ROQUETAS DEL MAR

Roquetas, a former traditional fishing village 8km from Almeria, is tucked between the sea and the Sierra de Gador mountains. It has become one of the most popular holiday resorts on this coastline and is now also seeing rapid development as demand from second home buyers grows. The old coastal town, which dates from Roman times, now has a population of 59,000, but the town retains its old Moorish village charm with its white sugarcube houses in a maze of narrow streets, all set against a colourful harbour and mountains in the background. The port area still evokes the character of the old fishing village it once was, with lots of good bars and restaurants. But modern water sports are also well catered for down on the beach.

Roquetas played a pivotal role in 2005’s Mediterranean Games – an event which has fuelled the property and tourist boom here. There’s are eight golf courses nearby and many other sports facilities in the town. The salt lagoons at Las Marinas, 4km south of Roquetas, are a hot spot for flamingos and nature lovers. In summer, the town hosts many cultural activities. The most popular beaches are Serena, Aguadulce and the Gulf of Almeria. 5km south of Roquetas are Las Marinas salt marshes where flamingoes and egrets congregate.

You can still find one-bedroom apartments near the beach in Roquetas from around 100,000 euros. A large four-bed apartment within a short walk of the beach will cost around 350,000 euros, while two-bedroom apartments overlooking Serena Golf course in Roquetas cost from 215,000 euros.