Perched on the sun-kissed shores of Bolonia, where rolling dunes meet the turquoise sea, Baelo Claudia is one of the best-preserved Roman towns in Spain. Founded around the 2nd century BC, this ancient settlement flourished under Emperor Claudius, driven by fishing, salting fish, and producing the famous “garum” sauce.
What makes Baelo Claudia special is how much of its heart is still there: you can wander between market ruins (macellum), thermal baths, a basilica, temples (including one dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis), and a theatre built into the slope that once echoed with performances and public spectacle.
The layout of the town is classically Roman — with a cardo and decumanus (major north-south and east-west streets) meeting in a grand Forum surrounded by temples, administrative buildings, and shops. Massive walls with gates guard the city, and ancient aqueducts once carried life-giving water.
All around you, the striking contrast of sea, sand and ruins makes for unforgettable views: from walls you can see the broad beach of Bolonia and even glance across the Strait of Gibraltar towards Morocco on clear days. The setting is dramatic, poetic — a place where time seems to fold back.
