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Costa Almeria Travel Guide

Costa Almeria

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 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... see full details


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... see full details


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... see full details


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