Roquetas de Mar: Coast, Nature and History

Coast

Roquetas de Mar is located on the coast west of the city of Almería. The town covers a 16-kilometre stretch of the Almería coast, 15 kilometres of which are beaches. Playa de Cerrillos is 2,620 metres long. It is located within the protected Punta Entinas-Sabinar nature reserve. With the exception of Playa de Cerrillos, the beaches of Roquetas de Mar are urban beaches. These urban beaches have road access and seasonal daily cleaning. There is also police surveillance, first-aid stations and a dedicated ambulance service.

Playa de Las Salinas is a 1,330-metre-long urban beach. Its name derives from the former salt pans of San Rafael. A wide range of water sports is possible at Playa de Las Salinas. Posidonia seagrass meadows can be found off Playa de Cerrillos and other beaches along the Roquetas de Mar coast. Diving in these seagrass meadows is considered particularly impressive.

Nature

The Punta Entinas-Sabinar nature reserve is a coastal area. Living dunes up to seven metres high rise there. Salt-tolerant vegetation includes juniper stands, mastic shrubs and halophytes. There are also temporary lagoons and pools. Numerous paths are suitable for cycling and hiking, and there are good opportunities for birdwatching. The temporary lagoons of Punta Entinas-Sabinar attract waterfowl and migratory birds, including flamingos, grey herons, avocets and ducks.

Archaeology

The Ribera de la Algaida o de Turaniana archaeological zone in Roquetas de Mar (Almería) is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Ribera de la Algaida o de Turaniana archaeological site shows a sequence from the Argáric Middle Bronze Age through to the Middle Ages. It contains significant finds from the Roman period. The so-called Puerto de los Bajos belongs to the archaeological site. It was used as an anchorage.

History and Culture

The Castillo de Santa Ana is a 17th-century fortress. During attacks by pirates and corsairs, it served as a refuge for the inhabitants of Roquetas de Mar. The Castillo houses exhibition rooms. Its courtyard provides space for lectures, concerts and performances.

The restored Faro de Roquetas de Mar is used for cultural purposes. It houses an exhibition room. The Aula del Mar is an interactive museum at the port of Roquetas de Mar. There, visitors can respectfully discover and experience the city’s connection to the sea. The Aula del Mar displays traditional fishing equipment from Roquetas de Mar and explains the development of local fishing.

More places: Alcolea, San Isidro de Níjar, Marchena, Vélez-Blanco, Agua Amarga, El Pilar, Bayárcal

For the overarching travel overview: Almeria.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Roquetas de Mar: Beaches, port and holiday tips.