Official Language:
Spanish
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 179,000 people call Almeria home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Almeria (Costa del Sol)Spain: Almeria Spain Sub-Tropical mediterranean climate that is warm and dry average high temperature in June-September 80°F/27°C.
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The city of Almeria is located at the foot of a mountain range which is crowned by the magnificent Alcazaba, an Arab fortress built by the Calph of Cordoba, Abd-erRahman 111 with three huge walled enclosures (in the second of which are remains of a mosque, converted to a chapel by the Catholic kings. In times of war, the Alcazaba could hold an army of more than 20,000 men. From here, there is a good view of the city's famed cave quarter, 'Barrio de la Chanca' and of the strange fortified Cathedral with its gothic style construction and renaissance facade. Dating from the 16th century, it was built during an era when the southern Mediterranean was terrorised by the raids of Barbarossa and other Turkish and North African pirate forces, its corner towers once held canons. Situated in the centre is the great altar with its wealth of priceless art work including a tabernacle dating from the 18th century, designed by Ventura Rodriguez, paintings by Alonso Canoń; a typical Andalusian altar piece made by Araoz and the statue of St. Indaletius, the patron saint of Almeria, sculpted by Saizillo.
True historians will appreciate the Almeria Museum which contains numerous objects discovered by the well-known Belgian mining engineer, Louis Siret.
Gastronomic specialities include Gurullos (stew with pasta), Trigo (stew with grains of wheat, pork, beans and herbs), Gachas (hot and spicy clam stew) and Escabeche e Sardines (fresh sardines in hot sauce). As well as cultivating tourism over the past decade, Almeria has also cultivated innumerable plastic covered greenhouses and now produces the bulk of the province's fruit and vegetables, much of it for export.
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Almeria Motril (tel. 950/236-033). Taxis will be waiting to take you to your destination. Almeria is Spain's least famous coastline. This unknown quality aides in the beauty and quality of this fantastic coastline. It has a total of 200 kilometers of coast with long, uncrowded stretches of sand, pretty sheltered coves and the rugged wilderness of Spain's south eastern cape. The city of Almeria has a marina where you can enjoy various watersports including sailing, rowing, fishing and wind surfing. Almeria has an efficient bus system that can take you around the region without being a burden on your wallet. If you'd like a more personalized transportation option, consider taking a taxi. Contact Vera Taxi Rank (tel. 950/390-874) or Turre (tel. 950/479-334) to arrange for a pickup. If you'd prefer to rent a car while in Almeria, contact Almericar S.L. (tel. 950/478-605) and they will outfit you with a quality automobile at a reasonable price.
Cruise vacationers will discover that the city of Almeria, located at the foot of a mountain range is absolutely gorgeous. The Alcazaba is what enhances the beauty of this region. When Almeria was founded it was a Phoenician settlement, which thrived under the Roman. Today the city's white houses and Gothic cathedral fortress overlook the bay. The landscape interior of the province may not be most appealing in Spain but it does have a charming quality and ambiance that visitors and cruise ship passengers adore. The beaches and holiday resorts to the west and north east of the city of Almeria meet all the demands of the modern international holiday maker. And the city itself has many historic sites, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and shops to keep cruise passengers busy.
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Attractions |
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Moorish Alcazaba
When you visit Almeria on your cruise vacation you don't want to miss the Moorish Alcazaba Fortress and the ruins of Castillo de San Cristóbal, which overlooks the city and harbor. The Alcazaba has three different enclosures, and over the centuries it has served not only as a military fortress, but the headquarters of the Muslim kings and Christian Governors as well. Built back in the year 955, it is considered to be the what founded the city itself.
Granada
From Almeria visit Granada, an entire city that has been declared a national monument because of its architectural and historical genius. The lunar-like landscapes of Tabernas are accessible as well, on a shore visit.
Almeria Beaches and Watersports:
Almeria has one of the least known and most unspoilt stretches of coastline in the whole of Spain. It has a total of 200 kilometres of coast with long, uncrowded stretches of sand, pretty sheltered coves and the rugged wilderness of Spain's south eastern cape. The city of Almeria has a marina where you can enjoy various watersports including sailing, rowing, fishing and wind surfing. There's also a ferry terminal where you can take a trip over to North Africa.
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 for hikers, nature lovers, bird spotters and scuba divers. The crystal clear waters hide a wealth of marine life and the national park is home to exotic birds, huge lizards and brightly coloured butterflies.The area has escaped the trappings of modern day tourism and only has one small Spanish resort, San Jose, where the beaches are sandy and gently shelving. An unmade road leads from the village to the cliff top Cabo de Gata lighthouse passing several wonderful beaches and coves where you can swim and sunbathe undisturbed. No skyscraper hotels or beachcombers with ghetto blasters here! Head 13 kilometres (8 mil.) west along the coast from the city of Almeria and you'll come to the tourist resort of Aguadulce which provides a good range of facilities for holidaymakers including international bars, restaurants and a yacht harbour with plenty of watersports.
Roquetas de Mar (literally "little rocks of the seas"):
It is a little further west - a popular international resort which is now attracting a large number of foreign visitors, whilst still managing to retain its Spanish charm. This traditional fishing village is set against a beautiful mountain backdrop and enjoys many kilometres of uncrowded, sandy beaches. There's a bustling fishing harbour, a windsurfing school and plenty of watersports, bars and beachfront restaurants.
The next resort is Almerimar, a purpose-built tourist complex centred around the working fishing harbour and the modern yacht marina which has moorings for more than 1,000 boats. You'll see luxury yachts and power boats from all over Europe berthed here. The resort is flanked by two natural parks and long, unspoilt beaches. At the western end of Almeria province is the town of Adra, a former Roman colony which now boasts a modern sports marina and yacht club. The coastal lagoons here are a haven for many bird species including flamingoes. On the east coast of the province is the Moorish town of Mojacar which was the first to be discovered and exploited by the tour operators. This is now a thriving centre of international tourism with a lively beach and night scene in the summer months. The seafront is awash with bars, restaurants and entertainment in high season. The Spanish tapas bars are outnumbered by the burger bars, pizza joints and international restaurants catering for the seasonal influx of foreign visitors.
Tennis is quite popular in Almeria, and there are numerous great courts within the city. Hotel Eurotennis, located in Villajoyosa (96/589-1250), is one of the most popular facilities. Club de Tenis V. Alegre, which is located on Paraje El Olive Street in Huercal de Almeria, (950/300-390) is another hot spot for some tennis action. This club is particularly popular among doubles players. In addition, there are plenty of seats for your family and friends to cheer you on as you tempt fate against one of the local pros.
Golf is becoming increasingly popular in Spain, and Club de Golf Don Cayo is one of the premier clubs. Don Cayo is located on Conde de Altea 49 (965?/584-8046) and is quite fancy for the general modest state of Almeria. La Manga Club in Los Belones (968/137-234) features two 18-hole courses that are set perfectly amid aesthetic surroundings.
Dominguez Cazorla, found in the center of Almeria on Miguel Segura 3 (950/231-876), is the best place for antiques and gifts. The Art Deco oil lamps are marvelous, as are the copper and brass knick-knacks. Some of the precious items here are ancient and gloriously ornate, which makes window-shopping a great deal of fun.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Almeria Spain:
Almeria Spain Travel Information
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