Rota and Costa Ballena Activities: 1-15 August 2026
Events, Markets, Culture and Summer Activities by Date
The first half of August is a lively time in Rota and Costa Ballena, with evening concerts, local food events, street markets, beach activities, family workshops and cultural visits. This date-by-date guide is designed to make planning easier if you are staying in Costa Ballena, visiting Rota for the evening, or looking for something different to do during the hottest weeks of summer.
The information below is based on the municipal activities guide for Rota from 1 to 15 August 2026. Events may change, so it is always worth checking with the Rota Tourist Office or the Costa Ballena Tourist Office before making special plans.
Regular Activities Throughout the First Half of August
12th “A la Roteña” Tapas Route
Dates: 30 July to 31 August
The “A la Roteña” Tapas Route continues throughout August, with participating bars and restaurants serving traditional and more innovative tapas inspired by local flavours.
Traditional tapas: La Moderna, Bar Rubio Corona, Bar Ágora, La Pérgola and Bar Mercado Central La Merced.
Innovative tapas: Tapaboca, La Gaditana, Los Príncipes Casa Dani, El Bujío and Sal y Pimienta.
Photographs of Pepe Basto at Castillo de Luna
Dates: 4 to 15 August
Place: Castillo de Luna
Opening hours: Daily from 10:00 to 13:45 and from 19:15 to 21:45.
Juan José Calvo Photography Exhibition in Costa Ballena
Dates: First half of August
Place: Costa Ballena Intermodal Hall
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 13:30 and from 19:00 to 22:00.
Tourist Train “Villa de Rota”
When: Every day from 20:00
Departure: Avenida de la Marina, next to Domino’s Pizza
Price: €4. Children under one year old travel free.
Duration: Approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
Costa Ballena Tourist Train
When: Every day from 20:00
Main stop: Centro Comercial Los Olivos.
Summer Market: Crafts of the World
Place: La Costilla Beach Promenade
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 19:00 to 01:00. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 01:00.
Central Market
Traditional stalls: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 14:30. Sundays and public holidays from 09:00 to 14:00, depending on individual stall openings.
Gastronomic stalls: Monday to Sunday from 11:30 to 16:00 and from 20:00 to midnight.
North Market
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 14:30. Sundays and public holidays from 09:00 to 14:00, depending on individual stall openings.
Second-Hand Market
When: Every Sunday from 08:30 to 14:00
Place: Old Renfe esplanade
Organised by: Asociación Rastrillo de Rota.
Costa Ballena Wellness and Sport
Maintenance Gymnastics
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 09:00 to 10:00, around the Tenencia de Alcaldía building. Free activity, with registration before the class begins.
Therapeutic Yoga with Ana
Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 11:30, in the premises next to Chiringuito Sol y Luna. Free activity.
Pilates & Functional Training
At Centro Comercial Ancora, 19, ground floor, Avenida Juan Carlos I. Information: 711 277 042.
Río Albero Association Activities
Yoga and organic movement with Rocío Atienza, Zumba with Sandra, functional training and dance with Manuel, yoga with Concha, and massages with Miriam. Information numbers listed in the guide include 656 991 754, 667 916 717, 654 605 406, 722 496 993 and 609 813 983.
Beach Yoga
Information: 699 149 856.
Surf Educa
Surf, surfskate and XXL paddle surf at Peña del Águila. Website: www.clubsurfeduca.com. Telephone: 619 743 800.
Over Limit Sailing and Surf School
Sailing, surfing and windsurfing courses, plus kayak, paddle surf and surf rental at Beach Access No. 5. Telephone: 658 831 183.
Guided Tours of Los Corrales Natural Monument
Price: €5 per adult and €2.50 per child. Telephone: 956 846 345.
Courses, Camps and Workshops in Rota
Club Surf Educa Sail Camp
For children over 8 years old, from 11:00 to 14:00. Activities include catamaran, windsurfing, paddle surf and kayak. Information: [email protected] or 619 743 800.
Summer School at the Municipal School of Equestrian
From 22 June to 28 August, for children aged 4 to 13. Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00.
Rota Basketball Club
For children aged 6 to 15. Information: 644 54 62 24.
Pickleball Reballution Academy
At Hotel Playa de la Luz. Material included. Contact Ernesto: 650 314 741.
Ceramics Workshop in the Countryside
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Mornings from 11:00 to 13:00 and evenings from 19:00 to 21:00. Reservations: [email protected] or WhatsApp 687 807 162.
Municipal Swimming Pool
Activities include aquarunning, maintenance swimming, swimming for health, classes for older adults, baby familiarisation courses and free swimming from 19:00 to 22:00. Information: 956 816 188.
Diving Courses
The guide includes courses and diving activities with Capitán Garfio, Club Urta and Sub-Baifora, with options for courses, baptisms, specialisations and adapted diving.
Events by Date
Saturday, 1 August
56th Urta Festival
The Urta Festival, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia, continues in Rota during the first weekend of August.
Children’s Show “Toma Castaña” by magician Romer
Time: 21:30
Place: Plaza de la Merced.
Blue Sound Orchestra
Time: 22:30
Place: Plaza de la Merced.
Cover Band “POP FM”
Time: 23:00
Place: Plaza Bartolomé Pérez.
DJ
Time: Midnight
Place: Avenida San Juan de Puerto Rico.
Urta Festival Funfair
Place: Avenida San Juan de Puerto Rico.
Sunday, 2 August
“Urta a la Roteña” Cooking Competition
Time: 18:00
Place: Central Market.
The competition focuses on Rota’s traditional fish dish, Urta a la Roteña. The jury inspects the ingredients and fish on site before the finished dishes are taken to Plaza de la Merced for judging.
Exhibition and Tasting of Urta a la Roteña Dishes
Time: 21:00
Place: Plaza de la Merced.
Blue Sound Orchestra
Time: 22:30
Place: Plaza de la Merced.
Urta a la Roteña Cooking Competition Awards Ceremony
Time: 22:30
Place: Plaza Bartolomé Pérez.
Flamenco: Jesús Méndez “Quiero Cantarte”
Time: 23:00
Place: Plaza Bartolomé Pérez.
Chess on the Street in Costa Ballena
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Place: Outside near the Tenencia de Alcaldía building
Free activity. Information: 637 763 044.
Urta Festival Funfair
Final day at Avenida San Juan de Puerto Rico.
Tuesday, 4 August
Classic Music: Trío Cordilegio Concert
Time: 21:30
Place: Alcalde Felipe Benítez Auditorium
Price: €5.
Photographs of Pepe Basto Exhibition Opens
Place: Castillo de Luna
The exhibition runs from 4 to 15 August.
Wednesday, 5 August
Flamenco Flashmob by Aires Flamencos Association
Time: 21:30
Place: Plaza San Roque.
Astronomical Observatory in Costa Ballena
Time: 22:00
Place: Outside near the Tenencia de Alcaldía building
Information: 956 847 010 or 630 407 896.
Thursday, 6 August
Children’s Workshop: “Sea Squashies”
Time: 20:30 to 22:30
Place: Opposite Hotel Alegría, Costa Ballena
Price: €3 for one activity or two activities for €5
Information: 678 789 026.
Night Race and Nordic Walking
Time: 19:00 to 22:30
Start and finish: Peña del Águila sports area, Costa Ballena.
Craft Beer Tasting with Food Pairing
Price: €25 per person, IVA included
Place: Aqua Punta Candor, Punta Candor Suites
Information: 634 970 204.
Friday, 7 August
Costa Ballena Three-Point Contest
Time: 18:00 to 22:00
Place: Peña del Águila sports area, Costa Ballena.
Circuito Heineken
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club
Information: 956 847 070.
Saturday, 8 August
Brunch and Balance
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club
Information: 956 847 070.
Night Street Market in Costa Ballena
Time: 19:00 to midnight
Place: Avenida Juan Carlos I, near the Tenencia de Alcaldía building.
Sunday, 9 August
Chess on the Street in Costa Ballena
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Place: Outside near the Tenencia de Alcaldía building
Free activity. Information: 637 763 044.
Second-Hand Market
Time: 08:30 to 14:00
Place: Old Renfe esplanade, Rota.
Monday, 10 August
Historic Organ Concert
Time: 21:00
Place: Nuestra Señora de la O Church.
El Gato Winery Tasting
Time: 19:30
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: €15
Includes a tasting of three wines, one of them Tintilla de Rota.
Place: Avenida San Fernando, 40
Reservations: 956 810 203 or 686 971 380.
Tuesday, 11 August
Jazz Concert: Dee Jay Foster and María Pascual Montalvo
Time: 21:30
Place: Castillo de Luna
Price: €4.
Bike Ride and Road Safety Education
Time: 11:00
Departure: Near the main door of the Costa Ballena Intermodal Station
Free activity.
Wednesday, 12 August
Flamenco Show: Young Flamenco Talents
Time: 22:00
Place: Plaza Bartolomé Pérez.
Charm Street Market Begins
Dates: 12 to 16 August
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club.
Thursday, 13 August
Craft Beer Tasting with Food Pairing
Price: €25 per person, IVA included
Place: Aqua Punta Candor, Punta Candor Suites
Information: 634 970 204.
Charm Street Market
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club.
Friday, 14 August
“De los Dolores” Brotherhood Block Party
Time: 20:00
Place: Plaza de la Merced
Performances include an equestrian show by Manuel “Piruat”, carnival music and DJ Alex.
Torneo Villa de Rota, Cruzcampo
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club
Information: 956 847 070.
El Gato Winery Tasting
Time: 19:30
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: €15
Includes a tasting of three wines, one of them Tintilla de Rota.
Place: Avenida San Fernando, 40
Reservations: 956 810 203 or 686 971 380.
Charm Street Market
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club.
Saturday, 15 August
Final Day of the Pepe Basto Photography Exhibition
Place: Castillo de Luna
Opening hours: 10:00 to 13:45 and 19:15 to 21:45.
Charm Street Market
Place: Costa Ballena Golf Club
The market continues until 16 August.
Tickets and Booking Information
Events at Castillo de Luna
Tickets are sold at the reception desk two hours before each performance. A maximum of two tickets per person is available, until sold out.
Alcalde Felipe Benítez Municipal Auditorium
Box office hours are Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:00 and two hours before the show. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 956 810 022.
Food, Wine and Local Visits
El Bucarito Cheese Factory
Guided visits with tasting are available. Registrations: 600 084 342.
Las Lagunetas Equestrian Club
Activities include riding lessons, stabling and livery, classical dressage, high school training, Spanish Doma Vaquera, horse walks and guided tours. Place: Camino Rincones-Las Asomadas, s/n. Telephone: 637 746 006.
Opening Hours for Monuments and Places to Visit
Municipal Palace Castillo de Luna
Summer opening hours listed in the guide: Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 15:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00.
Address: Calle Cuna, 2.
Nuestra Señora de la O Church
16th century. Open from 08:00 to 13:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00, except Monday from 10:00 to 13:00.
Address: Plaza Bartolomé Pérez.
San Juan Bautista, La Caridad Chapel
17th century. Open Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 20:00 to 22:00. Saturday from 10:30 to 13:00. Closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Address: Plaza Andalucía.
San Roque Chapel
17th century. Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00. Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00. Closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Address: Plaza San Roque.
Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. Closed Monday.
Address: Avenida de la Diputación, 37.
Tourist Information
Costa Ballena Tourist Office
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00
Location: Next to the Bus Station, Avenida Juan Carlos I
Telephone: 956 847 010
Email: [email protected]
Rota Tourist Office
Location: Plaza de España, 1
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:30. Saturday from 11:15 to 14:00.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 956 846 345
For updated event information, the municipal guide also recommends checking the official Rota events calendar at rota.es/eventos.