Rota, a charming town in southern Spain, offers much more than just a stopover spot. Whether you have a few hours or a day, Rota has something for everyone. Whether you are waiting for a flight, passing through the Rota Naval Base, or just looking for a quick getaway, Rota provides plenty of activities that make for a memorable experience.
If you’re passing through the Rota Naval Base or simply have some extra time to kill, this blog is your perfect guide to discovering what Rota has to offer.
“Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure”
Bob Bitchin
This quaint little fishing town is nestled in the province of Cádiz, with a rich history that combines both military and tourist influences. The Rota Naval Base nearby contributes significantly to the town’s economy, while tourism is another major industry. It’s a favorite destination for northern Spaniards and Europeans, especially in the summer.
With an average of 300 sunny days per year, temperatures range from a chilly 12°C (54°F) in January to a warm 26°C (79°F) in August.
1. Enjoy A Chill Day: Beach and Local Bars
Rota is a beach town, boasting 16 km of clean, sandy beaches like La Costilla, El Rompidillo, and Punta Candor.
These beaches are perfect for a relaxing day. Whether you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or people-watching, Rota has it all. And don’t forget the chiringuitos (beach bars) where you can grab a cocktail or coffee. Sunset and Azucar de Cuba are popular year-round spots, while Brixton and Coco’s offer a more international vibe.
The sea temperature ranges from 16°C (61°F) in winter to a pleasant 23°C (73°F) in summer. The sunsets here are spectacular, making them a must-see before heading to dinner.
Fun Fact: Rota is known for its stunning sunsets, so make sure you find a good spot before the day ends.
2. Keep It Local: Gastronomy & History
LOCAL GASTRONOMY
Delve into Rota’s culinary delights with its well-known dish, Urta a la Roteña (Rota-style Red Sea Bream). Pair your meal with Tintilla, a local sherry wine produced from dark, ripe grapes grown solely in Rota’s vineyards.
Where to try Tintilla:
- Tasca Talavan for Bluefin tuna dishes.
- Bodega El Gato: The last standing bodega in Rota, offering wine tours and tapas.
Don’t miss the traditional arranque, a dish made with chopped bread, tomatoes, green peppers, garlic, salt, and olive oil.
Pro Tip: If you’re not in the mood for local cuisine, Rota is home to 34 pizzerias, earning the title: “The town with the most pizzerias per capita in the world!” There’s even a national pizza festival held each spring.
Learn About Rota’s History:
Wander through the narrow streets of the old town, known for its white houses and classic Andalusian archways.
If you are interested in a little history then Rota won’t disappoint, they even have their very own castle. Visit Castillo la Luna, a 13th-century castle, and has a beautiful interior courtyard dating from the 15th century. If you are lucky you might be able to visit the top of the castle which has stunning views of the town, sea, and the Capital city, Cádiz across the bay. (Ask at the front desk in the castle for daily rooftop visits.)
and don’t miss the Nuestra Señora de la O Church, built in the 16th century. What is a Spanish town without an old catholic church? If you continue walking you will make it down to the port where you can see both the old and new lighthouse. The walk back to the main plaza along the boardwalk is well worth it.
DISCOVER THE LOCAL SPOTS
If by chance you are not alone and happen to be traveling with that special someone or a family member, along the boardwalk, there is a locally known kissing wall. The words “Besame en Esta Esquina”, or “kiss me on this corner”, can be found above this famous spot where you can steal a kiss from your partner or loved one (or embarrass your kids by demanding kisses in public). There is also a scavenger hunt in the old city of Rota, if you want to spend sometime checking out all of the little hidden artistically features around the town check out our blog: Los Intervenciones: Discover Rota’s Artistic Scavenger Hunt
3. Fun Activities: Explore Nature & More
Go for a Walk: For a nature escape, walk through the Rota Pine Forest along a wooden footbridge that leads to Punta Candor Beach. The 4.1 km trail takes about 90 minutes and offers panoramic views of the Bay of Cádiz.
You can find a map here (the description is in Spanish, sorry;/)
Visit the Corales Romanas: An ancient Roman tidal fish farm, it’s a natural landmark and Andalusian Natural Monument. This ancient Roman tidal fish farm is located here. It is about a 35 min walk from the main square along the beach heading west.
This old fishing coral is considered a cultural and natural landmark and declared an Andalusian Natural monument. It is best seen during low tide.
If you have not seen them before I recommend checking them out. They are pretty cool. You might even be able to catch your own fish.
RENT A BIKE
If you have some extra energy and want to see more of the area, then renting a bike is your best bet.
For a more adventurous day, rent a bike and explore the Rota Greenway Nature Trail, a 30 km route that once connected neighboring towns. Stop for views of the sea and pass through beautiful pine forests.The path starts here.
In addition, there are many more biking trails, which you can find here.
Places to rent bikes:
Bicicletas Valdés (+34) 699 549 234
Aventura Eléctrica (+34) 611 140 901
Bicicletas Jurado (+34) 608 194 947
The Naval Station Rota MWR’s Outdoor Recreation Center also rents bikes.
Spots to rent (Please keep in mind that these rental spots may be seasonal)
WATER SPORTS
Rota is a great spot for water sports. Depending on the time of the year you can pretty much do any water-related sport including kayaking, standup paddle boarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kiteboarding, and sailing. Spots to rent (Please keep in mind that these rental spots may be seasonal):
Club Surf Educa: (+34) 619 74 38 00
Over Limit Centro Náutico: (+34) 658 831 183
The Naval Station Rota MWR’s Outdoor Recreation Center also rents kayaks and stand-up paddle boards all year round.
(Image: My friend and I paddleboard on the Rota beach)
GO GOLFING
The closest golf course (that is not in the Rota Naval Base) is the Costa Ballena Golf Club. It is about a 13 min drive from Rota. This golf course is not only one of the largest, but it is also one of the best places to practice golf in Europe.
It boasts a 27-hole championship course and has fabulous views of the ocean. It also has a lovely restaurant where you can enjoy a tasty meal with beautiful views overlooking the greens.
(+34) 956 84 70 70
4. Explore The Area: Nearby Towns to Visit
VISIT A CITY: For these excursions, you would need to either rent or borrow a car.
The Rota Naval Exchange rents cars at the air terminal.
VISIT SANLÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA
Sanlúcarde Barrameda sits on the mouth of the Guadalquivir river, Opposite the Doñana National Park. it separated the province of Cádiz from Huelva.
This historic city is famous for its Manzanilla sherry wine and delicious prawns as well as for its importance in some of the monumental events in Spanish history.
All of this makes it a wonderful day trip for those feeling a little more adventurous. It has several noteworthy landmarks, restaurants, and bodegas (sherry wineries), you can visit as well as a boardwalk that is lovely to stroll on.
Distance from Rota is 21.5km or 23min. HERE ON A MAP.
VISIT CHIPIONA
Chipiona is the closest town to Rota heading west and is home to the tallest lighthouse in Spain and the third tallest in Europe.
There is a Castle which you can visit. Inside there is a museum dedicated to the discovery of the New World. It is called the “Cádiz and the New World” Museum.
There is also a museum that showcases the town’s famous Moscatel wine. The museum introduces you to the ancient history and culture of Moscatel de Chipiona, one of the highest-quality sweet wines in the world.
Distance from Rota: 17.5 km or 21 min. HERE ON A MAP.
VISIT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Jerez de La Frontera is internationally famous for its Sherry wine, Flamenco dance and music, Andalucian horses, and moto GP (Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix). It is a lovely historic nobleman’s city.
The downtown area contains the old city where you can find the Alcazar an 11th-century Moorish fortress, tabancos or sherry bars, and Flamenco bars. The city is also home to the famous horse riding school, ‘The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Arts, which has a lovely horse-carriage museum where you can watch the horse riders and horses display their talents.
There are also many different bodegas (sherry wineries) that offer wine tours.
Distance from Rota is 31 km or 33min. HERE ON A MAP.
VISIT CÁDIZ
Cádiz is definitely worth the day trip. It is one of Andalucia’s best-kept secrets. This beautiful city sits on its very own peninsula and is connected to mainland Spain by an isthmus.
Considered to be the oldest inhabited city in occidental Europe it is a marvelous place to spend an afternoon. Not only do they have several museums with artifacts displayed from the various civilizations that have passed through the city, but there are also many monuments you can see while wandering around the old quarter.
Its narrow windy streets, beautiful green parks, plazas, and tasty restaurants and cafes make it a perfect European city to spend the day in.
Distance from Rota is 44km or 35min. HERE ON A MAP.
You can also take a ferry from Rota to Cádiz. The ferries can be a tad bit sporadic but they are definitely worth a try if they are working. It is about a 30 min ferry ride one way. You can check the schedule here.
My Personal Take
Obviously, I am biased because I would say join me and let me show you one of these lovely cities via a ‘Tapa and Culture‘ Experience or sign up for a tasting I host over at The Company Room, but it is really up to you and what you have time for. Rota is a lovely little coastal town. I would take advantage of the 300 days of sunshine, by ordering a caña (small beer) at one of the beach bars (such as Sunset) and bask in the sunshine.
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