Making the most of Roses
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The Port of Roses is under 500 metres from the town centre. Larger cruise ships use tenders here.
Established by Greeks before the Christian era, this Catalan town occupies a beautiful sweep of beaches on Spain's Costa Brava. Above it stands the Castell de la Trinitat, once anchoring the medieval wall around the entire town. Buy a souvenir from the back of a street hawker's donkey, or continue to nearby Figueres or Cadaques to see one of Salvador Dali's museums.
Roses attractions include the historic-artistic La Ciudadela site and the parish church of Santa María in the town centre.
Some of the Costa Brava's most appealing and least crowded beaches are near Roses. A short distance away, an extensive beach continues as far as historic Sant Martí de Empuries, which has a charming beach of its own.
Getting around
Take an unhurried walk through the charming streets of Roses, browsing local shops, boutiques and cafés. The town's relaxed atmosphere makes leisurely exploration especially easy.
Nearby places
Figueres, home to the Dali museum, and Girona are both easy to reach, with excellent shopping and cultural experiences.
At nearby Cap de Creus, the Pyrenees descend to the sea. Reach it through the beautiful coastal artists' village of Cadaqués, made famous by Salvador Dalí and Picasso.
Money
Euro is the currency.
A euro contains 100 cents. Eight coins are available: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent pieces, plus 1 and 2 Euro coins. Seven bank notes are issued in these values: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Staying connected
Spanish is the official language throughout the country, although several regions also use other languages. These are Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a distinct variety of Catalan in the Balearic Islands.
Dial 112 free of charge for emergencies throughout Spain. Assistance is provided in Spanish and, in some tourist areas, also in English, French and German.
Opening Hours and
Shops and businesses most commonly trade Monday to Saturday from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, then from 16.30 to 20.00 h.
Large shopping centres and department stores remain open continuously from 10.00 h until 21.00 or 22.00 h. Some of these larger shops also open on Sunday.
In coastal cities during high season, shops usually remain open beyond 22.00 h.
Pharmacies operate from 9.30 to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h. Major cities have pharmacies open 24 hours, while a rota for late opening is printed in newspapers and displayed at every pharmacy.