Bordered by Granada, Murcia, and the Mediterranean Sea, the province of Almeria is one of the least visited places in Andalucia despite its stunning coastline. Inland you will come across silent mountain valleys and a semi-desert scrubland that was deemed the perfect place for filming spaghetti westerns such as “The good the bad and the ugly.”
In Almeria, the Sorbas caves are a major attraction, as is the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar and its fabulous beaches.
For nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, the wooded peaks of Los Vélez are ideal for hiking and mountain biking, while the city of Almeria offers culture and nightlife.
Almeria’s attraction is that it remains virtually unknown outside of Spain.
Visitors to Almeria can enjoy the province and feel like they have stumbled upon a place yet to be added to the tourist map.
Below we have put together a list of what we think are the main attractions in Almeria.
Where you decide to stay in Almeria depends very much on what you want to do while on holiday. If you like the feel of a city, stay in the port city of Almeria.
If you prefer a beach resort Mojacar is popular with British families while Roquetas de Mar attracts the Spanish beachgoer.
For a more laid back option stay in the fishing village of San Jose in the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar.
For backpackers and people looking for inexpensive places to spend the night, hostels are nearly always the best option.
In the city of Almeria, you don’t have shared room hostels but several budget hotels from which to select from.
Despite its name, the Hostal Maribel is a low-cost place to stay near Almeria’s bull ring. The historic city center is a 15-minute walk, and there is a bus stop right outside where you can catch a bus to the beach. Prices start from 52€ per night. – Check reviews here
Located in El Pozo de los Frailes near San Jose in the heart of the Cabo de Gata natural park, the recently renovated Hostal Bajio San Jose features modern air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms.
Prices start from 102€ per night for a double room. – Check reviews here
Overlooking one of Almeria’s best beaches in Roquetas de Mar, the 4-star all-inclusive Hotel Best Sabinal features two swimming pools, a children’s play area, and a spa.
Each large room features a balcony with sea views and comes with an empty mini-refrigerator. Prices start from 128€ per night. – Check reviews here
Located a five-minute walk from Almerimar Marina, the modern 5-star Hotel AR Golf Almerimar features a 27-hole golf course, two outdoor swimming pools, and a wellness center.
The hotel offers several restaurants and bars with live music and entertainment. Prices start from 180€ per night. – Check reviews here
The closest airport to Almería is Almeria Airport (LEI), with seasonal flights from the U.K. by easyJet and TUI. Malaga Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) offers year-round flights but is 182 kilometers from Almeria. – Check flights here
getting to Almeria by train is possible but can involve multiple changes of trains. Using Malaga as an example, you would first need to go to Granada and then change trains. The journey would take just over six hours. – Check schedules here
Almeria is one of the provinces in Andalucia where taking the bus is the best form of public transport. To get to Almeria from Malaga Airport takes five hours. – Check schedules here
Having a car when visiting Almeria is a big plus as it will not only get you there from Malaga Airport in two hours it will prove useful for getting around the province. – Check car hire here
In order to make travel planning as easy as possible, we gathered below a selection of our favorite companies. We love them for being reliable and offering the best deals in Southern Spain. All of the recommended companies have a top-notch customer service and have been tested by us first-hand.
Most people visit Almeria from June until August, with the beaches being the province’s biggest attractions. It can get scorching during July and August, with the sea temperature never below 24°C. The ideal month to visit is September as most people are back in work, and the kids are at school.
Almeria is considered Spain’s pantry, a land of greenhouses producing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons.
Innovatively many of the farms use helpful insects to protect the plants and prevent diseases rather than pesticides. Almeria is also famous for its fish and practice called “boat to table” where the daily catch of prawns, monkfish and squid is sold directly from the fishermen to restaurants.
Dishes typical of Almeria include the following:
The Pulpo Frito, also known as deep-fried octopus, had its origins in the coasts of Andalusia. It was developed by the wives of sailors many
The Spanish Gazpacho is a well known Andalusian food that went through a lot of changes when it comes to its ingredients. Even though the
The Boquerones en Vinagre, which means Anchovies in Vinegar, is a type of appetizer that had its origins in Southern Spain, also known as Andalusía.
The Berenjenas fritas con miel, which translates to fried eggplants with honey, is one of the protagonists of Andalusian cuisine. The fried eggplants originally come
A Guide to the best foods in Andalusia, Southern Spain incl. drinks, tapas and desserts Food in Spain is already a thing on its own.
Almeria offers visitors the chance to experience everything from a volcanic created coastline to a seemingly endless desert and snow-capped mountain peaks.
Ancient forests and precious white mountain villages are dotted throughout the interior, but most tourists visit Ameria for its spectacular beaches and endless sunshine.
As we have already mentioned, Almeria’s province is a little off the beaten track for tourists except for those who visit the beach resorts during the summer.
Having said that, Almeria’s city has some exciting attractions, and there are several places you can visit in a day.
Located in Almeria, the Alcazaba and its curtain-like walls became one of the most magnificent Moorish fortresses in Spain.
Constructed beginning in 1525 Almeria’s formidable cathedral was built to be both a place of worship and a refuge from pirates.
Originally called “Yucca City” when it was built for Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More in 1965, the park now features cowboy shootouts and much more to keep you entertained. – Book tickets here
Spend the day in Granada while immersing yourself in the Nasrid Kingdom by visiting the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. Enjoy tapas and a refreshing drink in the old Albaicín Arab quarter before heading back to Almeria. – Check tours here
Home of the famous Nerja Caves, this lovely seaside town and the village of Frigiliana make for a great day out. If you have the time go sea kayaking along the Maro cliffs or walk the Rio Chillar. – Check tours here
Head north up the AP-7 motorway and discover the Baroque majesty of Lorca and the Roman ruins in Cartagena. While in Cartagena, be sure and take a boat tour of the harbor.
A guide to the best things to do in Almeria when spending 3 days in Almeria, Southern Spain Almeria is a city for those trying
Hola, I'm Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for unforgettable trips to Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat. Let's dive in and explore Southern Spain's outdoors, food and culture con pasión! Read More…
