Roquetas de Mar, Guía Turismo Inglés 2024

english version

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide

Un Mar de Rutas

Sí, quiero Roquetas de Mar

summary

Discover Roquetas de Mar

Identity of Roquetas de Mar

Origins of the city

Roquetas de Mar and Fishing

Roquetas de Mar and Agriculture

Roquetas de Mar and Tourism

Festivals and traditions

Monuments

Historical Monuments:

Santa Ana ‘s Castle

Lighthouse

Anfitheatre

Landmarks:

Auditorium Theater

Bullring and bullfighting museum

Aula del Mar

Natural Monuments:

Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area

Ribera de La Algaida Wetland

Posidonia Oceanica Barrier Reef

Quality Beaches

4

Sport Tourism

A Sea of Flavors

Leisure and Active Tourism

Flea Market

Aquarium

Water Park

International Karting

Aguadulce’s fishing port and marina

Gran Plaza Shopping Park

Food Markets

Bicycle lanes and wide boardwalks

Certified and adapted beach services

Diving

Golf

Paddle tennis and Tennis Club

Water sports and municipal swimming pool

Sailing Clubs in marinas

Sports halls

Soccer clubs and group sports

Calisthenics circuits

Healthy parks

Skating

Useful Phone Numbers

Maps

de Mar tourístic guide

Roquetas

discover Roquetas

de Mar

Welcome to the Mediterranean and Touristic City of Roquetas de Mar; the City Council, through the Tourism Department, aims to make your visit more enjoyable by presenting the excellences of our land in this Guide that we offer to our citizen and visitors.

Roquetas de Mar is the ideal tourist destination to discover and enjoy its varied and high-quality turistic offer throughout the year. This edition includes attractive itineraries for you to visit our city and coast to make your stay in Roquetas de Mar an unforgettable experience.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 7

..

identity

The city of Roquetas de Mar in Almería is located on the coast, at the western end of the Gulf of Almería; it is about 18 km from the Capital, although one of its tourist centers, Aguadulce, is only 10 km away. With a total area of 60 km, an altitude of 7 m above sea level, and a population of over 110,000 registered inhabitants (2024), it is bordered to the north by the foothills of Sierra de Gádor and to the south by the Mediterranean Sea

The foundation of the Municipality of Roquetas de Mar breaks stereotypes and can be considered an important part of the historical development of the region due to its dominant geographical location on the coast, which will influence the events of the Alpujarra as a recipient of different cultures.

10 Roquetas de Mar guía turística

Origins of the city

Roquetas de Mar emerges from the Mediterranean Sea; its origins are linked to Phoenician sailors, explorers, and traders. The first definitive settlements known were the fishing neighborhoods of the Felix City Council dating back to the time of the Catholic Monarchs

Those neighborhoods were named “Las Roquetas,” and their nerve center was the Castle of Santa Ana

Roman Roquetas

Prehistoric, Iberian and Roman settlements welcomed the coastline of Roquetas de Mar, highlighting on the banks of “La Algaida” an important population center called “Turaniana”, a city with its necropolis and port, which was characterized by the exploitation of marine resources, fishing, and salted fish. It is currently hidden under the Ribera de La Algaida.

Arab Roquetas

In the 13th century, when the Nazarí Kingdom of Granada was created by Muhammad I, the area of Roquetas de Mar is an integral part of it and belongs to the “taha” of Felix. In the 14th century, the Sultan of Granada, Yusuf I, ordered the construction of a network of coastal towers, one of which is the Watchtower that gave rise to the Castle of Santa Ana. To this day, the Tower of Cerrillos, located in the Punta EntinasSabinar Natural Area, is still preserved.

11

Fishing has always been a key sector in the economic development of the city. Today, it remains as a source of wealth for the hospitality sector as fresh fish from the Alboran Sea contributes great value to local gastronomy.

12

Roquetas de Mar and Fishing

tourístic guide

Roquetas de Mar

Roquetas de Mar, with more than 2,000 hectares dedicated to the production of protected crops, is one of the main agricultural producing and exporting areas in Spain. Its farmers have been at the forefront of the most innovative cultivation techniques to produce higher quality food for consumers, while being environmentally friendly.

With Biological Control, Roquetas farmers lead this “Green Revolution”, demonstrating once again the level of commitment and technology to obtain highquality and safer fruits.

14

Roquetas de Mar and Agriculture

Roquetas de Mar and Tourism

Roquetas de Mar is the favorite tourist destination of Almería, receiving the highest number of visitors and one of the most visited cities in Andalusia. Tourism is one of the economic engines of the city. In addition, it has a large hotel fleet that extends along its entire coastline. Wide beaches, modern hotel complexes, a varied gastronomic offer, and natural landscapes are some of the tourist attractions of the city.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 15

Festivals and traditions

The identity of this city is linked to the sea, as its name indicates, and this is reflected in its festivals and traditions.

Las Moragas

One of the most rooted and curious celebrations is Las Moragas, surprisingly celebrated on December 29th on the beach. The good weather allows this ancestral tradition to take place, which originated in a maritime celebration that took place when the sardine fishing ended, and the fishermen gathered around a fire to grill fish. This party has not only been maintained but has become a massive event enjoyed by thousands of people that say goodbye to the year by the sea.

Night of San Juan

On the Night of San Juan, the entire coastline is illuminated with bonfires, and tradition dictates washing one’s face in the sea at midnight on June 23rd and making a wish.

16

On July 16th, the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of fishermen, is especially celebrated in Aguadulce. Also, on July 26th, the typical festivals of the port of Santa Ana are celebrated, highlighting the maritime atmosphere and devotion. The Virgin is moved from the church to the lighthouse of the port, where her face is washed, and she is carried in a procession on boats. This festival, of tourist interest, is experienced with special feeling by the people of Roquetas, especially at the moment of the arrival of the virgin at the castle, where a fisherman washes her face and then a maritime procession takes place.

These festivities, which take place on October 7th, are enjoyed during the day and at night. During the day with the Midday Fair, a way to get to know the gastronomy of the area and have fun at the same time, alongside thousands of people, in the designated areas. And at night with the Night Fair, with concerts, various activities, markets, and attractions for all ages.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 17

Santa Ana’s Festival Virgen del Rosario Festivities

monuments

18

Historical Monuments

Santa Ana’s Castle

It is an old fortification from the early 17th century, initially built to guard the production and shipment of salt from the salt flats, however, due to its location, it became a castle. At the end of this century, the fortress succumbed to attacks and earthquakes. It was in 2003 when its reconstruction was completed, and it currently has numerous exhibition halls and a historical recreation center.

It is the most emblematic monument of our city, a cultural space that must be visited.

20

Lighthouse

This building served for a long period of time, serving as the residence of the person in charge of the port area of the town. Currently, this Lighthouse belongs to the City Council and is used for cultural purposes, hosting high-quality exhibitions throughout the year.

In its vicinity, there is an outdoor amphitheater that, together with the Castle of Santa Ana, forms an area of great historical value for the city.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 21

Landmarks

Auditorium Theater

The auditorium theater of Roquetas de Mar is an international reference within the cultural sphere, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. It has 1,400 seats to accommodate all those who want to enjoy top-level shows. Over a thousand national and international artists have performed on its stage.

Bullring and bullfighting museum

The Bullring of Roquetas de Mar, located in the heart of the city, was inaugurated in 2002 and has become a reference for the National Fair of the Province of Almería. It has a capacity for 7,800 people.

The big bullfighting fair is held in July, on the occasion of the Santa Ana’s Fair. It also hosts major concerts during the summer season and cultural events of all kinds.

Inside this building, there are 5 rooms where artistic exhibitions, a tour of the history of Roquetas de Mar, and the national bullfighting history are carried out, with a permanent exhibition of bullfighting items and press rooms and presentations.

22

It is a museum that highlights the sustainability of the tourist destination of Roquetas de Mar. Visitors find in it a space to discover the Posidonia Oceanica and the biodiversity of the seabeds of Roquetas interactively.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 23

Aula Del Mar

Natural Monuments

Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area

A unique natural area formed by coastal dunes and clayey plains that is home to species such as “entinas” and “sabinas.” During autumn, birdwatching can be done, such as flamingos and gray herons. Additionally, this space allows visitors to enjoy pristine beaches freely.

24

28

This privileged natural enclave is located between the Aguadulce Urbanization and the Salinas de Roquetas de Mar.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 29

Ribera de La Algaida Wetland

Posidonia Oceanica is one of the natural jewels of the seabed of Roquetas de Mar. It is a flowering plant that forms meadows under the sea and enriches the marine ecosystem, allowing the survival of numerous species and improving the quality of our waters.

30

Posidonia Oceanica Barrier Reef

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 31

quality .. beaches

Roquetas de Mar has a total of 16 km of beaches, which are undoubtedly one of its main tourist attractions, as they can be used practically all the year.

32

7 of its beaches are urban, from Aguadulce to Playa Serena, all certified with distinctions such as Q for Quality and S for Sustainability, Blue Flag, ISO 9001, and Ecoplayas. Completely accessible, safe, and sustainable spaces equipped with all the services and resources so that they can be used by visitors and residents alike.

Roquetas de Mar also has natural beaches, such as Playa de Cerrillos, which is included in the Punta Entinas Sabinar Natural Area, and Playa de Los Bajos, a perfect space for sports such as windsurfing, maintaining its natural appearance.

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 33

a sea ... of flavors

The gastronomy of Roquetas de Mar is characterized by offering the products and delicacies of a maritime fishing area, highlighting the quality of its fish such as red mullet, rockfish, snapper, and sea bass, which contribute to the preparation of exquisite dishes such as “fish broth,” “pickled fish” of Arab origin, as well as the “separate rice,” a unique maritime typical dish in the entire province.

Roquetas de Mar is considered, for its fruits and vegetables, as the orchard of Europe. In our gastronomy, these products are used for preparing exquisite dishes such as grilled vegetables and are used as the basis for all our typical dishes.

In Roquetas de Mar, there is a wide gastronomic offer of restaurants, bars, and beach bars, where wonderful sea views are combined with top-quality products.

34

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 35

leisure and sports

Its nature, its landscape, its two marinas for sports and leisure, its golf course, its countless sports facilities, its surroundings... make Roquetas de Mar a “cult of leisure.”

The sea offers an unbeatable setting for the practice of water sports; dive into it and you will enjoy the sea breeze and the gentle lull of the waves.

36

38

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 39

Diving

The underwater depths of Roquetas de Mar have a great variety of flora and fauna that inhabit the extensive meadows of Posidonia oceanica, a mediterranean marine plant, on rocks, cliffs, large slabs, and on the artificial reef. The Aguadulce area offers warm, calm, and transparent waters all year round, ideal for the practice of underwater activities: snorkeling routes, diving baptisms and courses, or diving excursions. A new world to discover for both children and adults.

40

Roquetas de Mar tourístic guide 41

Roquetas de Mar also has a large number of leisure and sports services to enjoy on land. Countless kilometers of bike lanes to cover the entire coastline, a golf course for the practice of this sport in the heart of the Urbanization, trails and routes on foot, as well as numerous sports centers and courts for the practice of paddle tennis, Skating, petanque, pump Track, calisthenics, gyms, healthy parks, soccer, basketball, or tennis