Roses town Costa Brava

With 4km of sandy beach at the head of a great sweeping bay, Roses is the perfect setting for a bucket-and-spade holiday. The sheltered waters are ideal for waters ports, with windsurfing, sailing and water skiing all available. There are also several smaller coves, beginning with Canyelles and Almadrava, 3km beyond the fishing harbour to the south-east. A hair-raising drive across a rugged landscape leads to the remote creek of Cala Montjoi; on the way you pass the Creu d'en Cobertella, the largest prehistoric burial chamber in Catalonia, dating from 3000 BC.

Roses was founded in the 8th century BC by Greek settlers, who named it Rhodes after their homeland, but it was the Romans who developed the fishing industry which led to the town's wealth. It is still an important fishing port, with a population of 12,000, which rises to 80,000 in summer. With 50 hotels, five camp-sites and dozens of restaurants and bars, it is a little too lively for some; but if you want a traditional beach holiday, with easy access to the quieter north coast, this is the best place.

The star shaped citadel at the entrance to town is a 16th century fortress on the site of the original Greek city, with Roman and medieval remains within its walls you can clamber over the ruins and look down into the moat. Another ruined castle, east of town, stands on the slopes of Puig Rom hill. Climb this hill at sunset for romantic views over the Bay of Roses with the snow-capped Pyrenees in the distance.