Discover the intimate gem of Andalusia, the mysterious city of Almeria

Almeria is a beauty of Andalusia renowned for its charm and the interesting past that it holds. It not only is an exotic stop for nature lovers and pleasure seekers but also provides inspiration to the history aficionados. Once you are in Spain you must give this city a visit to pay homage to what it stands for. There are stunning natural coves that mesmerize the onlookers and clear blue waters that make you fall in love with the place. Moreover, the desert allows the visitors a calm atmosphere to enjoy delicious and sparkling mojitos under the starlit sky and the cruise trip around the island lets the travellers enjoy the marine life in its surroundings. Here is a complete holiday guide for those looking for a vacation in Almeria.

Discover the diving sites near Cabo De Gata UNESCO Marine Reserve

The rocky coastline around Cabo de Gata Natural Park is quite an interesting place with 40 designated diving sites. These sites encompass tunnels, caves and underwater chambers. Not only they are thriving with colourful marine life but also provide an adrenaline-infused experience for the divers. Many companies offer boat trips and kayak tours to these marine reserves. Kayaks and boats can be rented as well from the nearby seaside towns. Tunnel Naranja, Cueva Del Frio and Cerro Negro are the most famous diving sites of all. You can also get assistance from skilled divers to help you in your endeavour.

Wander in the fortified walls of Alcazaba:

Almeria being rich in its historical monuments allows its visitors to have a cherished visit of a 10-century-old citadel of Alcazaba. The word Alcazaba is derived from the Arabic term Alqasba, meaning a fortification in a city. This medieval time Islamic fortified complex is an intrinsic site to explore. Wander in its multiple courtyards, plazas, rooms and towers and relish the old Islamic architecture. The films Conan The Barbarian, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade have scenes captured here. Beneath this walled city lies the famous tunnel system of the Refugios De La Guerra Civil, which was constructed to protect the civilians during the Spanish Civil War.

Try the delicacies of Almeria:

Seafood is the main speciality of this beautiful city and it stands out from the rest. Moreover, tapas, grilled artichokes, prawns, tagine, caviar, red tuna sashimi, mandarin sorbet and apple ravioli are also some famous delights to savour. To find best Italian and vegetarian cuisine, visit El Jardin in the seaside town of San Jose and if you want to treat yourself with some elegant and sophisticated food, have a lunch or dinner stop at Asador La Chumbera in Agua Amarga. Furthermore, to experience the effect of Arab culture and heritage on Spanish cuisine visit TeteriaAlmedina in Alcazar and have a taste of the famous mint and lemon cordial, lamb tagine or taste the divine date and chocolate stuffed pastries.

Where to find a perfect drinking stop:

Almeria is a happening spot with a vibrant social scene. Apart from high end resorts and Michelin starred restaurants the city is dotted with a number of quality bars and pubs, where locals and foreigners love to interact and have some good time together. These bars are quite famous for their arty décor, hearty cocktails, delicious tapas and inquisitive music, whichin some places is played live. Jo Bar aka Jolie Rouge and Discoteca Chamanin Escullos, Capitan De Las Sardinasin Las Negras andEl Vino En Un Barco are some impeccable spots to find ingenious cocktails, spiced rum and ginger beer.

Finding accommodation in Almeria:

Although Almeria is not as famous, as other Spanish metropolitans like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia but this virgin hideout in Andalusia offers quite spectacular spots to stay. There are impeccable resorts, beachside villas and hotels where the tourists can find their dwellings according to their requirement and budget. NH Ciudad de Almeria, Hotel Blanca Brisa, Plaza Vieja Hotel, Sercotel Gran Fama and Nuevo Torreluz hotel are some of the hot favourites among the travellers. Spain being a famous tourist destination all year round offers pleasant weather and countless attractions and Almeria is one such city where you can find everything of your interest. You can buy cheap flights to Spain to explore this beautiful city.

Visit the Tabernas desert:

In the north of Almeria lies, the TabernasDesert stretched on an area of 280 square kilometres. Being the only desert in Europe Tebernas takes its visitors with a surprise. It is rightly known as the Hollywood of Almeria because of the fact that the location is used in a number of Hollywood films. Nature lovers, hikers and film crews are attracted to this place for more than half a century. Films like the Wild West, Lawrence of Arabia, Exodus, and Indiana Jones are screened here and the sets are still intact where people come to visit them. This barren desert has a fair share of vegetation like the sea lavender, tamarisk, broom, dodder and cacti etc., and in its ravines and canyons provide shelter to many endemic wild bird and animal species. This is why it is quite a desirable cinematic location. The main attraction of the desert is the Fort Bravo, which is picturesquely located by a canyon and can be reached by an adventurous safari ride. This ghostly town provides the filmmakers with an impeccable location and the travellers a taste of desert wilderness in Europe. A few miles away from Fort Bravo lies, Oasys and Western Leonewhichoffer comprehensive tourist attractions. A number of war and fantasy based films are produced here thus, making this desert famous worldwide.

Explore the tranquil town of Rodalquilar:

Rodalquilar is a town dominated by a once thriving gold mine. This colourful town lies in the heart of Cabo De Gata Natural Park and controls its administration. Although, the mine in the village is now closed tours are still available to experience all the deserty things. The tours also encompass a nine-hectare botanical garden, a surreal surrounding valley and a family friendly El Playazo beach. Even being a ruin this spot is quite interesting to explore.

Unravel the coves of Cabo De Gata Natural Park:

This national park has a wealth of nature to unravel. Apart from its mysterious hidden coves, there are a number of quaint towns in it. These are San Jose, Las Negras, Agua Amarga, Nijar, with stunning beaches and a number of eateries, pubs and bars. These villages are a good spot to start the journey towards the coves. The best way to reach these coves is by a boat or on foot. Although the walks can be quite challenging and are fit for the adventure seekers they are guaranteed to be rewarding. From Las Negras, there is an 11 km hike with a number of attractions on the way and for those who prefer less exertion can take the 1km Agua Amarga-Carboneras road. Hiking through these coves can be fun while exploring the nearby beaches and admiring the beautiful towns.