Thanks to its magnificent coastal location, just a few kilometers from the Bay of Cádiz, in southwest Andalusia and bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Rota is considered a privileged spot. It has a population of 29,491, which triples during the summer months. Mild temperatures are the norm in Rota, making any time of year a perfect time to visit. Its more than 3,200 hours of sunshine a year make Rota a prime location in southern Spain.
The town of Rota, due to its strategic location, has been a crossroads for various cultures and civilizations. It boasts important monuments such as the Church of Our Lady of the O and the Castle of Luna, and is notable for being surrounded by 16 km of magnificent beaches, including the urban beaches of La Costilla and El Rompidillo.
| Joining the Smart Destinations project | The destination joined the Smart Tourism Destination Network in May 2020 and in November 2022 completed the Diagnostic Report and Action Plan for its transformation into a Smart Tourism Destination. It renewed its certification in November 2025. |
| Outstanding initiatives
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The Rota City Council has a smart city platform that integrates all its infrastructure across different sectors into a single platform, enabling efficient management of public resources and an enhanced visitor experience.
Rota has a tourism app, Descubre Rota-Cicerone, dedicated to tourism in Rota. It offers information on places to visit, monuments, beaches, natural areas, routes, as well as events and news. The app allows users to find their location and view nearby points of interest, and provides information on upcoming events with the help of a virtual assistant (chat box). We have received quality certifications for implementing the Spanish Integrated System of Tourism Quality in Destinations (SICTED) for Rota’s six beaches, the Municipal Tourist Offices, and the Rota Fishing Weirs. We have also promoted this system among local businesses in the tourism sect Regarding strategic planning, Rota has a Special Protection Plan for its Historic Center, a 2017-2025 strategic plan, a Municipal Tourism Quality Plan, a Strategic Accessibility and Inclusion Plan, and the Local Urban Agenda 2030 Action Plan, with initiatives currently being implemented to develop tourism. In terms of wine and gastronomy, we offer a Vineyard Route, which highlights the value of vineyards, enhancing the rural landscape, vineyards and vineyard houses, the environment, the development of the agricultural economy, and job creation in rural areas. María Auxiliadora Avenue, the main access road to the city center, has been adapted to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. The roadway has been made fully accessible, eliminating architectural barriers with a single-level surface, a network of bike lanes implemented as part of a comprehensive mobility plan, widened sidewalks, planted trees, updated street furniture, reduced vehicle traffic signage, and smart pedestrian crossings. Similar improvements have been made to Diputación Avenue, a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the beaches and shopping areas. All of these improvements have enhanced the city’s appeal as a smart, sustainable, and efficient tourist destination, demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of life for local businesses by increasing pedestrian and visitor traffic. |