
Cabo de Gata, Almeria © Spanish National Tourist Board
The Spanish province of Almeria boasts about 200 miles (322km)
of varied, scenic coastline that attracts package tourists to its
developed resorts near the main towns, but also offers idyllic
spots for nature-lovers to explore with its many unspoilt fishing
villages, long sandy beaches and small intimate coves popular with
nudists.
Sunny and mild, Almeria lies southeast of the Iberian Peninsula
on the Mediterranean Sea, still bearing the archaeological evidence
of the many ancient cultures, from the Tartessos and Phoenicians to
the Romans and Visigoths, who were drawn here by the natural beauty
and useful maritime geographic location. The region retains an
African flavour, imbibed from that continent which is a short
distance away across the Mediterranean.
Inland, Almeria is rather barren and arid, and boasts Europe's
only desert region around the village of Tabernas, which has been
used as the location for several western movies. In the east the
lunar-landscaped Cabo de Gata-Nijar nature reserve with its rugged
coastline, attracts hikers, birders and scuba divers. Despite the
dry, inhospitable landscape Almeria has developed a thriving
agricultural industry and plastic-covered tunnel farms packed with
lush fresh produce and flowers are to be seen in abundance.
Most visitors flock to the holiday resorts to the east and west
of the lively capital city of Almeria, which boasts picturesque
squares, some worthy sights to see, cafes, a ferry port and marina.
Lovely beaches, marinas, hotels and sports centres provide plenty
to keep holidaymakers happy in the resort towns of Mojacar to the
east, and Aguadulce, Roquetas de Mar and Almerimar to the west of
the city.
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following Costa Almeria holiday resorts: Roquetas de Mar, Adra and Mojacar
Attractions

Almeria © Gernot Keller
Almeria City
The ancient Andalusian city of Almeria lies sheltered at the
base of a bay, proudly dominated by the amazing Alcazaba, a huge
Moorish citadel with three walled enclosures dating from 995. From
the citadel visitors have a good view of the city’s most
impressive...
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Cabo de Gata Natural Park
Cabo de Gata Natural Park
A lighthouse stands at the tip of the Cabo de Gata peninsula,
north of Almeria city, marking the extremity of Andalusia's largest
coastal nature reserve, a fascinating landscape cocktail of arid
desert, volcanic mountains, jagged sea cliffs, sand dunes,
wetlands, a lagoon and sandy...
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Tabernas © Willem vdh
Tabernas
Movie buffs in particular enjoy a visit to the little village of
Tabernas, about 16 miles (26km) from Almeria city, set between the
Sierra de Alhamilla and Sierra de Filabres in a barren landscape of
canyons and rocky wasteland reminiscent of the American...
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