Roses Holiday Guide: Beaches, Castles and Coves
Província de Girona · Catalonia · Spain · 19,319 residents · on the coast
Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella
Castell de la Trinitat
Castell de Bufalaranya
Santa Maria de Roses
Cala MontjoiRoses sits on the coast of the Província de Girona in Catalonia, a town of around 19,000 people where the beach and the past share the same few miles. Platja de la Punta and Platja Nova lie within a few hundred yards of the centre, while the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Roses is about half a mile away. Beyond town, the Castell de la Trinitat, the Far de Roses lighthouse and the Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella all sit roughly a mile out, and quieter coves such as Cala Montjoi and Cala Murtra lie under 3 miles away. With direct flights from the UK into Girona, under an hour's drive away, it suits beach holidays and culture in equal measure.
Why go
- Family beaches such as Platja de la Punta and Platja Nova sit within a quarter of a mile of town.
- Girona airport, with direct UK flights, is only about 46 minutes' drive from Roses.
- Summer highs reach 30°C in July, with just four rainy days on average that month.
Top sights in Roses
Castles, Coves and Ancient Stones
The headline sight is the Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella, an archaeological site about 1.1 miles from the centre. Close behind comes the Castell de la Trinitat, a castle roughly 1.1 miles out, and the Castell de Bufalaranya, about 2.5 miles away. In town itself, the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Roses is around half a mile from the centre, and the Visigothic settlement of Poblat visigòtic del Puig Rom is an archaeological site some 0.7 miles away. The Castell de la Garriga, about 1.7 miles out, completes the run of fortifications.
For the sea, Cala Montjoi is the best-known cove at around 2.7 miles, with Cala Murtra at about 2.9 miles and Platja de Canyelles Grosses at 2.2 miles. Nearer town are Platja de Canyelles Petites (1.4 miles), Platja del Rastell (half a mile), Platja Nova (a quarter of a mile) and Platja de la Punta (barely 0.2 miles). The Far de Roses lighthouse, about 1.2 miles away, makes a good walk for couples.
Tours and tickets for Roses and the surrounding area can be booked directly from this page.','
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Tours & tickets in Roses
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Roses can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Roses
Choosing Your Base in Roses
Staying near the centre puts you within a short walk of Platja de la Punta, Platja Nova and Platja del Rastell, as well as the monastery of Santa Maria de Roses, which suits families who want the beach and the town on the doorstep without needing a car.
For a quieter stay, look towards the Canyelles side of town, where Platja de Canyelles Petites and Platja de Canyelles Grosses lie between 1.4 and 2.2 miles out, closer to the coves of Cala Montjoi and Cala Murtra. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the town.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Roses and the villages around it is a hire car from Girona (GRO), about 46 min away.
Best time to visit Roses
When to Visit Roses
- 13°CJan30 mm
- 15°CFeb43 mm
- 17°CMar49 mm
- 19°CApr45 mm
- 21°CMay75 mm
- 26°CJun39 mm
- 30°CJul12 mm
- 29°CAug40 mm
- 25°CSept49 mm
- 23°COct49 mm
- 17°CNov50 mm
- 14°CDec40 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are June to September. July is the hottest and driest, with average highs of 30°C, lows of 22°C, just 12 mm of rain and around four rainy days. August is almost as warm at 29°C, while June (26°C) and September (25°C) offer warm days with a little more breathing space.
May is the wettest month, averaging 75 mm of rain over about 12 days, and October also sees around ten rainy days despite highs of 23°C. Winter is mild rather than warm: January averages 13°C by day and 6°C at night. No sea temperature data is available for Roses, so check locally before planning early-season swims.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 6°C | 30 mm | 7 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 7°C | 43 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 9°C | 49 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 12°C | 45 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 14°C | 75 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 39 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 22°C | 12 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 22°C | 40 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 49 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 16°C | 49 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 11°C | 50 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 40 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Girona airport is the closest, about 32 miles away, roughly 46 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the UK. Barcelona airport, also with direct UK flights, is about 88 miles away, around two hours' drive. Reus, likewise served directly from the UK, is some 129 miles off, a drive of about three hours.
If you are driving down from Calais, allow around 14 hours at the wheel. The nearest ferry port is Barcelona, about 80 miles away, with sailings to the Balearic Islands (Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ciutadella and Ibiza), to Italy (Civitavecchia, Genoa and Porto Torres) and to Morocco (Tangier Med and Nador).
By air
- Girona (GRO)32 miles, about 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Barcelona (BCN)88 miles, about 2 h 4 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)129 miles, about 3 h 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 2 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Barcelona (80 miles).
Roses is good for
Around Roses
Day Trips from Roses
Empuriabrava is only about 3 miles away, while Cadaqués and el Port de la Selva, a small village of under 1,000 people, are both around 6 miles from Roses. Figueres, the largest town nearby with around 46,000 residents, is about 11 miles inland.
Further south, Verges and Torroella de Montgrí are each about 16 miles away, and Pals (20 miles) and Begur (22 miles) make for a longer day out along the coast.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Roses
Roses is a mid-sized town of around 19,000 people at just 11 metres above sea level, so the main beaches and the monastery are easily reached on foot from the centre, but a car helps for the coves, castles and day trips further out.
The peak season of June to September is when most visitors come, so book flights into Girona early for summer. If you travel in May, pack for rain: it is the wettest month of the year, with around 12 rainy days.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Roses?
Girona airport is the nearest, about 32 miles from Roses, or roughly 46 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the UK. Barcelona airport, around 88 miles and two hours away, is the main alternative and also has direct UK flights.
When is the best time to visit Roses?
June to September offers the most pleasant conditions. July is the hottest month, averaging 30°C, and also the driest with about four rainy days. May is the wettest month, so summer and early autumn are the safest bets for beach weather.
Is Roses good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Platja de la Punta and Platja Nova sit within a quarter of a mile of the centre, with Platja del Rastell about half a mile away. Further out, Platja de Canyelles Petites and Platja de Canyelles Grosses are also suited to families.
What historic sights are there in Roses?
Roses has the Dolmen de la Creu d'en Cobertella, the Castell de la Trinitat, the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Roses and the Visigothic settlement of Puig Rom, all within about a mile of town, plus the castles of Bufalaranya and la Garriga a little further out.
Can I drive to Roses from the UK?
Yes. From Calais the drive takes around 14 hours. Once there, a car is useful for reaching the coves such as Cala Montjoi and Cala Murtra, and for day trips to places like Cadaqués and Figueres.
What day trips can I take from Roses?
Empuriabrava is about 3 miles away, and Cadaqués and el Port de la Selva are each around 6 miles. Figueres is about 11 miles inland, while Pals and Begur, at 20 and 22 miles, make for a longer day out.