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Home > Spain > Mainland Spain > Almeria

Your holiday in Almeria

Steeped in history, yet vibrant and modern, Almeria holds a great deal of charm and begs to be explored. This sun-baked province possesses a semi-arid desert-like landscape, meaning Almeria benefits from the most hours of sunshine and lowest rainfall in Europe. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, crowned by the magnificent Alcazaba Arab fortress, this warm region is renowned for its medieval history, beautiful coastline and whitewashed fishing villages, which enjoy traditional markets and pretty winding streets. Renowned for its local produce, Almeria’s cuisine has a clear Arabic influence and is not to be missed.

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Hints of history

Almeria has a rich Arab history, and its Al-Andalus legacy can be seen everywhere in the buildings, culture and cuisine of the region. Most notably is the ‘La Alcazaba’, the Arabic fortress which dominates the town from its hilltop location. Here you can soak in the city’s rich past whilst enjoying magnificent views of the harbour. Connected to the fortress is the spectacular 11th century Wall of Jairan which was built by the first ruler of the Almeria taifa and descends the valley on the north side of the Alcazaba, whilst climbing the hillside of San Cristobal on the far. Almeria is a historians delight, with palaces, castles, churches, gardens, tombs, stately homes, and museums showcasing what this fantastic region has to offer.

Hit the Beach

Almeria has the most diverse range of beaches of all the Costa’s, with everything from popular resorts to rocky coves, including some of the most unspoilt stretches of coastline in the whole of Spain. It has a total of 200 kilometres of coast with long, uncrowned stretches of sand, pretty sheltered coves and the rugged wilderness of Spain's south Eastern Cape. To the east of the city is the wild and totally unspoilt area of Cabo de Gata. This area, which stretches for 45 kilometres north from the south eastern tip of Spain, has been declared a national reserve and is a magnet nature lovers.

Outdoor pursuits

Outdoor pursuits are in abundance in Almeria, in thanks to it being the lightest province in Spain with 3,127 hours of daylight a year. Visit the Cabo de Gata natural park, a wild and isolated landscape with some of Europe's most original geological features. This natural wonderland encompasses some quaint fishing hamlets, historic ruins and magnificent stretches of beach. Alternatively, why not explore Almeria’s cave houses; these curious dwellings are dug out of the soft sand-coloured cliffs and provide excellent insulation in the dry desert-like heat. They can be found all over the region and some of the natives still live in them to this day. For a traditional sightseeing experience, there are some fantastic towns in this region to sample. Alternatively, if you’re looking to pick up a bargain, the various markets in the local towns, including the Antique market at Mojacar are well worth a visit. For a taste of traditional Spain, the Vera bull ring is a historical bull fighting ring that has been reconstructed in keeping with the traditional style, complete with a fascinating museum detailing its history.

Fun packed days

From a visit to the desert town of Tabernas where you can have a day out at the wild west theme parks of Mini Hollywood and Texas Hollywood to enjoying some "high noon" style shoot-outs, can-can shows and various cowboy antics amid the remnants of the movie sets, there is plenty of fun to be had in Almeria. As you wander around, you will find reproductions of western shops, a carriage museum, a cinema museum, and you can even dress up western style for a photograph or meet the cowboys and take a ride in the stagecoach. For more fun for all the family, visit one of two Aqua parks in the area; Park Aquatico in Vera being the closest.

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Map of Almeria

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Take a trip to the desert town of Tabernas where you can visit the Wild West theme parks of Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone. All offer a fun day out in Europe's only desert region, with stagecoach rides, live shows, a zoo and the opportunity to quench your thirst in the saloon
Experience the attractive and busy resort of Mojacar, a distinctive hilltop town with clusters of whitewashed buildings and a maze of winding narrow streets
Head to the Sierra Nevada mountains for a spot of skiing
For more fun, visit the Park Aquatico in Vera, with plenty of flumes, children's slides and pools, a wave machine, kamikaze ride and much more
Visit the city of Almeria to experience the phenomenal historical culture, including the Arabic fortress, the Wall of Jairan and the Cathedral
Head to the Cabo de Gata natural park, which shelters an extraordinary wealth of wildlife and go snorkeling
Visit one of the various markets in local towns - the Antique market at Mojacar is not to be missed!
Spend a day at Villaricos; this traditional fishing village has a beautiful beach and some delightful fish restaurants
Explore the cave houses amongst the region. These curious dwellings are dug out of the soft sand-coloured cliffs and are a cool shelter from the dry desert-like heat
Take a trip to the Vera bull ring, a historical bull fighting ring that has been reconstructed in keeping with the traditional style