The town of Rota sits in the shadow of the 6,100 acres that makes up Base Naval de Rota. This naval station marks the global halfway point between the United States and Southwest Asia.

 

Rota is located on the southwestern portion of Spain’s lowest point on the Bay of Cadíz. The proximity to the ocean and to the Straits of Gibraltar makes this a naval hot spot.

 

Outside of the naval base’s grounds, about 26,000 people populate the town. Rota is known to be a charming resort town that bustles with tourists and military men alike.

As Rota is the first port when entering the Bay of Cadíz, it has been home to many cultures through history. First occupied by the Phoenicians, Rota’s original name, Astaroth, is believed to originated as a reference to the sounds the ocean waves make when hitting the rocks. Later, Romans took over the city and renamed it Rotae. Eventually, Rota came under Moorish control until King Alfonso X who took over and kicked the Moors out. In the 1300’s, the area was given to Ponce de Leon’s family, and it became their family home.

Rota’s coastline is pristine. Three popular beaches draw many salt-water lovers year round. The village’s La Costilla (Shell of the South) is touted as the finest beach in Spain. The spotless sand and clean waters provide ample opportunity for sunbathers and swimmers alike. El Rompidillo is bordered by a large promenade that connects the beach to the town’s port. El Rompidillo connects to El Chorillo, a beach that forms most of the arc of beach that surrounds Rota.

 

There are also a number of unkempt beaches. Arroyo Hondo, La Ballena, and Punta Candor require a little hiking to reach. Surrounded by forest, these beaches are less populated and striking. Some may find this creepy, but Rota is home to Spain’s largest population of wild chameleons. While trekking through the forest, you may be lucky enough to spot some of these exotic lizards.

 

Centuries before when the Romans were in Rota, they planted large stones in portions of the Bay of Cádiz. Over time, sea life teemed on the rocks and formed coral reefs. Snorkeling along these reefs offers an amazing experience that cannot be missed.

 

El Castillo de Luna (Luna Castle) was built as an expansion of a 6th century Muslim convent. Luna Castle became home to Ponce de Leon for many of his visits. Tickets to tour Luna Castle can be obtained from the local tourist office.

 

Church of San Juan Bautista offers an amazing look at a Baroque-style church. Here tourists take in the breathtaking painting of Nuestra Señora de Los Delores holding Christ’s body.

 

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la O is an amazing church that mixes Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architectural styles. Constructed in the 1500s, this temple is an amazing site.

Bordered by the huge naval base, military activities encompass a large portion of Rota’s industrial base. There is far more to Rota than the military base, however.

 

Rota boasts some of the world’s best salmon and urta fishing. Salmon thrive in the area, so salt water salmon is one of the area’s most abundant foods.   Urta, similar to sea bream, is one of the area’s specialties. Entire festivals dedicated to cooking and eating the fish occur regularly in Rota. Melons, grapes, pumpkins, and tomatoes are also crops that grow well.

Rota is known for their rich tomato dishes and fresh seafood. Many local dishes provide a perfect example of the area’s culinary treasures. One such dish, Urta a la Roteña, blends ripe tomatoes, sweet onions, garlic, bay leaves, cognac, green peppers, and urta in a dish that is slowly simmered.

 

Arranque Roteña is another local specialty. In this dish, tomatoes are peeled and mashed with a mixture of fresh breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. The dip is served with strips of green peppers.

 

Travellers will not want to miss El Chato. Founded in 1790, this is one of the oldest restaurants in the world. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish fare in their Andalucian style décor. The restaurant boasts locally made sherry and fresh seafood dishes.

There is a club or bar to suit every taste in Rota. Dance clubs around for those tourists and locals who want to get out on a dance floor and let their hair down. Tourists rave about Dáda, Aqua, and Neptuna. Loud dance beats and large dance floors tend to appease large crowds.

 

If you prefer something a little quieter, try some of the local bars. El Torito offers a traditional Spanish bar setting while Taberna Irlandesa creates a nice English pub setting. Another option is one of the area’s great tapas bars. There a varied sampling of local fare is offered with drinks. For tapas bars try El Fresquito or Bodega la Mina. Bar la Costilla is known for their free tapas that frequently offers portions of deep fried local fish.

Rota is packed with old world charm and fascinating architecture. If you are looking for a traditional Spanish town packed with a fine mix of sightseeing and relaxing beaches, Rota must be added to your travel plans.