The best areas to stay in Roses

Visit Roses, on the Spanish Costa Brava: so much to do and see, and a dream climate! Before you leave, find out where to stay in Roses!

Located south of a small peninsula extending north of Catalonia in Spain, Roses – or Rosas in Castilian – is a popular summer resort and Catalonia’s most important fishing port. Home to 20,542 inhabitants, the city’s population swells to 90,000 in the middle of the summer season. It is the second city in the county of Alt Empordà and one of the only cities in the province of Girona that has not been affected by the economic crisis of 2011 thanks to its real estate and hotel infrastructure. Yet given the high influx of tourists in the city, you may have a bit of trouble finding a place to stay in Roses, not mentioning the fact that local accommodation rates are expensive.

Coves, idyllic beaches, ancient remains, year-round sunshine, water sports, and hiking opportunities: Roses has something for everyone, you won’t be bored! Here is our selection of the best areas to stay in Roses.

The City Center

Photo credit: Flickr – Hans Porochelt

The city center is one of the best areas to stay in Roses, as it features numerous hotels from west to east along the Bay of Roses. But the city center hotels are likely to be fully booked in summer. If you’re planning o stay in the city center, it’s better to focus on homestay solutions via Airbnb. In addition to its magnificent landscape, this small Catalan seaside resort boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage marked by nearly 3000 years of history. Don’t miss the Ciutadella de Roses – an ancient fort used to protect the city – Roses’ most famous and most visited monument. The Citadel is a pentagonal and star-shaped old-age defensive fort home to numerous archaeological remains from the Greek, Roman and Visigothic periods. The direct proximity to the French border – 30 kilometers – attracts many French and European visitors, mainly thanks to its temperatures exceeding 90°F in summer. With its golden sand and shallow crystal clear waters, the downtown beach offers the possibility to practice all kinds of water sports. An ideal place to stay in Roses for families.

Find a hotel in Amara
Find an Airbnb in Amara

The Port of Roses

Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis van Zuijlekom

Situated at the eastern end of Roses bay, the port of Roses is the Second largest fishing harbor in Alt Empordà. A stroll along the coast will take you to the marina dock, offering superb views of the Mediterranean Sea. You will see the Castle of the Trinity – Castillo de la Trinitat – two 18th century naval artillery guns and an anchor from the Roman period. Moving away from the coast, don’t miss the megalithic remains of Roses, namely the Dolmen Creu d’en Cobertella, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods. Continuing east towards Cadaqués, explore Murtra Point and Cap Morfeu, Punta Falconera, Cala Rostella Beach, Punta de la Ferrera, up to Cap Norfeu. A spectacular area to stay in Roses, surrounded by a magnificent craggy landscape of heavenly beaches and charming coves, ideal if you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and hiking.

Find a hotel in Amara
Find an Airbnb in Amara

South of Roses

Photo credit: Flickr – Stephen Melling

If you are looking to stay in Roses in a peaceful green setting, away from the hordes of tourists who come to the city center, head towards the south of Roses for Aiguamolls Natural Park (Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l’Empordà). You’ll be surrounded by an eyeful of coves and small islets, an ideal place to relax in tranquility while enjoying the spectacular scenery. Stretching over an area of 4,731 hectares, this protected wetland is composed of lagoons, reedbeds, meadows, marshes, ponds and a beach where the Muga and Fluvià rivers converge on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. If you are lucky, you might even be able to spot a wide variety of migratory birds.

Find a hotel in Amara
Find an Airbnb in Amara