Almeria, Andalucia

Almeria - Overview:

Given Almeria's hot climate, it is no surprise that much of this sun-drenched province is comprised of a semi-arid desert-like landscape, tucked away in the far south-eastern corner of the Iberian peninsula. It has both the highest recorded hours of sunshine and lowest rainfall in Europe. Due to the predominantly dry weather, much of this area is a sparsely populated wilderness.

Rural Almeria:

With an annual average of 3,000 hours of sunshine, Almeria is home to Europe's largest solar energy plant, the Solar Platform of Almeria (PSA), an EU solar energy research centre. A fascinating site is to marvel at the rows of futuristic heliostats reflecting the sun's rays into the towering solar oven, converting the sun's energy into electricity. Almeria also has the clearest skies in Europe, so it was an ideal choice for the location of Europe's most powerful telescope near Gergal.

This hot climate and the natural protective barrier of the Sierra de Gador also means that Almeria is one of the most productive agricultural zones in Europe, with more than 10,000 hectares of cultivated land producing fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Much of inland Almeria is a parched, lunar landscape of low, mostly barren mountains and dried-up river beds - a little reminiscent of the North American Wild West. It is therefore no surprise that this is where many spaghetti westerns were shot. You can visit Mini Hollywood, near Tabernas, a former film set where A Fistful of Dollars and many other westerns were made, or the two other Wild West theme parks in the area: Texas-Hollywood and Western Leone.

Coastal Almeria:

One of Andalucia's largest coastal reserves is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. It enjoys protected status as one of Andalucia's most outstanding wildlife areas.

The port of Almeria is dominated by a vast Moorish citadel, the Alcazaba. Also well worth exploring is Almeria's old town, peppered with interesting monuments, including a cathedral with an impressive Gothic interior, a 300-year-old hospital and delightful tapas bars.

The coastline varies enormously, and the stretch of shore between Granada province and Almeria city appears to be absolutely filled with greenhouses. There is the occasional wildlife oasis however, such as the lakes in the Albuferas de Adra Natural Reserve, which attract numerous aquatic birds undeterred by the extent of agriculture that surrounds them.

Another protected enclave, south of the resort of Roquetas de Mar, is the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area, encompassing a beach and marshlands between two headlands in the municipality of El Ejido.

East of Almeria there is a remarkable change in the landscape as you draw nearer to the Cabo de Gata. The park has a long, rugged coastline with secluded bays and remote beaches, some linked only by footpaths. Much of the park is volcanic rocky mountains that plunge directly to the shore, creating one of Andalucia's most dramatic coastlines. The most popular resorts being Roquetas de Mar and Mojacar.

San Miguel del Cabo de Gata is the first village you find in the park on the way from Almeria, close to a saltwater lagoon with exceptional birdlife, the Salinas del Cabo de Gata. The next coastal village is the largest one in the park, San Jose, with the small resorts of Las Negras, La Isleta del Moro and Agua Amarga to the north.

Ancient Almeria:

Two sections of the Almeria desert have exceptional geological features: the Karst en Yesos de Sorbas Natural Area, the most outstanding gypsum landscape in Spain, and the strangely eroded mountains of the Desierto de Tabernas Natural Area.

Set against a rugged backdrop of the Sierra Alhamilla Natural Area, south of Sorbas, is the ancient village of Nijar, famous for its earthenware ceramics that it has produced since Phoenician times, using the same primitive techniques.

Southwest of Tabernas is Los Millares, Europe's largest Bronze Age settlement, and west of Los Millares is Almeria's section of the Sierra Nevada National Park.

Nestled in the northern corner of Almeria is the Sierra Maria-Los Velez Natural Park, a surprisingly extensive wooded area, given the otherwise arid aspect of Almeria's territory. The area has excellent walking terraub and the two main towns in the park - Velez Rubio and Velez Blanco - are well worth a visit, in particular to see the castle and Cueva de los Letreros with prehistoric rock paintings.

Almeria - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Andalucia, including Almeria. Privately owned villas, apartments, villas with pools and hotels, in beautiful coastal and rural locations, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking; exploring Spain's fascinating villages, towns and historic cities; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.