Roquetas de Mar Holidays: Beaches, Forts and Lighthouses
Almería · Andalusia · Spain · 94,925 residents · on the coast
Castillo de Santa Ana
Sabinal Lighthouse
Arrecife Barrera de Posidonia
Roquetas de Mar Lighthouse
Punta Entinas-SabinarRoquetas de Mar is a sizeable coastal town of nearly 95,000 people on the Almería shore of Andalusia, sitting just 12 metres above the sea. It is an easy place to reach from the United Kingdom: Almería Airport, with direct flights, is around 21 minutes away by car. Within a mile of the centre you will find the Castillo de Santa Ana fort, the town lighthouse and the old bullring, while the protected coastline of Punta Entinas-Sabinar and the Sabinal Lighthouse lie a short drive west. Summers are hot and almost rainless, winters are mild at around 17°C by day, and the city of Almería is only 10 miles along the coast.
Why go
- Almería Airport, with direct UK flights, is about 15 miles away, roughly a 21-minute drive.
- The Castillo de Santa Ana fort and Roquetas de Mar Lighthouse sit under a mile from the centre.
- Punta Entinas-Sabinar protected area and Sabinal Lighthouse offer coastal nature within about seven miles.
Top sights in Roquetas de Mar
Forts, Lighthouses and Protected Coast
The best-known sight is the Castillo de Santa Ana, a fort about 0.9 miles from the centre, with the Roquetas de Mar Lighthouse standing at much the same distance. Together they make an easy first walk, and the town's bullring, the plaza de toros de Roquetas de Mar, is closer still at around 0.4 miles.
Nature is the town's strongest suit. The Sabinal Lighthouse lies about 7 miles away, close to the Punta Entinas-Sabinar protected area at roughly 6.5 miles. Nearer town, about 1.6 miles out, is the Arrecife Barrera de Posidonia, a protected stretch of coastline. For a day on the sand, Playa Serena is around 3 miles from the centre and suits families well.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the activity cards below.
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- 3protected area
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- 5protected area
6amphitheatre
7beachPlaya Serena
3 miles from the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in Roquetas de Mar
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Roquetas de Mar can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Roquetas de Mar
Choosing Your Base in Roquetas
With close to 95,000 residents, Roquetas de Mar is a proper working town rather than a small village, so staying near the centre puts you within walking distance of the fort, the lighthouse and the bullring. Those who prefer the beach can look towards Playa Serena, about 3 miles out, which is better suited to families wanting sand on the doorstep.
If quieter surroundings matter more, consider the western side of town towards the Punta Entinas-Sabinar protected area. Live hotel prices for Roquetas de Mar are shown on this page so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Roquetas de Mar and the villages around it is a hire car from Almería (LEI), about 21 min away.
Best time to visit Roquetas de Mar
When to Visit Roquetas de Mar
- 17°CJan7 mm
- 18°CFeb12 mm
- 20°CMar52 mm
- 22°CApr6 mm
- 24°CMay55 mm
- 28°CJun17 mm
- 32°CJul0 mm
- 32°CAug2 mm
- 28°CSept33 mm
- 25°COct51 mm
- 21°CNov11 mm
- 18°CDec12 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, June, September, October and November, when daytime highs range from about 21°C to 28°C. April is especially appealing, with around 22°C and typically just one rainy day.
July and August are the hottest months, reaching 32°C by day and staying around 25°C to 26°C at night, with almost no rain at all. Rainfall here tends to come in short bursts rather than long wet spells: March, May and October are the wettest months, each seeing over 50mm across about six days. Winter is mild, with January highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C, which makes a winter-sun break quite reasonable.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 10°C | 7 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 18°C | 11°C | 12 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 13°C | 52 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 22°C | 16°C | 6 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 17°C | 55 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 22°C | 17 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 32°C | 25°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 32°C | 26°C | 2 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 22°C | 33 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 19°C | 51 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 15°C | 11 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 11°C | 12 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Almería Airport (LEI) is the nearest, about 15 miles away and roughly a 21-minute drive, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada (GRX), also with direct UK flights, is about 71 miles away, or around 1 hour 40 minutes by car. Málaga (AGP), the largest of the three and with direct UK flights too, is roughly 104 miles and about 2 hours 30 minutes away, so car hire is worth considering if you land there.
For those driving from home, the journey from Calais takes around 23 hours behind the wheel. The nearby ports of Almería, 10 miles away, and Motril, about 50 miles away, run ferries to North Africa, including Melilla and Nador, with Motril also serving Tangier Med and Al Hoceima.
By air
- Almería (LEI)15 miles, about 21 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)71 miles, about 1 h 40 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Málaga (AGP)104 miles, about 2 h 29 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 21 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Almería (10 miles), Motril (50 miles).
Roquetas de Mar is good for
Around Roquetas de Mar
Day Trips Along the Almería Coast
Aguadulce is just 4 miles away, and the provincial capital of Almería is only 10 miles along the coast, easily done in a morning. Further east, El Cabo de Gata, a tiny community of around 500 people, lies about 20 miles away, and Níjar is about 27 miles off.
Inland, Rioja is about 15 miles away, Tabernas around 24 miles and Laujar de Andarax roughly 22 miles. Heading west along the coast, the town of Adra is also about 22 miles away, making a straightforward drive for a change of scene.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips Before You Go
In July and August temperatures stay above 25°C even overnight, so plan walks to the fort and lighthouses for early morning or evening, and choose accommodation with air conditioning.
Rain is rare but can arrive in concentrated spells, particularly in March, May and October, so pack a light waterproof for spring and autumn trips.
Because Roquetas de Mar is a large town close to a city, it works year-round rather than shutting down out of season, and the short hop from Almería Airport makes it a good choice for a long weekend.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Roquetas de Mar?
Almería Airport (LEI) is the closest, about 15 miles away and around 21 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada and Málaga airports also have direct UK flights but are further away, at roughly 1 hour 40 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes respectively.
When is the best time to visit Roquetas de Mar?
April, May, June, September, October and November offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs between about 21°C and 28°C. July and August are the hottest at 32°C, while winter remains mild with January daytime temperatures around 17°C.
Is Roquetas de Mar good for a winter holiday?
It can be. January sees highs of around 17°C and lows of 10°C, with only two rainy days on average. December and February are similar at around 18°C, making it a mild option for winter sun compared with home.
What is there to see in Roquetas de Mar?
Close to the centre are the Castillo de Santa Ana fort, the Roquetas de Mar Lighthouse and the town bullring. A little further out are Playa Serena, the Arrecife Barrera de Posidonia protected area, the Sabinal Lighthouse and the Punta Entinas-Sabinar nature reserve.
How far is Roquetas de Mar from Almería city?
Almería city is about 10 miles from Roquetas de Mar, making it an easy half-day or day trip. Aguadulce is even closer at around 4 miles, and El Cabo de Gata lies about 20 miles away.
Can you drive to Roquetas de Mar from the UK?
Yes, though it is a long journey. Driving from Calais takes around 23 hours of road time, so most people break it over several days. Flying into Almería and hiring a car on arrival is far quicker for most holidays.