Situated on a large bay in Spain's northwest corner of the Costa Brava, Roses boasts pristine lagoon-like waters that have been recognized as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The surrounding area is teeming with wildlife including a large diversity of birds -- among them, nightingales, herrings and cuckoos, making Roses an excellent destination for avid birdwatchers.
While the picturesque beaches and stunning Aiguamolls Nature Reserve get top billing in Roses, there are also a number of historic sites in this ancient city, which was colonized by Greece in the 8th-century. To learn more about Roses' history visitors can take an excursion to the town's 16th-century citadel, where there is a small museum and some Greek and Roman ruins, or tour the Castillo de la Trinidad where they'll be rewarded with spectacular views.