AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Playa de la Ventilla is a long, easygoing semi-urban beach on the coast of Roquetas de Mar, in Spain's Almería province. Roughly 1,100 metres of shoreline run between the palm grove of the old Ventilla estate and the eastern edge of the resort town of Aguadulce, giving you space to spread out even when the nearby beaches fill up.↗↗
Its coarse golden sand, scattered pebbles and clear, calm water make it a quietly popular choice for families and snorkellers. Because the sand is heavy, it stays put on breezy days when lighter beaches kick up dust, and the gentle slope into the sea means paddling and bathing without sudden drop-offs.↗↗
A beach split between palm grove and promenade
One half of La Ventilla faces the built-up seafront, with a broad promenade, parking and municipal services at hand; the other 450 metres or so open onto the Palmeral de la Ventilla, the historic palm grove of the former estate, lending the far end a greener, more relaxed feel. This mix makes it a semi-urban beach rather than a wild cove: you get the conveniences of a resort strip without the crowds of the central beaches.
