Sunny Spain. Almeria and its white beaches. What to try in Almeria. Things to do in Almeria

Capital of the province of the same name, major seaport and famous tourist center. Rich story the city is reflected in numerous historical monuments, here you can see beautiful buildings, visit fascinating museums and exhibitions.

The most famous attraction is the Alcazaba fortress, which was built during the time of the Moors. The castle was built in the 13th century by the order of Emir Abdarakhman, after which it was repeatedly completed and expanded, so it eventually makes up a rather impressive architectural complex. On the very high tower Torre del Omenahe has a viewing platform from which visitors can admire the city's surroundings. Not far from the castle is the village of La Chanca, notable for the fact that its inhabitants have chosen as their homes small caves. Dwellings are equipped with the latest technology. Fishing has been the main industry of local residents for many centuries.

Another significant medieval building - Cathedral, which was erected in the middle of the 16th century. In the Middle Ages, the city was attacked by pirates, the cathedral repeatedly saved the inhabitants during raids, it looks more like a castle or a fortress than a religious shrine. The cathedral was destroyed several times, so its individual parts are made in different architectural styles, you can distinguish the features of Gothic, Renaissance and Classicism. Copyright www.site

Also worth a visit is the Templo de San Juan, which was built in the 17th century. Opposite the temple is the city hall building, beautiful and unusual, reminiscent of the outlines of a beautiful palace. Those wishing to visit the site of archaeological excavations can go to the town of Gador, where several prehistoric settlements were found and archaeologists continue to work at present.

Ancient hospitals can hardly be classified as classic sights, but the Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene located in Almeria is an exception. It is located in close proximity to the Cathedral, the hospital building today is the oldest in the city. It was built back in the 16th century. Several hundred years later, its main facade remained absolutely unchanged. The old hospital is a complex of beautiful historical buildings. On its territory there is a chapel and an old orphanage. For tourists spend interesting excursions That's why architectural complex during which you can see its most hidden corners.

You should definitely visit the main city museum - the Museum of Almeria. A significant part of its exposition consists of finds by archaeologists, which were discovered during the exploration of the city and its immediate environs. The opening of this museum took place in 1933, since its collection was expanding all the time, the museum repeatedly moved to a new building. Today, the museum presents many unique exhibits dating back to the Paleolithic period, as well as thematic expositions dedicated to the history of primitive people.

Among the religious sights of Almeria, one should definitely highlight the Church of St. James of Zebedee, which was founded at the end of the 15th century. It was possible to complete this church only in 1559; over the years of its existence, it was repeatedly rebuilt and supplemented with new elements. The last reconstruction of the church took place in the first half of the 20th century, when its facade was decorated with new bas-reliefs.

How is it superior to other Spanish regions and where is cinematic Texas really located?

The Andalusian coast of the Costa de Almeria remains a white spot for vacationers from Russia. It is difficult to understand why this is happening - probably, this region has not yet been "promoted" in our market of tourist services. Meanwhile, Almeria is in no way inferior to others Spanish resorts, and in some ways even surpasses them. Many experts believe that in the near future a holiday in Almeria will be a good alternative to a holiday in Turkey. One way or another, the time has come to talk about the newest direction that Russian operators have begun to offer.

The sea off the coast of Almeria is so warm that you can swim even in winter: the water here is always warmer than the air, and its mean annual temperature never drops below +18 degrees!

Andalusia is an agricultural region of Spain. There are no large industrial giants here, and therefore this area is considered the most prosperous in the country in terms of ecology. Where else can you breathe in such unspoiled air, bathe in such clear water and taste the freshest Mediterranean dishes? Of course, throughout the Spanish territory there are organizations that protect nature. Thanks to their enthusiasm, the average life expectancy in the country ranks third in the world after Japan and Sweden. And yet, among the 17 Spanish regions, Andalusia should be considered the most suitable place for a tourist who appreciates the cleanliness of the environment.

mistress of the sun

Famous football club Almeria is based in the city of the same name.

The air gates of Almeria (this is one of the provinces that make up Andalusia) are located near the sea. The plane makes a circle over the water, turns around and sits down on a strip stretched parallel to the surf line. The airport is small and brand new. At the entrance hangs a painting by an abstract artist: a coal-black mountain, at the foot of which white spots of houses are stuck. It immediately becomes clear that Almeria is not only seaside resort, but also the foothills of the Sierra Nevada ranges. There are very few flights, and, unlike the arrival halls at other airports, there is no pandemonium. Customs formalities take no more than a quarter of an hour. It’s also nice that there is an information desk at the airport where you can get acquainted with the schedule of local cultural events and get detailed map coast.

At the exit, a bus is waiting for tourists, ready to deliver directly to the place of rest. The road winds between hills, dives into tunnels, crosses over bridges over rivers. To the left and to the right, olive trees are green, brought to these parts by the Greeks three thousand years ago. The production of oil was already established by the Romans, and since then Spain has remained the most “olive” country. There are 305 million trees here and a third of the world's reserves of delicious and healthy oil come from here. So a bottle with amber contents and the inscription on the label Olivia Virgen Extra will be a very good souvenir brought home from Almeria.

fact: 2 cities of the province at once bear names that coincide with personal names: Vera and Felix.

Scientists from the University of Almería (Spain) studied the chemical composition of the caviar of 15 fish species, and found the highest content of omega-3 acids in the caviar of hake, lumpfish and salmon. According to scientists, caviar can be recommended as an excellent source of acids that help lower cholesterol levels and have pronounced antioxidant properties.

Here and there lone araucaria come across - trees brought from Norfolk Island, which is closer to New Zealand than to Spain. Araucaria has successfully taken root on Andalusian soil, although it looks somewhat ridiculous - it really looks like a Christmas tree stuck in the ground with the top of its head down. And nearby grows an Arabian palm - a sacred tree for representatives of the Islamic world. The Caliphate of Cordoba was located on the territory of Andalusia and was the center of the Muslim part of the country. Therefore, the exotic Moorish flavor is still striking here. In the city of Almeria (the main city of the province), the old Arab quarter, the medina, has been preserved, and towers of an Arab fortress with casemates, cellars, barracks and towers still tower on the mountain. From there, from a hundred meters high, a magnificent view opens up. The whole city lies at a glance, and multi-deck ferries plying between Spain and Morocco maneuver in the port.

The road runs along the sea. Fishing ships sway on the shining surface, bright reflections jump across the water. "The mistress of the sun" - so the poets called the province of Almeria. And in fact, in this region of the sun is always enough. On average, there are about 330 sunny days a year, which is more than in any other place in Spain. Almeria is located in the dry zone, where it rains less than in the driest part of Castile. Even if the whole country is flooded with rain, the bright sun shines here. Warm weather sets in at the end of March and lasts until early November. As for the water temperature during the swimming season, it is higher in Almeria than in other resorts. Further towards Malaga, where the Gibraltar flows, the water is usually a few degrees colder.

Flamenco and bullfighting

On the peaks coastal rocks you can see dilapidated watchtowers. In Isian they are called "roquetas", hence the name of the city where the best resorts of Almeria are located - Roquetas de Mar. The transfer from the airport takes about forty minutes, and now typical Andalusian villas with flower pots hung on the walls, with protruding balconies and outbuildings are already appearing. You will not see huge multi-story monsters here.

Naturally, Roquetas de Mar has its own department store, which is not inferior in size to giant shopping centers for more than major cities. There is also a hall for concerts and city events - "Auditorium". This building is the pride of the alcalde (mayor) of the city - the youthful and vigorous seigneur Gabriel Amat. What can I say, there is something to be proud of. The local architect designed the foyer so that daylight enters until 11pm in the summer. The orchestra pit can rise and fall, and the stage and the hall are blocked off in a matter of seconds by a large metal shield - in case, God forbid, a fire. I can't even believe that such a modern theater could be built in a small provincial town.

It also has its own arena for bullfighting - Plaza de Toros. Of course, some people call bullfighting "a bloodthirsty attraction" and appeal to the conscience of the organizers and participants. But even the Spanish king is unable to cancel one of the country's fundamental traditions. Until now, 16 thousand fights are held during the season, and many tourists want to see this exciting and colorful spectacle. There is such an opportunity in Roquetas de Mar, where fights of one level or another are held on weekends. But first, you should carefully read the poster to make sure that this is exactly a bullfight, and not some kind of novelty with the participation of teenage bulls and young bullfighters who have not yet become famous masters. A real, correct bullfight is an explosion of emotions, chairs flying to the floor and red wine, which the neighbors pour over each other.

The landscapes of the inner part of Almeria are very reminiscent of the American state of Texas: the hills scorched by the sun are cut by the beds of dried up rivers, stone boulders lie on the slopes and tall cacti stick out. Therefore, many directors come to shoot Texas here. The westerns "A Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" were filmed in Almeria. The most famous film set is called "Mini Hollywood", it is located here - near the city of Tabernas, where the first three westerns by Sergio Leone were filmed. Texas: Hollywood State is one of the most famous western filming locations to this day. Of the latest films shot here, it is worth noting, first of all, the series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Just like George Lucas did "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" here. In addition to westerns, this site saw: the shooting of "Lawrence of Arabia", "Condor", "Mad Max" and other films.

The resort part of Roquetas de Mar stretches along the coastline for several kilometers. Activities on the waterfront morning jogging or ride with the whole family on a four-wheeled bicycle, rented on the spot. The road will surely lead to the ancient fortress - the castle of St. Anna with powerful walls and cannons. The sea splashes at the gates, snow-white beauty yachts creak in the bay, local fishermen lay out their nets to dry. On the wide beaches of the resort, dark sand is mixed with shells. A big plus of Roquetas de Mar is that. that there is no road between the beach and the hotels of the first line. The spacious rooms are clean and bright, almost all windows face the sea.

From Texas to Granada

Where else you need to go during your vacation in Roquetas de Mar is Granada. Way from the coast to this most interesting city It will take about three hours, but the experience is worth it. Granada was last stronghold Muslims in Spain, here was the center of Moorish culture. Muslim rulers built the Alhambra - a palace of exquisite beauty with spacious colonnades, magnificent pavilions and luxurious gardens, murmuring fountains and quiet ponds.

Ornamental decorations of the interiors are preserved very carefully. Restorers are working tirelessly so that humanity does not lose this one-of-a-kind monument. A few years ago, when seismographs recorded ground vibrations in Spain, experts became worried about the state of unique complex. The curiosity is that Saudi Arabia - a fairly non-poor country - said that if the original collapses, it will build an exact copy of the Alhambra. Thank God, so far everything is in order. Tourists are allowed to view the complex, wander among the clipped labyrinths of bushes, climb the towers and climb the walls.

While in Granada, it is worth visiting the Cathedral, where the bodies of Queen Juana the Mad and Prince Philip of Burgundy, nicknamed "The Beautiful" for their outstanding appearance, are buried.

To see amazing beautiful panorama of the Achhambra complex against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada ranges, you need to climb the mountain, where the houses of the old Albaicin quarter are scattered. The Gypsy community of Granada has lived here since ancient times, with some families still living in the rock caves. They look like this. An entrance hall in the form of a terrace was attached to the mountain, and the dwelling itself was cut through inside the mountain. Some enterprising people have made taverns out of such caves and show performances of gypsy flamenco there. I must say that the gypsies in Granada are peaceful and not aggressive.

There is, however, one trick that the gypsies use in the city center. They give the traveler a sprig of fragrant romero bush - it is considered in Spain a symbol of family happiness. A twig is given for free, but as soon as you pick it up, a gypsy begins to list everything that awaits a person in the future. Naturally, the fortuneteller speaks Spanish and expects to receive a considerable fee for her services. There are no examples of more serious fraud in Andalusia. Here crime in general is here at zero level. In the land of luxury sea ​​coast and olive groves, monuments of history and snow-capped peaks you can rest completely calmly.

The Cape Gata Nijar Nature Reserve is located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Almeria. 45 kilometers of pristine coastline dominate the volcanic landscape with the highest points in mountain range Sierra de Gata, which, as it were, serves as a parapet for rain. In its semi-desert landscape, there are shifting dunes, salt marshes and secluded little coves. Most famous beaches here - Genevesis, Monsul and Arco in the town of Los Escullos, as well as Peñon Blanca next to Moor's Islet. The lighthouse of Cape Gata, wedged into the shore next to observation deck Las Sirenas, rises above the southernmost hill of the park. From here, the road starts and leads to San José, a seaside village located in the reserve, which, as a rule, serves as the starting point for many routes.

Las Amoladeras, in the middle of the steppe, has a visitor service and explanation center for natural phenomena.

In the village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, a road begins that leads to the seaside village of La Almadraba de Monteleva. Huge mountains salt piled up near the village. Nearby is the ornithological observatory, from where you can watch a variety of bird species that use the wide reservoir as a resting place during the flight.

Coast

An immense landscape with greenhouses, where fruits and vegetables are grown all year round, covers the coast of the province of Almeria along and across. In the field of Dahlias, in the west of the province of Almería, villages have settled, such as Adra, where there is a very popular sports port in summer. Beaches with excellent sand - Balanegra or Balerma - lead to tourist complexes, among which Almerimar, south of El Ejido, can be distinguished. Salt landscape leads to locality Roquetas del Mar, where the traveler can view the tower of Santa Ana Castle. Spread along the shore sea ​​village Aguadulce, where in recent decades the desert landscape has been transformed into a white sea of ​​greenhouses.

The east coast or coast of the levant is less populated. Here is the coastal strip of the Cape Gata Reserve with deserted beaches and secluded small bays.

Outside the protected areas is the city of Carboneras, built up with buildings in the North African spirit. The inhabitants of this city enjoy beaches such as Torre Vieja, Martiniques or Algarrobico. The neighborhood with the Tabernas desert creates an original contrast, which is further enhanced by thickets of prickly pear, American agaves and palm trees. Climbing Mount Mojácar belongs to those municipalities in the province of Almería that showed particular respect for the vernacular architecture of the white houses. At the foot, residential complexes grow next to the sea, which also washes the shores of such villages as the seaside and sports Garrucha or Vera, the beaches of which were chosen by the largest Andalusian centers of nudism.

A large number of sunny days made it possible in 1979 to create Europe's largest center for research, development and testing of technologies for the use of solar energy in the Tabernas Desert.

Desert Tabernas

The Sierra de los Filabres mountain range, famous for its Calar Alto astronomical observatory, passes into the Tabernas Desert, the only one of its kind in Europe. This corner of nature has served as a stage for the filming of dozens of films inspired by the distant American West. In the heart of the desert, villages such as Far West still remain, serving as a back curtain in films made by reputable directors. In the depths of this arid region, there are other precious natural sites, such as the Sierra de Alamilla, the last mountain redoubt before the sea, or the karst at Iesos de Sorbas, a natural geological whim.

To the city with thousand years of history And sandy beaches The tourist path has been trodden for a long time.

Here you can enjoy untouched natural scenery, because in Almeria there is practically no industry and production, imbued with the culture and life of the Spaniards, which is quite clearly expressed in Everyday life town with small population, as well as simply being on the shores of the warm Mediterranean Sea.

On the territory of Almeria quite a lot beach areas that are marked with a special "blue flag". He is the guarantor of purity. At all, locals and many guidebooks highlight the "classic trio" of beaches, which include: Las Salinas; La Almadrava de Monteleva; Playa de Macenas. And if the first two are extremely popular and promoted, then the latter belongs to the wild areas of beach recreation.

Today Almeria is unique place recreation for any tourist. Here you can spend your time in a passive and active format, visit modern entertainment venues, as well as go on excursions where you can see objects that served in the decorations of the 12th century.

Things to do in Almeria

Since the city is located on the seashore, one of the most popular sports and outdoor activities is surfing. Many locals joke that in Almeria they are born standing on the board, and this is not at all surprising, because not only adult locals, but also quite young extreme sports enthusiasts are ready to conquer a steep wave.

It is because of the great popularity of surfing that there are many surfing clubs in Almeria. There you can rent a board, as well as hire an instructor who will adjust the lesson to your level of preparedness. Whether you are a beginner or an avid amateur, the skill of the local surfers will not leave you indifferent.

Another no less popular type of outdoor activity includes walks on yachts and boats. Of course, the walk itself can be to the taste of a lover of passive recreation.

However, often, along with the opportunity to sail the Mediterranean, you get the opportunity to ride on water skiing or go down to the bottom with scuba gear. But here it is worth remembering that both of these entertainments require preparation and instruction, which everyone who wishes takes place exclusively on the shore.

As for entertainment in the city itself, on the streets of Almeria you can find islands where everyone can rent bicycles, roller skates, scooters. This type of recreation can also be classified as extreme, because the landscape of the city is so steep, and some streets are so narrow that even a professional can get confused there.

Almeria pretty Small town, in which all publicly important places are within walking distance. That is why many locals and tourists prefer to move around the city on foot.

However, if you are not a fan of hiking, then it is worth noting that Almeria still has public transport. This bus. About 20 buses run daily in the city, which operate flights on fifteen routes.

It is noteworthy that the minimum cost of the trip is 1 €, however, it also happens that the ticket price can reach 2 €. This price range is due to the number of stops that you have passed.

For those who do not like to wait for public transport at the bus stop, there are taxis (white cars with a red stripe on the door). There is only one company in the city itself that provides such services. However, the fare is quite high, so, for 1 kilometer, the passenger will have to pay 1.2€.

There are also "illegal" taxis in the city. These are simple cars, not bright colors and symbols. This private transport is carried out by local residents. At the same time, the cost of their services is much lower, it is about 0.75 € per kilometer.

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How to get to Almeria

Almeria is a relatively young resort on the Mediterranean Sea, attractive for its long white sandy beaches and diverse nature. The resort also gained popularity due to the opportunity to diversify your stay with active sports, since the local nature combines the sea and mountains, i.e. there is an opportunity to do both water and underwater sports, as well as rock climbing and hiking. The city is located on the Costa de Almeria of the same name in the province of Andalusia, it has its own airport, which, however, accepts only local flights.

How to get to Almeria from Madrid

The distance between Madrid and Almeria is almost 600 km. Most fast way to overcome this distance is to use Iberia airline flight (travel time - a little more than an hour). Almeria Airport is located 10 km from the city centre. Between the airport and the city operates bus line. You can also get to , travel time is about 15 minutes.

In addition, you can also get from Madrid to Almeria by train, however, the duration of the trip without transfers will take about 6 hours. Flights are operated several times a day. There are also options with a change in Seville, but then the travel time increases in direct proportion to the duration of the change. You can check the scheduleon the railway service .

How to get to Almeria from Malaga

Malaga and Almeria are located 200 km apart. Almeria is located to the east, the sea is considered warmer here, and this is another plus in the treasury of the advantages of this resort.

There is no direct train connection between Malaga and Almeria, it can only be reached with a change in Antequera, so the travel time with a minimum transfer time will be from 4.5 hours. Ironically, faster and more cheap way to get from Malaga to Almeria is to use the local bus carrier Alsa. Travel time, depending on the time of day, will be from 2.5 to 4.5 hours, flights are direct, without transfers in other cities. Schedule - on the carrier's website Alsa.

You can also take a taxi from Malaga Airport to Almeria. Travel time will be approximately 3 hours. You can order a taxi directly at the Malaga airport at the information desk in the arrivals terminal, or in advance via the Internet on the transfer booking website .

Matt Kieffer/Almeria

Almeria Hotels

The city has both chain hotels of popular brands, as well as small hotels with individual design and atmosphere. In general, the level of service in Almeria, despite the youth of the resort, corresponds to the level of service in the largest tourist centers in Spain.

Hotel 4 stars

The hotel is located near the central promenade of the city with its shopping malls, boutiques and restaurants. Before nearest beach– about 3 km, up to railway station- about 2 km. The hotel has its own restaurant, there is a private paid parking(pre-order required). Luggage storage is available. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel.

The hotel has rooms of different categories from economy to junior suites and suites. In the rooms you can find everything you need: TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, TV, mini-bar. Depending on the type of room, breakfast, half board or full board may be included in the price (check when booking). The hotel received the best ratings for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as for the value for money of the services provided.

The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Standard check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Plaza Vieja Hotel & Lounge 4 stars

The hotel is located in historical building, within walking distance of the fortress of Almeria and the beaches. The hotel has a local restaurant, luggage storage, tour desk. Paid private parking is available nearby. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel.

In the hotel you can find rooms of different categories: standard, junior suites, suites. The rooms have air conditioning, TV, safe, hairdryer, telephone, mini-bar. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or paid extra. The hotel received the best reviews for the location and the work of the staff.

The hotel has a 24-hour front desk. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Nuevo Torreluz 4 stars

The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Almería's main historical sites and a 20-minute walk from the nearest beach. The hotel features 2 restaurants, a tapas café and a terrace bar. There is private paid parking. Wifi is provided free of charge. Luggage storage, tour desk, car rental.

The hotel has standard or superior rooms, as well as junior suites. Inside you can find a TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, mini-bar. Breakfasts, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or may be paid separately (check when booking). The hotel received the best ratings for its central location and cleanliness of the rooms.

The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

AC Hotel Almeria, a Marriott Lifestyle Hotel, 4 stars

The hotel is located in historical center city, within walking distance of the main attractions of the city. The hotel can offer its guests a rooftop pool, gym, restaurant. There are also several tapas bars nearby. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi. There are paid parking places(pre-order required).

The hotel has standard and superior rooms, where you can find air conditioning, telephone, hair dryer, radio, satellite channels, minibar. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or may be paid separately. The hotel received the best ratings for its central location and cleanliness of the rooms.

The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Hotel Costasol 3 stars

The hotel is located in the city center, on the main promenade. The beach, public transport stops, city attractions - all this is within walking distance. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi. Public parking can be found nearby (paid parking, no reservation required).

The hotel has rooms of different categories, all of them are equipped with TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, mini-fridge. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price, or may be paid separately. The hotel provides luggage storage and a tour desk. The hotel received the best ratings for its location.

The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Sights of Almeria

Almeria is a resort on the Costa de Almeria of the same name, located between two other large tourist centers– Valencia and Malaga and competing with them for the right to be called the best holiday destination in the southeast of Spain. Almeria has absorbed the natural flavor of the area with its mountains and extensive beaches, as well as the novelty of entertainment and services offered at the resort.

Almeria is considered relatively new resort place, therefore, the infrastructure of the city developed according to new patterns. The resort has many new high-tech hotels. However, lovers of Spanish traditions in architecture will not be disappointed either. Another tangible advantage of Almeria hotels is their moderate price tag, in comparison with more famous resorts in District.

The coast of Almeria is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, which, in general, is somewhat colder than in Valencia, but clearly warmer than in Malaga. The swimming season lasts from the end of May to the end of September. The climate of Almeria is typical Mediterranean.

Among what to see in Almeria, it is worth highlighting two main groups of attractions - these are historical monuments and natural monuments. Of course, the beaches of Almeria are a separate article, some of the best throughout Spanish coast marked with honorary blue flags. Together, these factors make the resort so popular with tourists.

In the old part of Almeria, many historical sights have been preserved, the most famous of which are the fortress Alcazaba on the hill of St. Christopher and Encarnacion Cathedral on Cathedral Square. Alcazaba, built in the 10th century, has survived to this day in excellent condition. Inside the fortress you can find your own streets, houses and a mosque (the Alcazaba was built during the reign of the Moorish Caliphate). The parameters of the Alcazaba can easily be compared with the parameters of the Alhambra itself in Granada, this historical complex is so majestic.

Encarnacion Cathedral dates back to the 15th century of construction, it is located on central square cities. The cathedral is made in the classical gothic style and impresses with its size and grandeur. Other historical monuments of Spanish Almeria also include the church de Santiago (15th century), the Arabic plumbing (11th century), the Basilica of the Virgin Mary del Mar, the Clarisse Monastery, the Church of St. San Juan.

What to see around Almeria

In the suburbs of Almeria there are several curious natural monuments, the most visited of which are Cabo de Gata National Park And Tabernas Desert. The Cabo de Gata park is untouched corner nature, where all year round there is always only one season - summer, so we can say that summer lives here.

The park consists of kilometers of white-sand beaches, several fishing villages scattered from each other, lonely fortresses and towers, semi-deserts, in which amazing representatives of the flora live and unusual representatives of the fauna grow. The place is separated from civilization by mountains, so the winds do not reach here, and an unusual microclimate reigns here. Cabo de Gata is one of the most visited national parks Andalusia.

To travel freely in national and natural parks near Almeria, it is recommended to rent a car, this will allow you to explore the most remote corners of the parks, which are not accessible by public transport. You can rent a car in Malaga, there are rental offices both in the city itself and at the airport of arrival. Price quite low in the country, this is due to the great competition between rental companies. To rent, it is enough to have a passport, an international driver's license And bank card for payment. You can get from Malaga to Almeria by car in just over 2 hours along the A7 highway.

The Tabernas Desert, or Almerian Desert, lies between two mountain ranges, which is why precipitation and moisture practically do not reach here. Here you can feel like in some African desert, while being geographically in Europe. The Tabernas Desert is a rocky, seemingly lifeless territory, although, in fact, representatives of local flora and fauna. The size of the desert is almost 300 square meters. km, and the daily air temperature reaches 45 degrees.

The beaches of Almeria

The beaches of Almeria have gained their fame far beyond the borders of Spain itself, and all thanks to their amazing qualities and properties. The beaches of Almeria are many kilometers of white sandy territories marked with a distinction - blue flag- as a symbol of the most clean beaches peace. Since the beaches of Almeria were ennobled relatively recently, their equipment exceeds all the expectations of tourists: the beaches are extremely well-groomed, with sun loungers, umbrellas, changing cabins and toilets, showers and playgrounds.

by the most the best beaches coasts are considered Las Solinas And La Almadrava. Here everyone can try themselves in any active form sports, since the beaches are equipped with everything you need. Jet skis, catamarans, sailboats, bananas and other pleasures are available to guests of Almeria.

In addition, along the entire coastline within the city there is a promenade area for walking. There are also many trendy cafes, tapas bars and local restaurants. The infrastructure of the resort is considered one of the most comfortable for a beach holiday.

The Spanish city of Almeria was founded in the 10th century by the first caliph of Andalusia, Abd ar-Rahman the Third. Initially, there was only a watchtower and powerful fortress walls.

In 1931, this fortress on the hill of St. Christopher, due to its high historical, artistic and cultural value was included in the list of historical and artistic heritage. It is one of the largest Muslim monuments in this area. Thanks to this thousand-year-old fortress, you can learn how architecture developed during the Muslim domination of Spain.

The walls of the fortress here are very powerful. Their thickness is about 3 meters, and their height is 5.

The fortress is located almost in the center of Almeria in the Fish Quarter. It is on different levels. Outside the walls of the fortress are streets, houses, buildings and a mosque. The fortress had both military and civil significance. It has a great view of the sea and surroundings.

Tabernas Castle

Tabernas Castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, is considered one of the most mysterious castles in Almeria.

Currently, the castle is a ruin, but despite this, it never ceases to amaze with its power and grandeur. Millions of tourists come to this place to touch the mysterious, completely unexplored history of Tabernas. Some historians suggest that the fortress served summer residence for the Duke of Alba.

The battlements of the fortress are square in shape. Getting to them is not easy, as the castle stands on a hill where there are no special paths. Climbing up to the ruins, you can admire the bewitching view of the city and mentally travel back to the time of the kings who lived here.

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Cabo de Gata National Park

Cabo de Gata is a natural park covering an area of ​​9 thousand hectares, a corner of extraordinary nature, saturated with transparent, mountain air and showing no signs of civilization. Here are untouched steep coasts, the cleanest sea and white sand. The most secluded beaches are Carnaje and Enmedio.

Cabo de Gata is one of the driest ecosystems in Europe. There is no winter here, so you can meet amazing representatives of both flora and fauna in the park.

The park contains a small resort town San José and scattered with several fishing villages. Concerning cultural heritage: on the territory of the steam, to this day, archaeological objects of the Copper Age and Neolithic, the times of the Roman Empire, Arab structures - reservoirs and farms, castles and medieval fortresses have been preserved.

Nicolás Salmeron Park is located between the port and the city. This green oasis, consisting of two parts - Old and New parks, appeared in 1860. The part, now called the Old Park, was already developed by 1890 by José Maria de Acosta. Many hundred-year-old trees were planted in it, ponds were dug and many benches were placed.

After the proclamation of the Second Republic, the park was named after Nicolas Salmeron, a famous native of Almeria, one of the presidents of the First Republic. After civil war the administration allocated another part of the land for the park, which became known as the New Park

The New Park is also full of ponds and fountains. It was designed by Guillermo Langle Rubio. It was created in the 1970s in honor of the Spanish Maritime Week.

On the territory of the park there are magnificent fountains - the Dolphin Fountain, the Fish Fountain, the Rower's Fountain, as well as monuments and sculptures.

Rambla de Belen

Rambla de Belen - the main street Almeria, starting right on the seashore, not far from the maritime station. To the west of it stretches the old part of the city, where the Cathedral is located. The street crosses the city from south to north and is currently one of the brightest and most beautiful promenades in Almeria.

It is decorated with various statues, among them the outstanding statue of Mercy, built in memory of the victims of the 1891 flood, which is located at the end of Queen Regent Avenue next to the Round Square. It represents the figure of a woman with a baby grabbing her skirt made of iron. A board with a description of the events is located nearby on a stone pedestal.

Alcazaba Castle

Alcazaba Castle, built in the 8th century, is the largest Moorish fortress in the Iberian Peninsula.

The fortress performed a defensive function and protected the city from the attacks of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. The castle has several levels, which could be crossed with the help of a lookout wall. The lowest of them was a military camp, where the entire local population gathered during the siege. Currently, gardens are laid out here.

At the middle level, you will be able to see the so-called palace city with trading shops, military towers, a mosque, the preserved wells of the caliph and the rins of the Almotasin palace. The upper level was built specifically for military artillery.

Since 1931, the castle has been considered national monument country and protected by the Spanish government.

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