Roses is a first-rate tourist destination that offers visitors a wide range of activities and sightseeing that, together with its history, gastronomy and beautiful coastline, make it one of the best towns to visit on the Costa Brava.
It is located in the province of Girona, on the southern slopes of Cap de Creus, in the Alt Empordà region.
Given its obvious attractions, it can come as no surprise that tourism is on the increase in Roses. The population of the town in 2023 is around 15,000 people, multiplying exponentially in the summer season when it reaches 90,000 inhabitants.
We begin our tour of this beautiful town by asking ourselves a question: what is there to see in the old town?
The old town is the nerve centre of this village, characterised by charming streets lined with bars and shops, ideal for stopping to pick up a souvenir of the area or to have an aperitif by the sea.
Part of its cultural heritage, seeped in a mediaeval essence, is the church of Santa Maria and its square. The Plaza de la Pau is dedicated to historical memory and the Civil War, a period from which an air-raid shelter has been preserved. Walking towards the coastal area you can see the Casa Mallol, which currently houses Roses Town Hall, and a smattering of modernist and neoclassical houses.
Among its heritage we find, impregnated with the mediaeval essence that characterises it, the church in honour of Santa Maria and its square. The Plaza de la Pau is dedicated to historical memory and to the Civil War, a period from which an air-raid shelter has been preserved. Walking towards the coastal area you can see the Casa Mallol, which is currently the seat of the Roses Town Hall and is accompanied by the rest of the modernist and neoclassical houses.
What else does Roses have to offer?
There is so much more hidden around town that’s worth discovering, such as the Citadel, the most important place to go if you want to understand a little more about the history of this area.
This is a fortification dating back to the 17th century which has a museum featuring exhibitions related to the history of the town and the region, as well as interactive installations that bring ancient Rodes to life.
The Castillo de la Trinidad is another must-see attraction, located next to the Citadel and recently rebuilt after the destruction it suffered in 1814. It was declared a Cultural Monument in 2010.
The Citadel of Puig Rom takes us back hundreds of years to the Visigothic period. It consists of a wall and a couple of towers and was known in its day as Castrum. And if you want to travel even further back in time, you can marvel at the megaliths near Cap de Creus, which are around 5,000 years old.
All around Roses you will find holiday cottages and flats to stay in, with all the security that comes with seeing your accommodation in advance online.
Finally, we have to mention Roses’ stunning beaches and coves. All of them are blessed with crystal-clear water and fine golden sand. The beach of Roses is the most visited and is about 450 metres long.
