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Ideally located between land and sea, Almería is not only perfectly situated for exploring the region’s treasures , but also has a fascinating heritage to visit.
You’ll be seduced by its imposing Alcazaba overlooking the bay, its fortified cathedral, its calm beaches and its vibrant atmosphere.
In this article, we share our 6 reasons to visit Almería and enjoy your trip.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is Almería worth a visit?
Almería is well worth a visit for its rich historical heritage and contrasting landscapes. We were particularly impressed by its majestic Alcazaba, one of the largest Muslim fortresses in Spain.
And its strategic location between sea and desert offers a diversity of landscapes to explore, including the Tabernas Desert and the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, with its unspoilt volcanic landscapes.
Reason 1 – Its majestic Alcazaba, a historical treasure
If you’re visiting Almería, you won’t want to miss its Alcazaba! Perched on a hill overlooking the city and its bay, this fortress is one of the most impressive medieval defensive monumental ensembles in al-Andalus (period of Arab rule between the VIIIᵉ and XVᵉ centuries). We even preferred it toMalaga’s Alcazaba! Like us, you’ll be seduced by its vast and remarkable architecture, its well-preserved remains and its incredible panoramas.
WHERE TO STAY IN Almeria
Option 1: In the historic center
Our selection coming soon
- Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel 2 – See prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Outdoors
Our selection coming soon
- Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel 2 – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Almeria (coming soon)
Reason 2 – Its remarkable religious heritage
After the Christian reconquest of Almería in 1489, the city was adorned with many interesting religious buildings to explore:
- The Cathedral of the Incarnation, a titanic construction initiated in the 16th century that blends late Gothic and Renaissance styles. What makes it special is its fortified appearance, with defensive towers to protect the town from pirate attacks!
- The Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, founded in 1514 as a women’s monastery, whose peaceful atmosphere should appeal to you.
- The Statue of the Sagrado Corazon de Jesu, erected in 1930 next to the walls of the Alcazaba, destroyed at the start of the Civil War (1936-1939) and rebuilt in 1946.
Reason 3 – Cabo de Gata Park, a natural gem
Cabo de Gata Natural Park offers a breathtaking natural spectacle of pristine beaches, volcanic landforms and breathtaking panoramas.
There’s no doubt you’ll be mesmerized by the varied landscapes, including exceptional salt marshes, and the diverse flora and fauna.
You can explore this natural paradise via numerous hiking trails or enjoy water sports activities along the coast.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
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- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
Reason 4 – The cinematic Tabernas Desert
No, you are not dreaming! You’re in a desert in Europe!
Nicknamed the “Wild West of Andalucia”, the natural setting of the Tabernas Desert has served as the backdrop for numerous films since the 1960s, including the famous spaghetti westerns such as Sergio Leone’s legendary The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Today, it’s possible to visit the former film sets, which have been transformed into an amusement park (with various shows including duel re-enactments, a zoo and a water park). You can also choose to visit at your own pace, by taking one of the many hiking trails.
Reason 5 – Its strong historical heritage
The history of Almería can be seen in the many remains that bear witness to successive civilizations:
- If you’re into archaeology, we recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum, which houses treasures from the Roman era, as well as the Los Millares site (more info here), considered to be the most important Copper Age deposit in Europe.
- The city’s Arab heritage includes the imposing Alcazaba, the narrow streets of the old medina and the Jayran cisterns, which supplied the city with water.
- Finally, recent history can be read at the Local History Museum, where you’ll be amazed to discover the tunnels dug by local residents to protect themselves from bombardment during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Reason 6 – Anchored by land and sea
Almería enjoys a privileged location between the sea and the mountains, offering an exceptional diversity of landscapes.
We were charmed by traditional white villages like Nijar, Mojacar and Vélez Blanco, nestled in the hinterland.
The Costa Tropical, meanwhile, boasts some of the finest beaches in the world, including Playa de la Herradura and Playa de la Rijana, punctuated by picturesque villages such as Frigiliana, Nerja and Motril.
You can also enjoy the proximity of the Sierra Nevada, which offers a striking contrast with the Mediterranean coastline.
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO andalucia
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Some disadvantages of a trip to Almería
Urban ambience
Almería is first and foremost a city of passage, with a sometimes limited tourist infrastructure. We’ve noticed that some downtown streets lack maintenance, which can detract from the city’s overall charm.
Nevertheless, you’ll appreciate the city’s dynamic atmosphere, creating an interesting contrast between the renovated historic districts and the more popular areas, such as the La Chanca district and its colorful houses.
Visual pollution
While the Almería region offers spectacular scenery, it unfortunately reveals another face. Intensive greenhouse farming has covered most of the world’s land with plastic sheeting, known as invernaderos, to feed Europe through the winter.
Indeed, Almería has become Europe’s largest producer of fruit and vegetables.
This sea of plastic, nicknamed “Europe’s condominium”, bitterly underlines the alteration of the landscape and the worrying environmental impact of this economic success story.
The Spanish way of life
The rhythm of life in Spain, with its traditional siesta and staggered mealtimes, can throw you off balance. Many shops close between 2pm and 5pm, and dinner generally doesn’t start until 9pm. It’s important to adapt to this lifestyle to get the most out of your stay. We advise you to plan your visits around these times, and to take advantage of the end of the day to discover the city when the activity picks up again.
Accessibility problems
Weather conditions can sometimes complicate travel, with sandstorms and heavy rain typical of the region. We also noted that the layout of the city, with its narrow cobbled streets, can be a challenge for people with reduced mobility.
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How to get to Almería
If you want to visit Almería and the Costa Tropical from abroad, the easiest way is to fly to Málaga. There is an airport in Almería, but it only offers flights within the city and occasionally to London.
From Malaga airport, you can rent a car and reach Almería in 2h30.
The city is easily accessible thanks to major roads such as theA-7 (Mediterranean freeway) and theA-92, which link the city to other regions.
Note also that the BlaBla car application works very well between towns in the same region.
If you’re already in Andalucia, you can reach Almería by train, which includes a
from Granada in around 2 hours. You can book your tickets on the Renfe website here.
The city also boasts an efficient public transport network with various bus routes. More info on the official website here.
Finally, for cycling enthusiasts, Almería offers over 80 kilometers of cycle paths, notably along La Rambla and Paseo Mar.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
Inspiration
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- Where to stay in Andalucia
- Best luxury hotels in Andalusia (coming soon)
- Rent a car in Andalucia
- Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks (coming soon)
