Roquetas de Mar

Roquetas de Mar is a seaside resort on the Almería coast in Andalusia, known for its long sandy beaches such as Playa Serena and Playa de las Salinas, along with a dry, sunny climate for much of the year. The seafront, lined with promenades and holiday apartments, stretches from the old town through to the livelier Aguadulce district after dark. The small 16th-century Castillo de Santa Ana, near the fishing harbour, reflects the coastline's defensive history against Barbary raids. Nearby, the salt marshes and the Punta Entinas-Sabinar nature reserve draw birdwatchers, particularly for sightings of flamingos. The town also has a marina, several golf courses and a family-friendly water park. The surrounding countryside is shaped by greenhouse farming, a defining feature of the Almería region, visible along the roads leading inland. Roquetas de Mar makes a convenient base for exploring the provincial capital, Almería, around twenty kilometres away, as well as the Cabo de Gata natural park further east along the coast.