Free walking tours in Rota and what to see

Must-sees

Rota is a seafaring town on the Bay of Cádiz, known for its beaches and its small white old town. Start at the castle of Luna, medieval in origin and now the town hall, and the late-Gothic church of Nuestra Señora de la O. From there, wander through the centre to the port and the seafront promenade.

The beaches are the main reason to come. La Costilla is next to the centre, and towards Chipiona are Punta Candor and Costa Ballena, wider and more open. Along the coast are the fishing corrals, old stone traps visible at low tide and protected as a natural monument. At the table, the local dish is urta a la roteña, a sea bream stew.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours are uncommon in Rota. The usual options are guided visits to the old town and the castle of Luna, and guided walks around the fishing corrals at low tide, which explain this traditional way of fishing and the life they hold. Rota also works as a base for day trips: the catamaran from El Puerto de Santa María to Cádiz, the sherry bodegas of Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and the boats to Doñana, or the white villages of the sierra.

How long to spend

The old town and the castle take about three hours. If you are coming for the beach, people usually stay several days and mix beach mornings with afternoon trips around the bay. To see Rota and a couple of nearby towns, three or four days are enough.

Where to stay

To get around on foot, the best place to stay is the centre, near the castle of Luna and La Costilla beach: bars, restaurants and the promenade are close at hand. If you are mainly after beach and peace, Costa Ballena has seafront hotels and apartments and a golf course, although you will need a car there. Punta Candor is halfway between the two and quieter.