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Places in Spain -
Almeria and Almeria
Province
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On the eastern edge of
Andalucia
lies the province of Almeria. It takes
its name from its capital city which
lies on the southern coast of the
province. The area could have remained
somewhat unknown if it hadn't been for
the film companies who discovered that
the area offered ideal film sets for
films such as Lawrence of Arabia and
Patton. Hundreds of westerns have been
produced in the local hillsides of the
Tabernas Desert. |
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Almeria,
despite its rugged landscape and shortage of fertile soil, has
managed, with a good irrigation system, to become an important
growth area and it is well known for the quality of its
oranges and white grapes, most of which are exported from its
port. As you drive through the province you will see an
endless sea of polythene tunnels, crammed with produce.
The
area is almost totally dependent on this industry. The
province of Almeria may initially appear to be a barren
desert-like landscape but on close inspection you will find it
to be the Andalucian province with the longest stretch of
beaches. Empty beaches and tiny hidden coves with perfectly
clear water.
Because
of the diverse landscapes, the range of sports activities is
endless from water sports to hiking, paragliding, horse riding
and golf. |
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Almeria
city
itself
is
a
pleasant
and
largely
modern
city
and
offers
a
relaxing
holiday
destination
and
has
a
wealth
of
history
to
offer.
The
Phoenicians
founded
the
town,
Carthaginians,
Romans
and
Moors
all
occupied
it
before
Ferdinand
and
Isabella
finally
recovered
it
for
Spain
during
the
re-conquest. |
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| The cathedral is a must see, as is the Alcazabar, above, built in 995. Enjoy a quiet stroll through the Nicolas Salmeron Park then head up towards the caves in the old gypsy quarter. A good time to visit Almeria is during the annual fair in August. From Almeria it is easy to visit many small towns and villages that offer true, unspoilt Spain. Take your time exploring the city of Almeria and make sure you see the old quarter where you will find Casa de los Puche and the market area of Plaza Vieja. Almeria is quite unique in so much as it is half Spanish and half African. Many of the local workers are of African origin. The port has a ferry service to Africa. |
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| In the centre of the city is La Rambla, a long avenue with squares in which to rest and play parks for the children. Almeria city has a major ferry port, a sports marina and a working fishing port. |
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If you head along the west coast of Almeria, along the N340 highway, you will pass huge cliffs that shelter small coves. After about 13km you will come to Aguadulce that presents a good tourist centre with hotels and apartments. There is also a yacht harbour and a coastline that offers water sports of every description. Further along you find Roquetas de Mar, a typical fishing village where the white houses contrast with the colourful harbour. Here you will see the ruins of the castles of Santa Ana and Los Bajos. At the nearby urban development there is an 18 hole golf course and facilities for many other sports. From here, head for the beautiful Punta Entinas with areas untouched and undeveloped.
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A little to the west is Almerimar, a tourist complex with several kilometres of beach, crystal clear waters and a marina for over 1000 vessels. Almerimar also offers 18 hole golf, hotels, a camp site and apartments. |
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About 11km west of here is Adra, a town of about 20,000 inhabitants and a former Roman colony. A fortress stands on the hill, overlooking the town. The towers and walls remain. The parish church dates from the 18th century and is worthy of a visit. The town has always had naval connections and nowadays has a fine sports harbour and yacht club. The beaches are long and wide and the coastal lagoons are a haven for many bird species. The town is well known for its handcrafted coral work.
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| On the eastern edge of the Costa Almeria you will find Mojacar, a place founded by the Carthaginians and its steep, narrow streets show a Moorish influence. The parish church consists of undecorated stonework in almost military fashion.
Almeria is the region in Spain with the greatest number of cloudless days, exceeding 3000 hours of sunshine during the year. Its average temperature is 18º and during the summer the average is 24.6º. The waters here are almost crystal clear and usually warmer than the air.
All in all, Almeria offers a diverse landscape with some excellent beaches, beautiful countryside and a wealth of history. The province is surrounded by the provinces of Granada, Murcia and Malaga. |
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Clubs in Almeria
There is now a family run snooker club in Almería, situated between Antas and Vera at km 534 of the E15. The website is www.potblack.info and contact number 950459135 for more infomation. |
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Bargain priced Insurance for your holiday home in Spain or for your Spanish home. Policies in English and English speaking helplines. The prices are the lowest you will find anywhere |
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