Roquetas de Mar is relatively quiet and tends to attracts either young families or older families. It is most popular with German holidaymakers but an increasing number of British package tourists are also discovering the resort.

Roquetas de Mar lies very close to the southeast corner of Spain, 160km (100 miles) east of Málaga. The nearest town is Almería, 25km (15 miles) to the west; Almería airport is a further 10km (6 miles) west.

The resort is mostly flat and backed by rugged mountains of the Sierra de Gador, part of the Sierra Nevada range. Due to this sheltered position rainfall is very scarce and this is one of the driest regions in Europe.

Between May and October the daily average maximum temperatures for Roquetas never falls below 20ºC and rises above 30ºC in July-August. The ideal time to visit is May-June (average daily max temperature 22ºC to 26ºC) and September-October (average daily max temperature 27ºC to 23ºC). There is very little rain and almost guaranteed sunshine year-round. The winters are mild and mostly dry.

Backed in part by a neat promenade, the beach is a 3km- (2 mile-) long straight stretch of coarse silver sand that is never crowded. All watersports are available though the waves can be rough. There is a specially designated nudist section.

Roquetas de Mar has a smart 18-hole golf course Club de Golf Playa Serena (Urbanización Playa Serena). Three other courses, La Envia Golf, Alboran Golf and Golf Almerimar, are also with easy reach.

Birdwatchers visit the salt marsh at Las Marinas, 5km (3 miles) south to see flamingos, little egrets and avocets. Another popular spot is Punto Sabinas.

There are indoor amusements at the Gran Plaza shopping centre (see Retail Therapy).

Aside from various playgrounds there isn't a great deal in the way of family attractions. On the beachfront on the way to the neighbouring resort of Aguadulce is the Mario Park Parque Aquatico (Camino Las Selinas, 10) (www.mariopark.com). This is a small water park with slides, pools and a wave machine. Older children will get a bigger buzz at Karting Roquetas (Carretera Alicum, Roquetas). This is Andalucia's biggest go-kart circuit with karts for children as well as adults.

Most shops are geared towards the tourist trade, selling souvenirs, beachwear and the usual tourist tat. Gran Plaza is a large new modern shopping centre with 125 shops a, multi-screen cinema (with dedicated English-language screens), a one-pin bowling alley, an amusement arcade, restaurants and cafes. For more choice and typical Spanish shopping Almería is the best bet.

On Thursday there is an open-air market and every fortnight there is a local market in the pueblo.

Nightlife is low key and mostly hotel led with programmes of evening entertainment, including live music and local shows. The nearest nightclub is in neighbouring Aguadulce. The impressive recently opened Teatro Auditorio (Avenida Reino de España; stages classical concerts, dance, ballet and English-language theatre productions. Look out too for concerts in the bull ring (Plaza de la Constitución).

A good selection of restaurants to suit all tastes; choices include fish, pizza, Chinese, local fare (with ‘menu of the day' dishes on offer) as well as the ubiquitous ‘everything with chips' fodder. Dining on tapas, local specialities served up in small dishes, is a great way to start the evening.

The centre of Roquetas de Mar is mostly flat, compact, and easily covered on foot. However if you are staying on the outskirts hiring a bicycle may make sense. In summer a small tourist land train and a horse and carriage shuttle to and fro, saving visitors exertion in the heat. There is a frequent bus service to Almería and from here there are regular train connections to various destinations including Granada.

Almería is well worth the short trek for its Alcazaba (Moorish fortress) and shopping. Granada, with its magnificent Alhambra Palace is a must see. For a classic ‘white village' visit Nijar, famous for the quality of its handicrafts.

The desert area around Tabernas is known as Cowboy Country as it was here that some of the iconic Spaghetti Westerns (including A Fistful of Dollars) and many other action movies were filmed. Mini Hollywood (Carretera Nacional 340) the original movie film set has now been turned into a small theme park featuring live action hold ups, shoot outs and other action sequences alongside film memorabilia and also, somewhat incongruously, a desert zoo. There are two working film locations very close by; Texas Hollywood and Western Leone, which also show visitors around. Texas Hollywood also has themed areas but unless you're a real movie buff you can give Western Leone a miss.

Spoil yourself at the Vitalmar Medical and Beauty Centre at the Hotel Portomagno (Paseo Maritimo, Aguadulce, Roquetas de Mar). It offers a wide range of treatments and facilities including Turkish bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, hydrotherapy, massage, reflexology and anti-cellulite, anti-stress and laser treatments.

Almeria Airport (LEI)