Roquetas de Mar Travel Guide

Home to heavenly golden beaches and spectacular sapphire seas, the popular resort town of Roquetas de Mar is a dream holiday destination along the Mediterranean. Year-round sun, culture and a tremendous food scene await visitors to this part of southern Spain.

Over the course of its history, the Roquetas de Mar coast was visited by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans before the Arabs founded the city of Almeria in 955. An enchanting warren of alley-like Moorish streets remains and ties the setting to its history. However, hotel and apartment complexes are beginning to dominate the skyline, especially along the long, sandy beaches adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business, and shops selling local crafts jostle with many restaurants and bars. Myriad activities are on offer, from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.

Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena), a bull ring and a specially designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather. The resort is popular with both Spanish and foreign tourists and the spacious beaches ensure that it feels less over-crowded than many other Spanish beach resorts.

Shopping

Shopping in Roquetas is aimed at tourists, and the usual souvenir options such as postcards, t-shirts and beachwear are on offer. There are a few markets worth visiting, particularly the Thursday open-air market.

Restaurants

Costa de Almeria is known for its fresh produce and seafood, and the port of Roquetas de Mar receives its fresh catch every morning. Visitors will find many great seafood restaurants and tapas bars on the promenade. There are a variety of international restaurants to suit tourists' tastes, but a great way to sample local cuisine is at one of the many tapas restaurants. British and American staples are easily found and the selection of restaurants should be more than sufficient for all tastes.

Nightlife

There isn't much of a nightclub culture in Roquetas de Mar, but the hotels offer a variety of entertainment for a low-key night out, including live music and shows. The Teatro Auditorio hosts classical music and dance performances. A few hotels have their own dance floors, including the Sabinal and Zoraida hotels. The Bull Ring also offers live entertainment. M25 is a popular British themed sports pub for tourists.

Holiday activities

Aside from the lovely beaches in Roquetas, there are interesting architectural and historical sites to visit, including the Our Lady of the Rosary Church and the Santa Ana Castle, as well as Roman ruins at the Torrequebrada archeological site. There are many scenic spots in the nearby reserves, including Punta de Entinas Sabinar Natural Park and Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Roquetas de Mar is also conveniently close to Almeria, which is worth a daytrip when holidaymakers get tired of the sun, sea and sand. Roquetas hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Three Wise Men Parade in January, the Night of San Juan in June, and the Moragas in December.

Any negatives?

Jellyfish tend to visit the shores of Roquetas de Mar, which can make swimming and water activities difficult. The town has tried to put buoys and netting up to stop the jellyfish but tourists should still take precautions. Entertainment and nightlife is very low key.