Rota

In terms of self-catering accommodation, Rota has a lot to offer. The properties here are of a good standard and often offer coastal views. Apartments can be found in the town and near the beach, as well as in several complexes or urbanisations, which often include communal swimming pools and children´s play areas.

Rota boasts sixteen kilometres of fine beaches, including Playa de la Costilla and Playa de la Ballena. Many of them have been awarded due to their cleanliness and high standards and facilities. Popular among wind and kitesurfers, the town experiences an onslaught of tourists, especially during the summer season.

The construction of the Rotal Naval Station, also known as NAVSTA Rota, began under the supervision of the Naval Office of Shipyards and Ports in 1953. The base then consisted of more than 6,100 acres of land on the north side of the Bay of Cádiz between towns of Rota and El Puerto de Santa María.

These are small walls in the intertidal zone close to the beach at Rota, which cover 110ha and are exposed at low tide. They have been used for collecting shellfish and fish since Roman times and continued to be in use until the 1950s.

Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it's great to see Andalucia from the sea.

Rota is not a major tourist center but it does boast 16 kilometres of beautiful beaches. La Ballena: Playa de la Ballena is a 2.5km beach of fine sand backed by the relatively new Costa Ballena urbanisation. The beach has a seasonal chiringuito, several kiosks and sun loungers, parasols and boats to hire. The beach can be reached by bus from Rota town centre.

The town of Rota has many small bars and cafés where you can enjoy a snack and drink. The area around the Puerto Deportivo is especially popular with both residents and visitors in the summer months.

The old medieval town of Rota has some fine monuments that visitors should make time to see. The Castillo de Luna is in calle Cuna, 2. This magnificent building is the official emblem of the town. It also houses the town hall and tourist office. It was erected on the remains of a Moorish castle after the Christian conquest of the town in the 13th century.

Rota, an ancient town, stands at the extreme north of the Bay of Cádiz in a privileged position. The town opens out to the Atlantic and behind are two national parks, the Natural Park of the Bay of Cádiz and the Doñana. It is also a town of two extreme contrasts.

There are a number of summer cultural festivals in Rota which are based on the Castillo de Luna. These include flamenco, classical music and theatrical events. In August there is a week of professional theatre plus the 'Arranque de Roteño' a flamenco singing and dancing extravaganza during which those attending savour the typical Rota culinary dish which gives its name to the event.

If you are considering visiting Rota you may find our maps a useful tool, we provide three maps, one of the region of Andalucia with Rota highlighted. The second handcrafted map gives the location of Rota with the corresponding local road network. In order to help our readers we have also embedded a Google map which is centered on Rota.

If you like sport then you'll be pleased to know that Rota offers year-round facilities and competitions in football, swimming, sailing, fishing, beach volleyball, volleyball, basketball, windsurfing and athletics.

Information about the cinemas in Rota.