Things To Do in Costa de Almeria

Granada’s Alhambra complex is a real must-see while you’re in these parts. It’s a two-hour drive from Roquetas, but it’s well worth the effort. Sprawled on a hilltop with an impressive mountain backdrop, the Alhambra is made up of three main parts – the Nasrid Palaces, the Citadel and the Generalife Gardens. It was originally built by the Moors, so the architecture is mostly Islamic – all mosaic tiles, intricate wood carvings and decorated arches. It gets pretty busy, so it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance.

This action-packed stretch sits next to Roquetas de Mar’s Urban Beach. It’s a Blue Flag spot and the golden sands make it a firm favourite with the bucket-and-spade brigade. There are plenty of loungers and parasols to go round, and you can have a go at things like windsurfing and sailing.

Built in the 1500s on the site of an earthquake-flattened mosque, Almeria’s cathedral sits right in the heart of the city’s old quarter. Architecturally, it’s a bit of a mish-mash of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance, with fortified towers in each corner – once upon a time, Almeria’s population would hide here when the city was under attack by pirates. Highlights include the ornately decorated altarpiece, Gothic ribbed ceiling and carved wooden choir stalls.

This super-wide stretch of course, golden sand stretches out for 3 kilometres in front of Roquetas de Mar. It’s a great place for trying your hand at watersports, with activities like water-skiing, sailing and jet-skiing on offer. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, too, so it’s easy to grab a bite to eat.

Roquetas de Mar’s aquarium is the largest in Andalucia, so it’s a must-do if you’re into marine life. It’s full of weird and wonderful sea creatures, from clown and butterfly fish to piranhas. There’s an interactive tank, too, where you can stroke starfish and stingrays, and certified divers can even take a dip with sharks. You’ll find the aquarium about 5 minutes’ drive from the town centre, near the Gran Plaza shopping centre.

Cerillos Beach hugs the edge of the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Park, about 15 minutes’ drive from Roquetas de Mar. It’s a dune-backed stretch, which is usually pretty empty – even in the height of summer. There’s a bit of a sea breeze here most of the time, so it’s a good spot for wind and kite-surfers.

If you fancy a bit of watery fun, head to this fun-filled waterpark. There are 6 swimming pools to splash around in, and when it comes to slides you can opt for white-knuckle numbers like the Black Hole or Kamikaze, or more sedate rides, like the Rio Bravo. There are even multi-lane slides where you can race each other. Food-wise, there’s a self-service restaurant, pizzeria, café and a couple of snack bars, as well as a picnic area if you’ve brought your own lunch.

This wide stretch of golden sand continues on from Roquetas de Mar’s Urban Beach. Its clean sands and safe waters have earned it a Blue Flag, so it’s a popular spot with families. Loungers and parasols are neatly laid out, and there are watersports like sailing and windsurfing to try.

Budding Bill Oddies will be in their element in this reserve – more than 150 species of bird have been spotted here. Just 10 minutes by car from Roquetas de Mar, this 15-kilometre stretch of coastline is made up of sand dunes, empty beaches, wetlands, lakes and salt pans. There’s a fantastic sandy beach which rarely has more than a handful of people on it, but the real stars of this place are the pink flamingos that dot the salt marshes.

Aguadulce is a little suburb a couple of kilometres along the coast from Roquetas de Mar. The beach here is a favourite with the locals, but because the sands are so wide, it never feels crowded. There are a couple of play areas for little ones, and a clutch of seafood restaurants nearby dishing up the catch of the day.

Drive 15 minutes southwest of Roquetas de Mar and you’ll hit the dunes of the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Park. It’s here you’ll find Cerrillos Beach. It’s a bit of a hidden gem – even in summer the sands are usually pretty empty. There tends to be a pretty good sea breeze here, so it’s a good spot for wind or kite-surfing.

Sitting on a hilltop with sweeping views over the city, the Alcazaba is Almeria’s version of the Alhambra. Built back in the 10^th century, the fortress complex includes watchtowers, a castle and a mosque. The complex is open to visitors year-round, although it’s closed on Mondays. You can pick up free guides at the entrance, which give you a good overview of the Alcazaba and its history.

Half an hour’s drive from Roquetas you’ll find the port city of Almeria. There’s a lot to keep you busy here, from smart museums to the city’s fortress-like cathedral. Get your bearings along La Rambla – a wide, tree-lined avenue that splits the city in half. To the west, you’ll find the tranquil squares and Medieval buildings of the old town, while on the east side, the new town is home to stylish boutiques and art galleries.

If you like your beaches with a side order of peace and quiet, head for the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. It’s about an hours’ drive from Roquetas de Mar, and there are endless beaches to choose from, whether you fancy rugged coves or huge, kilometre-long sweeps of sand. Take a picnic – most don’t have much in the way of facilities.

For a fun-filled day out, this waterpark is a corker. There are loads of pools, including a wave pool and a kids’ section, and when it comes to slides you can brave daredevil attractions like Kamikaze and Black Hole, or go for something slightly more sedate like the Rio Bravo. When lunchtime rolls around there’s a restaurant, café and snack bar to choose from, plus a picnic area. The park is usually open from June ‘til the beginning of September.

Although Roquetas is quite a modern resort, you’ll find a handful of historical sights dotted around the town. First up is the 17^th-century church of La Virgen del Rosario, which is home to a striking altarpiece that depicts the life of the Virgin Mary. Down by the harbour there’s Santa Ana Castle – an ancient fort which has been carefully reconstructed and now houses a cultural centre. And all along the coast, you can spy remains of the town’s old fortifications.

On the outskirts of Roquetas de Mar, you’ll find the town’s very own 18-hole golf course – Playa Serena. It’s a pretty flat course, but you’ll find a decent helping of lakes, water features and bunkers to test your skills. There are a few other good courses in the area, too. La Envia is an 18-hole, par 70 course near the village of Vicar, about 20 minutes’ away by car, while Alboran Golf is a Championship course in El Toyo Retamar, about 45 minutes’ drive from Roquetas de Mar.

Sandwiched between the sea and the Sierra Alhamilla mountains is the village of Nijar. It’s a textbook Andalucian village, with whitewashed houses and a maze of little lanes, which does a great line in traditional arts and crafts. Spend a bit of time browsing the ceramics and woven jarapas blankets before stopping for lunch at one of the backstreet tapas bars.

This stretch of caramel sand sits right in front of Roquetas de Mar’s town centre and unravels for three kilometres. There are loads of watersports up for grabs here, from jet and water-skiing to fishing and sailing. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Villages up and down the Andalucian coast – including Roquetas de Mar – celebrate the patron saint of fishermen on 16th July every year. There’s usually a parade which leads from the local church down to the seafront, as well as fireworks, live music and dancing which goes on ‘til the wee hours.

If you’re a fan of all things fishy, get down to the aquarium in Roquetas. It’s Andalucia’s largest and is home to all manner of marine life. It’s a great place for kids – they can check out piranhas and even stroke stingrays as they swim past. And adults aren’t forgotten either. If you’re a certified diver you can take the plunge into the shark tank.

Head to Almeria in the last two weeks of August for this proper Spanish knees-up. The whole city takes on a carnival vibe, with music, dancing, parades and sports competitions. There’s also a traditional flamenco festival in the Plaza Vieja.

A few kilometres down the road from Roquetas you’ll find the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Park. It’s a 15-kilometre stretch of protected coastline made up of dunes, deserted beaches, freshwater lakes, salt pans and wetlands. There are loads of different plant species here, and the remote location means that it’s a haven for our feathered friends, too, so bring your binoculars if you fancy a spot of bird-watching.

Roquetas might seem like a pretty modern place, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find that the town hides a few historic treasures. Firstly, you’ve got the church of La Virgen del Rosario. The highlight here is the impressive altarpiece, which depicts the life of the Virgin Mary. Then there’s Santa Ana Castle, an old fort that was built to protect the town from marauding pirates. In fact, all along the coastline you’ll be able to see remains of Roquetas’ centuries-old fortifications.