Rota, Cádiz Holiday Guide: Beaches, Castle and Climate
Provincia de Cádiz · Andalusia · Spain · 28,848 residents · on the coast
Rota is a coastal town of around 29,000 people in the Province of Cádiz, Andalusia, and it is compact enough that its main sights sit within a short walk of one another. Playa de la Costilla lies about 0.4 miles from the centre, the Castillo de Luna, which also serves as the town hall, is half a mile away, and Rota Lighthouse stands close by. Further out are the protected Corrales de Rota and a string of quieter beaches. Summers are hot and almost rainless, with August highs around 31°C, and Jerez airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 19 miles away.
Why go
- Playa de la Costilla sits about 0.4 miles from the centre, so the beach is a short stroll.
- Jerez airport has direct UK flights and is only around 26 minutes' drive from town.
- July and August bring highs of 29 to 31°C with barely any rain recorded.
Top sights in Rota
Castle, Lighthouse and Rota's Beaches
The Castillo de Luna, about half a mile from the centre, is both a castle and Rota's town hall, and it makes the natural starting point for a walk through town. A little further on, roughly 0.6 miles away, Rota Lighthouse marks the shoreline and is a favourite spot for couples at the end of the day. Nature lovers should head for the Corrales de Rota, a protected area around 1.7 miles from the centre.
Beaches are the heart of a stay here. Playa de la Costilla is the closest at about 0.4 miles, followed by Platja Matanda at around 0.7 miles and Playa de la Luz at roughly 1.4 miles. Playa de Punta Candor lies about 2.1 miles out, and Aguadulce, at around 4.3 miles, is the furthest of the town's family-friendly beaches.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
Tours & tickets in Rota
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Rota can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Rota
Choosing Your Base in Rota
Rota is small, so the main choice is between staying close to the centre or further along the coast. A base near the Castillo de Luna puts you within walking distance of the castle, the lighthouse and Playa de la Costilla, which suits travellers who want to leave the car hire parked for most of the holiday.
Those after more space and a quieter beach may prefer to look towards Playa de la Luz or Playa de Punta Candor, between roughly 1.4 and 2.1 miles from the centre, closer to the Corrales de Rota. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across town.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Rota and the villages around it is a hire car from Jerez (XRY), about 26 min away.
Best time to visit Rota
When to Visit Rota
- 17°CJan39 mm
- 18°CFeb57 mm
- 19°CMar88 mm
- 23°CApr5 mm
- 23°CMay23 mm
- 27°CJun25 mm
- 29°CJul1 mm
- 31°CAug1 mm
- 26°CSept43 mm
- 24°COct186 mm
- 21°CNov60 mm
- 17°CDec30 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months run from April to September. April is a fine early choice, with highs around 23°C and only about 5mm of rain, while May is similar and a touch warmer at night. June reaches around 27°C.
July and August are the hottest and driest months, with highs of 29°C and 31°C and almost no rain at all. September stays warm at around 26°C but sees showers return.
October is by far the wettest month, with around 186mm of rain over some 13 days, and March is also damp. Winter is mild, with January highs near 17°C and lows around 10°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 10°C | 39 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 18°C | 10°C | 57 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 12°C | 88 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 14°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 23 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 20°C | 25 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 21°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 22°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 19°C | 43 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 18°C | 186 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 14°C | 60 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 17°C | 9°C | 30 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Driving to Rota
Jerez airport (XRY) is the closest, about 19 miles away and roughly 26 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Seville (SVQ) and Gibraltar (GIB) also have direct UK flights; Seville is about 61 miles away, around an hour and 25 minutes' drive, and Gibraltar about 65 miles, roughly an hour and a half.
Driving from Calais takes around 25 hours at the wheel, so most British travellers will spread it over several days. Once here, the port of Cádiz, about 7 miles away, has ferries to Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Arrecife in the Canaries, Huelva, around 53 miles away, serves Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Tarifa, roughly 60 miles off, has sailings to Tangier Ville in Morocco.
By air
- Jerez (XRY)19 miles, about 26 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Seville (SVQ)61 miles, about 1 h 26 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Gibraltar (GIB)65 miles, about 1 h 32 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 24 h 52 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Cádiz (7 miles), Huelva (53 miles), Tarifa (60 miles).
Rota is good for
Around Rota
Day Trips Around the Bay
Rota sits among some of the province's best-known towns. El Puerto de Santa María is about 7 miles away and Cádiz around 8 miles. Along the coast, Chipiona lies roughly 9 miles off and Sanlúcar de Barrameda about 11 miles.
Further afield, Puerto Real is around 12 miles away, Jerez de la Frontera, the largest town nearby with over 200,000 residents, about 13 miles, San Fernando some 14 miles and Chiclana de la Frontera roughly 19 miles.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Rota
With around 29,000 residents and its castle, lighthouse and nearest beach all within about 0.6 miles of the centre, Rota is easy to explore on foot; a car is most useful for the outer beaches such as Aguadulce and for day trips.
August highs around 31°C mean the middle of the day is best spent in the shade, with beach time early or late. If you are travelling in autumn, pack for rain in October, the wettest month by a wide margin.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Rota?
Jerez airport (XRY) is the nearest, about 19 miles away and roughly 26 minutes' drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Seville and Gibraltar airports also have direct UK flights and are each around an hour and a half's drive.
When is the best time to go to Rota?
April to September offers the most pleasant conditions. July and August are hottest and driest, with highs of 29 to 31°C and almost no rain. Avoid October if you want dry weather, as it is the wettest month with around 186mm of rain.
Is Rota good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Rota has several family-friendly beaches, including Playa de la Costilla about 0.4 miles from the centre, Platja Matanda at around 0.7 miles and Playa de la Luz at roughly 1.4 miles, with Punta Candor and Aguadulce further out.
What is there to see in Rota apart from the beaches?
The Castillo de Luna, half a mile from the centre, is a castle that also houses the town hall. Rota Lighthouse is nearby, and the protected Corrales de Rota lies about 1.7 miles away for those interested in nature.
Can I visit Cádiz or Jerez on a day trip from Rota?
Easily. Cádiz is around 8 miles away and Jerez de la Frontera about 13 miles. El Puerto de Santa María, at roughly 7 miles, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, at about 11 miles, also make simple day trips.
How long does it take to drive from Calais to Rota?
The drive from Calais takes around 25 hours of driving time, so plan for several overnight stops. Most British travellers find flying to Jerez, Seville or Gibraltar and arranging car hire a quicker option.