For anyone thinking of heading to the Costa Brava and camping, Roses offers a selection of well equipped campsites near the beach.
The beach at Santa Margarida. Photo by Dennis van Zuijlekom.
Roses continues to be a popular holiday destination in the north of the Costa Brava and has the benefit of long sandy beaches and easy access to both Girona and Figueres.
It’s also right next to the natural park of Cap de Creus and perfectly situated to explore the beaches and rocky coves found here, as well as the iconic town of Cadaqués.
Roses has four different campsites from which to choose. Three of them are located in the Santa Margarida district, while one is just behind Almadrava beach.
As well as being a great choice for the beach, the latter is also close to the border with the Cap de Creus natural park. That makes it a great choice for hiking among the bleak rocky landscapes.
The Campsites
Camping Rodas
Carrer de la Punta Falconera, 62
Set behind the urbanised Santa Margarida area, this family run campsite is surrounded by trees offering both privacy and plenty of shade in the height of summer. The campsite grounds are well maintained with lots of plants and flowers throughout.
The campsite is 500 metres from the beach and has 279 pitches of 80m² each. All have electricity, some pitches have water and guests can bring their pets. In addition to the standard campsite facilities are two swimming pools, a bar and restaurant, a playground for kids, onsite bike hire and a number of shops to buy essentials.
Camping Rodas also has a number of 25m² “mobile homes” with a small terrace, sleeping four to six. Finally they also have 12m² “lodges” for two. Really this glamping as the so called lodges are tents pitched over decking with a small terrace. The downside of these two options is that pets are not allowed.
Salatà Camping & Bungalows
Carrer del Port Reig, 44
Around 250 metres from the long sand beach you’ll find Salatà Camping & Bungalows, operated by the family run Terraza Grup, which opened its first hotel back in 1935. The campsite has a variety of pitches ranging from 60m² for tents only up to 120m² for up to six people with a car and caravan or tent or a camper van. The downside is that they don’t allow pets.
The site also has a number of bungalows suitable for up to six, depending on size. Finally, they have studio apartments too. These can sleep up to four, which must feel pretty cramped, but they do have the advantage of aircon.
Facilities include pools for adults and kids with a spa area offering massage, sauna and jacuzzi. It also has a pizzaria on site and a small supermarket offering selection of fresh foods, wine and other essentials to help you make the most of your stay.
Joncar Mar
Carrer Bernat Metge, 9-10
Founded in 1977 with the aim of providing a comfortable campsite providing guests with excellent facilities, Concar Mar campsite is around 100 metres from the beach at Santa Margarida.
The campsite is committed to renewable energy and so water is heated using solar power and as well as tree shaded plots for tents, caravans and camper vans it also has a number of wooden bungalows and mobile homes. These have a kitchen with running water, fridge, gas hobs and microwave, and a bathroom with bath and shower. They also have a small furnished terrace to enjoy the summer evenings sipping something cool. There are also a small number of apartments available.
On site guests can buy essentials at the supermarket, such as bread, fresh food and drinks and eat affordbale Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant. You can also take pets (the campsite doesn’t accept “dangerous animals”!). As well as the pool, Joncar Mar also has spa facilities with a steam bath and jacuzzi.
Camping Ampurdanés
Carrer Rembrandt, 8-12
The only Roses campsite not in the Santa Margarida area is Camping Ampurdanés. Instead you find this small campsite on the far side of Roses town centre. It’s near the Almadrava beach on the south of the Cap de Creus peninsular.
The plots are surrounded by trees, which offer plenty of shade from the sun, but the campsite offers few facilities. But while this campsite may not have a swimming pool, it is only 30 metres from the beach and so you can easily live without. While it has a small restaurant, there are a number of restaurants nearby too.
As well as plots for tents and caravans, the campsite also has small wooden chalets. These each have a parking area, wifi and kitchenware but you have to provide your own sheets and towels.
For a more complete list of campsites see Costa Brava camping.
