7 Reasons to Visit Spain’s Hidden Gem

Almeria is an typically missed Spanish hidden gem that gives unspoiled seashores, a singular desert panorama, and an extended historical past of tradition and warfare – a super vacation spot for sun-seekers, historical past buffs, and adventurers.

Almeria in Southern Spain has been known as the sunniest metropolis in Europe and has lately gained awards for its meals. It is simply a few hours by highway from neighboring cities Màlaga and Granada, so why isn’t Almeria as well-known?

Described by many as a hidden gem, Almeria is much less developed than different vacationer locations on the Andalucian coast. Still, it gives a lot to the traveler, whether or not they’re solar seekers or want historical past and tradition.

Almeria is commonly missed by vacationers drawn to the award-winning seashores in Màlaga or extra well-known historic websites at Granada just like the Alhambra, however this metropolis has each, and extra.

Here’s what we expect will enable you determine to go to Almeria.

Where is Almeria?

Almeria is on the South coast of the area of Andalucia, simply 130 km from Granada, and midway alongside the coast between Màlaga and Cartagena. 

It sits on the mouth of the Andarax River forward of a spot within the Sierra Mountain vary, a gateway to the inside of the Iberian Peninsular.

Getting There

Almeria does have its airport with common companies from a number of European capitals together with London, Dublin, Paris, and Warsaw, and likewise from different cities corresponding to Rotterdam within the Netherlands, Manchester, and Birmingham within the UK.

For different nations and areas, the airports at Granada, Murcia, and Màlaga aren’t too distant, and transfers by way of practice, or hiring a automotive can get you to the town in a few hours. Take the A7 freeway alongside the coast or the A92 behind the mountains.

Unlock the Secrets of Almeria’s Stunning Coastline

1. Unspoiled Beaches

The lack of growth and the protected nature of the shoreline implies that the seashores at Almeria are among the most pristine within the Mediterranean. With over 300 days of sunshine yearly, this has acquired to be the primary cause to go to Almeria and the encircling coastal area.

The Playa Los Genoveses is one such seaside, tucked away within the close by nationwide park. Because of the legal guidelines governing growth within the park, it has retained its pure magnificence with the automotive park set a little bit method behind the seaside.

It is surrounded by gorgeous volcanic hills and no man-made buildings, so take a picnic and loads of water. The village of San José is 2 km from the automotive park and the seaside is simply accessible on foot.

Compared to the city man-made seaside, the Malagueta on the seafront at Màlaga, this seaside is just the exact opposite. If it weren’t for the opposite beachgoers the highly effective sense of pure wilderness could be overwhelming.

The Playa Agua Amarga has all of the family-friendly, tourist-ready companies you’ll be able to consider, whereas to the west of the seaside, the extra intrepid traveler can uncover small rocky coves. There is parking subsequent to the seaside, making it very accessible, and whereas the city has been developed for tourism, it hasn’t been overdeveloped and nonetheless retains a whole lot of its authentic allure.

The Playa del Zapillo is the principle city seaside of the town of Almeria, located to the East of the seaport it has polled extremely in customer rankings and is at present sitting within the prime spot possible as a result of its attractive golden shell sand and its accessibility from the town middle.

It is terrific for adrenaline sports activities and is a prime spot for windsurfers, kite surfers, and different actions.

2. Cabo De Gata National Park

The National Park in Andalucia has the one desert in Europe, together with the bottom recorded rainfall on the continent of Europe. It is a wild panorama, dotted about with purple peaks of volcanic rock on which dry vegetation clings. 

• The shoreline is the longest protected space on the Mediterranean and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Eco-tourism is massive within the National Park, with birdwatching excursions, recognizing flamingos, spoonbills, and bee-eaters excessive on the must-do listing. Guided journeys begin at €35.
• The Caldera de Majada Redonda mountain climbing path takes about two hours from the beginning level in a dry river mattress, ending within the crater of an extended extinct volcano.
• Alternatively, there are horse driving trails and jeep trails that may take you deep into the wild panorama of the park with its deserted farmsteads and dust-covered empty villages. Rides begin at €40.

The land is difficult, and makes an attempt to domesticate the arid volcanic hills typically resulted in failure. When there’s different, extra productive land within the area it’s straightforward to see why the Cabo de Gata is so empty.

3. Tapas

You can’t come to Southern Spain and never pattern the native tapas custom. In Almeria, one of many greatest Andalusian cities to go to, it has developed to some extent the place while you purchase a drink at a taverna, you by no means know what may include it.

• Free tapas are typically served with beer, wine, or lemonade as a part of the hospitality of a metropolis that has seen vacationers come and go for hundreds of years. 
• For a top-rated tapas that caters to everybody, together with vegetarians, vegans, and coeliacs try Jovellanos within the outdated a part of city. Prices are affordable and the parts beneficiant. 
• The metropolis of Almeria was awarded the title of ‘Food Capital of Spain’ in 2019, spotlighting the town’s dedication to conventional tapas.

4. Alcazaba Fort

The Alcazaba Fort was begun in 955, its partitions defending the native seat of energy, a mosque, and the troopers required to defend the area. It has been added to, modified, and expanded over centuries by each Muslim and Christian rulers.

• The palace boasts royal baths, swimming pools, patios, and gardens, whereas the fortified partitions afford spectacular views throughout the outdated metropolis to the ocean. 
• Visit the Tower of the Odalisque, the Tower of Mirrors, and the Cerro de San Cristóbal for one of the best views of the Alcazaba.
• You may acknowledge the Alcazaba because the fort has been utilized by Hollywood for Indiana Jones and Wonder Woman films, and, most lately, for season six of Game of Thrones.
• Entry is free for residents of the EU, and solely €1.50 for everybody else, which makes it a fairly whole lot. However, more often than not nobody is challenged and everybody will get in for nothing!

5. Desierto Tabernas

Following the film theme you’ll be able to go to the Tabernas Desert the place Lawrence of Arabia and A Fistful of Dollars have been filmed. Also, episodes of the British cult present Dr. Who have been additionally made right here.

• There are movie units open to the general public the place you may get a journey in a horse and cart and turn into a part of the outdated West with an all-day theme park tour from €59 per individual. 
• The Oasys Park brings the previous movie units to life with a tour and a present the place the native Sheriff confronts armed financial institution robbers.
• It is dwelling to yellow scorpions and black widow spiders, however they’re shy creatures and certain gained’t hassle you when you reenact scenes from well-known Sergio Leone films.

6. Cathedral Fortress of Almeria

The Cathedral at Almeria was constructed following an earthquake in 1522 that destroyed the mosque that had been transformed to Christian worship. Begun in 1524 it was designed to maintain the inhabitants secure, not solely from temptation by the satan, but in addition from assaults by Barbary pirates.

• Its home windows are set excessive within the thick partitions and its facade has minimal ornamentation that was added a lot later as soon as the menace had diminished.
• It is the one surviving instance of a cathedral fortress from the sixteenth century in Spain. 
• At every nook, there are spherical towers that after held cannons used to fend off assaults, and there are arrow slits and ramparts too, attribute of defensive structure. 
• The €5 entrance payment contains an audio information that can take you thru its 5 centuries of historical past.

7. Civil War Tunnels

Beneath the town of Almeria, tunnels run for greater than 4 kilometers, one other protecting, defensive piece of labor to guard the inhabitants from struggle. They are the best-preserved examples of civil struggle bunkers in Spain and have been constructed to deal with 40,000 individuals.

• Almeria was the final metropolis to fall to General Franco’s forces after main bombardments. Once the struggle was over the tunnels have been sealed and never rediscovered once more till 2001. They have since been opened to the general public and you may take a tour by way of a kilometer of tunnels that weave 9 meters beneath the town.
• Sixteen meters down there’s the working middle which had direct entry to the market in order that produce could possibly be transported underground in case of prolonged stays within the shelter.
• It has been made accessible for these with decreased mobility and is a cool place to go ought to you must escape the most popular a part of the day.
• Tickets begin at €11 and excursions are restricted to thirty individuals at a time as among the tunnel areas can really feel a little bit claustrophobic.

To conclude, Almeria is an missed vacation spot that has a lot to supply vacationers of every type. Unspoiled seashores, a singular desert panorama, and an extended historical past of tradition and warfare make it a super vacation spot for sun-seekers, historical past buffs, and adventurers alike.

With its easy accessibility to Màlaga, Granada, and the Cabo De Gata National Park, there’s something for everybody to discover, from the Alcazaba Fort to the Cathedral Fortress and the tunnels of the civil struggle. Not to say the award-winning tapas that make Almeria one of many meals capitals of Spain.

So why not make the journey and uncover the hidden gems that this Andalusian province has to supply?

Almeria is a vacation spot that shouldn’t be missed – come go to and unlock its secrets and techniques!

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Lucia is a Slovak expat residing in Southern Spain. On her weblog Viva la Vita, she shares her insights about lovely areas, hidden gems, and genuine experiences from Costa del Sol and past.