Roquetas de Mar

"Roquetas de Mar es un municipio español de la provincia de Almería perteneciente a la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía, capital del partido judicial homónimo, situado en la comarca del Poniente Almeriense y a 21 kilómetros de la capital de la provincia, Almería. En el año 2014, contaba con 91 682 habitantes y era el segundo municipio de la provincia por detrás de la capital en cuanto a población, el 14.º de Andalucía y el 70.º de España. Actualmente, Roquetas de Mar ostenta el título de «Villa»."

"Roquetas de Mar (Spanish pronunciation: [roketaz ðe ma]) is a municipality of Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain. It consists of three very distinct areas. The Urbanization. This is predominantly the tourist area with large hotels, restaurants and gift shops. During July and August there is free nightly entertainment in a number of locations. During the summer season, a large percentage of visitors are Spanish, but it also receives many visitors from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Holland. In the last ten years, tour operators have opened up new routes to the local airport, Almeria, meaning people from Iceland, Belgium, Scandinavia and Slovakia are able to visit the region. The airport is a 30 minute drive from Roquetas. There is a very good bus service from Roquetas to Almeria and a connecting service to the airport. The Port and Marina. The port is home to a fishing fleet of around forty boats. The smaller 'day boats' fish for sardines, anchovy, mackerel and squid and the larger boats which travel much further afield, looking for tuna, sword fish and grouper. Some of the vessels specialize in catching shrimp, prawns and lobster. It's possible to buy fish from the boats if you arrive around midday. The marina and the Real Club Nautico is situated next to the fishing port and has moorings for 500 vessels. The club has two padel courts, a swimming pool, fitness center, a tapas bar and restaurant. There are a number of excellent fish restaurants in the port area and also along the promenade which runs beside the Romanilla beach. Numerous tapas bars are located in the side streets around the port. The Fiesta of Santa Ana takes place in the port towards the end of July and lasts for five days. During the summer, there is nightly free entertainment in the Amphitheatre, the castle and at the lighthouse and there are also two themed five day markets in July and August. The Town. Some 5 kilometers from the Urbanization and a 15 minute walk from the port, the town has two definite areas, the old town and the newer development which, along with the Urbanization, has seen Roquetas quadruple its population in the last forty years. The multi-million euro fruit and vegetable farming industry, which stretches from Almeria southward for 50 kilometers, has done more than anything else to increase, not only the population of Roquetas, but also the wealth of the town and the region. The old town is to the west of the church and square with a Moroccan quarter of spice shops, tea shops and bazaars. There is also a large modern market nearby, with fruit, vegetable, fish and meat stalls. The Auditorio Theatre, which along with the Gran Plaza shopping complex, is on the northern edge of the town, hosts many top quality touring shows and artists. The Bull Ring is in the center of the town and has a bullfighting museum. Bullfights are held about four times a year, with the main event taking place during the Fiesta of Santa Ana in July. Roquetas de Mar is one of the two major resorts in the Costa de Almería, the other being Mojácar, some 90 kilometers north of Almeria. With 15 kilometers of beaches and the fact that Roquetas does not attract the sheer number of tourists as some of the other resorts, there is plenty of room to lounge around and sunbathe, or to take a leisurely swim, without the problems of overcrowding seen at many Spanish beach resorts. All the beaches hold the coveted 'Blue Flag' status, which is the highest accolade awarded by the Spanish Tourist Board for the cleanliness of the water, sand and surrounding areas, including rubbish collection points, footpaths and most importantly, specific areas and assisted access for people with disabilities."