Roquetas de Mar was an establishment for Neolithic cultures; its coasts were visited by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans although none were permanent until the eighteenth century. As all Muslim settlements, it has its Castle for defence on the sea border line: The Castle of Las Roquetas or Santa Ana. Roquetas was an ancient fishing village, the land was dependant upon the rain and was a land whose economy was based on its agriculture and small volume of fishing. Between Roquetas and Aguadulce they used to cultivate vineyards in a location known as the "Parrales"

The first greenhouse was constructed here, which was so innovative and successful that it developed hugely in the rest of the region and made the province of Almeria famous for this new technique of cultivation.

Agriculture has always been its main source of wealth with much variety of produce. In 1964 tourism began to hit its shores and Roquetas de Mar has been named "The Centre of National Tourist Interest". It has three main developed areas; Roquetas and Playa Serena with the third in Las Salinas and Serena Sur (still under construction). This locality is the second most important within the province of Almeria and is expected to boom with great expectations of growth particularly where tourism is concerned.

Places to see in the vicinity

Almeria’s desert: The only desert existent in Europe, Hollywood filmed many of its westerns and biblical themed films in this part of Spain. It is a great scenery for practicing your photography skills. The temperature however is typical to a desert of 45ºC during the day and descending to zero at night, and rain is scarce. The vegetation is typical to desert conditions with interesting creatures (reptiles and amphibians mostly). There’s an ancient castle wall 80 metres high and a church with a beautifully crafted interior. The council building and square are full of character, as are its streets.
The tour takes you through the old western settlements, a tourist attraction (Mini Hollywood, with its legendary ambience of the far west), it has something for all ages with child play, entertainment, shops, photographic studios, dressing-up, horse riding, live music in the saloon, an enacted bank robbery, restaurants and swimming pool and then on to the zoo Reserve: natural spaces of original beauty, again enjoyed by people all ages. Exotic birds and reptiles, a lake with crocodiles and surrounded by felines, plus an infant zoo, not forgetting the bears, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, deer, elephants, camels, gazelles, hippopotamus ...

Sierra Nevada: The greatest protected area in the whole of Andalucia, an exceptional botanical variety due to it’s high and low altitudes, which makes it the most genuine enclave in Spain. The view is spectacular due to its variety and wealthy ecosystem, making it of great geological interest. At the end of the expedition there is a stop at a country estate called the Cortijo de Ubeire, the views that surround the area are marvellous, a great abundancy of trees and its wild animals; mountain goats, squirrels, hares and boars, sparrow hawks and eagles.

The Towns of Almeria and the Quarries of marble (also known as the city of white gold)
Los Millares: The most important archaeological site of European prehistory. Nearly 5000 years of history. A city that housed more than 1000 people, with 15 fortresses and 4 stretches of wall; more than 100 collective tombs; its ceramics show amazing skill and are full of symbolism and portrays a culture very developed in its technical knowledge using copper in the fabrication of its arms and tools.

Appeals to:
• The nature/bird lover: Wealth of new and wonderful species to investigate or just admire, certain to take your breath away.
• The photographer: With its diverse terrain of flora, fauna, exuberant foliage, volcanic stone, sea, cliffs and desert…a haven of colour.
• The film enthusiasts: Mini Hollywood with its fun filled schedules and shows.
• The investor: New up and coming tourist resort, developing very quickly, due to its beautiful surroundings and climate of extremes.

Mojacar is an ancient Moorish village - a quiet corner where time stood still for many centuries - lies on a hillside behind the town. There are restaurants and cafes with terraces that offer stunning views out into the Mediterranean Sea, narrow streets with enticing shop fronts that beckon one to explore the quaint hilltop village. Further down the hill, the beaches of Mojacar are particularly attractive and the coastal town offers much in the way of shopping and all the necessary amenities, including restaurants with a choice of regional dishes, hire shops, newsagents etc.

Garrucha is an old and well established town with origins back to the 16th century when it was founded by a group of fishermen who protected themselves from pirate attacks by constructing a tower. There is a beautiful promenade that runs the length of the town with wide sandy beaches stretching to crystal clear waters on one side, and palm trees, restaurants, cafes, shops and the town extending out on the other. Like all Spanish towns, there are many fiestas with colourful parades that wind through the town at various times of the year - it will be hard to miss one!

Vera is a prosperous town 6km from the coast that has much to offer with many shops rich in handicraft and restaurants with tempting traditional cuisine, including Spanish Tapas - little dishes of local foods and delicacies. Playas de Vera, as the name suggests, is along the coast and offers a huge range of activities with lush golf courses and exquisite club houses, an aqua park with whirling water rides and slides, charming shops and, naturally, white sandy beaches complete with sea grass umbrellas, palm trees and sparkling seas. There are many more attractive beaches and interesting coves to find as well as pretty towns and villages, both coastal and inland, to be explored.