Small Group, 8 People Max

Boat Through Hidden Coves, Then Lunch in a Medieval Fishing Town

You get picked up from your Barcelona hotel between 8 and 9am and driven south to the Costa Brava. In Lloret de Mar, you board a boat to explore hidden coves and swim in crystalline water, then continue to Tossa de Mar for a walking tour of the medieval old town and its castle, followed by a fresh seafood lunch. A final stop at Sant Feliu de Guixols rounds out the afternoon before your guide returns you to your accommodation. The group stays under eight people, which keeps the pace intimate and the stops flexible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Costa Brava tour with boat and villages

• Pick up from Barcelona accommodation
• Drive to Costa Brava coast
• Stop for photos of coastline
• Arrive at Lloret de Mar
• Take boat to explore hidden coves
• Relax and enjoy marine views
• Drive to Tossa de Mar
• Walk through medieval old town
• Visit medieval castle and enjoy views
• Have seafood meal in Tossa de Mar
• Drive scenic road to Sant Feliu De Guixols
• Stop for photos and swim at beach
• Explore Sant Feliu De Guixols village
• Return to Barcelona accommodation

The Experience

You're probably thinking a day trip from Barcelona means crowds and a rushed itinerary. This one caps the group at eight people, which changes everything — your guide can actually steer toward the quiet spots and time the boat ride so you're not jostling with fifty other tourists. The pickup happens between 8 and 9am from your hotel or apartment, and then you're heading south toward the Costa Brava, the rocky, cove-studded coastline that looks nothing like the city beaches you left behind.

Lloret de Mar is the first real stop. You board a boat there and spend time on the water, watching the cliffs and hidden coves slide past. The boat has underwater windows, so you can see the marine life without getting wet if you don't want to. Most people do want to — there's usually a swim stop at one of the coves, the water clear enough that you can see the bottom. It's the kind of thing that sounds simple until you're actually floating in it, surrounded by nothing but rock and water and the sound of the coast.

After the boat, you head to Tossa de Mar, a medieval fishing village that's managed to stay small and charming. The old town, called Vella Vila, is a tangle of narrow streets with a castle overlooking everything. Your guide walks you through it, and then there's lunch — fresh seafood, whatever the boats brought in that morning, cooked the local way. It's not fancy, but it tastes like the place. Before heading back to Barcelona, you stop at Sant Feliu de Guixols, another fishing village further down the coast, and the drive back includes a few photo stops so you're not just sitting in the car thinking about what you saw.

The whole day runs from morning pickup to late afternoon drop-off. You're in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops, which matters on a hot day. If you're traveling with kids, let them know the ages when you book — proper child seats are available. The group size is the real difference here; you move at a pace that lets you actually absorb the place instead of rushing to the next photo op.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off in Barcelona (8–9am start), professional guide throughout, air-conditioned vehicle transport, the boat ride from Lloret de Mar with underwater viewing windows and a swim stop at a hidden cove, a walking tour of Tossa de Mar's medieval old town and castle, a seafood lunch in Tossa de Mar, a scenic drive to Sant Feliu de Guixols with photo stops, and small-group pacing with a maximum of eight people.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by In Out Barcelona Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Costa Brava's best coves and villages in one day without arranging transport, timing the boat, or finding lunch — the small group size is what makes the quiet stops and flexible pacing possible.

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Top questions

How long is the tour?

The full day runs from hotel pickup (8–9am) through late afternoon drop-off. Plan on roughly 10 hours total, including drive time, boat ride, walking, and lunch.

What's included in the price?

Hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off in Barcelona, professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, the boat ride with underwater windows, entry to Tossa de Mar's medieval castle, and a seafood lunch in Tossa de Mar.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There's a swim stop during the boat ride at one of the coves. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to get in the water.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you should specify their ages when booking so the proper child seat can be arranged. Strollers are also allowed.

What if I don't want to swim?

Swimming is optional. You can stay on the boat, use the underwater windows to watch marine life, or simply enjoy the views from the deck.

How many people are in the group?

Maximum eight people, which keeps the tour intimate and allows the guide to access quieter spots that larger groups cannot reach.

What should I bring?

Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a camera. The vehicle is air-conditioned, but bring a light layer for the boat ride if the weather is cool.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A fresh seafood lunch is included in Tossa de Mar, prepared using local recipes with the day's catch.