Almeria Holidays

Top attractions

Almeria holidays are full of attractions and sights for you to explore. One of the most captivating sights in Almeria is the Alcazaba. This medieval fortress is positioned on a hilltop with views over the city. Alcazaba is known to be Spain’s second largest Muslim construction and is considered to be Almeria’s version of Alhambra. A visit here will allow you to experience the fortress’s cinematic past – it has been the chosen location for films such as Conan the Barbarian.

The Almeria City Cathedral is another impressive sight. The Cathedral predates the 14^th century and is a must-see whilst you’re on your Costa de Almeria holiday. If you want to explore a unique volcanic landscape and stunning scenery, then the Cabo de Gata Natural Park is a place worth visiting – this natural park is the first sea-land park of Andalusia.

Almeria’s peaceful sandy beaches, insightful museums, fascinating historical buildings, action-packed excursions, stunning views, and gorgeous weather make it the perfect holiday for all tastes.

Beaches

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the beaches in Almeria. There are resort beaches, natural beaches, isolated coves and hidden bays. And you don’t have to worry about having to deal with overcrowded beaches, either.

Almeria beaches can be divided into four areas: Levante beaches, Cabo de Gata Natural Park beaches, Poniente beaches, and the Bay of Almeria beaches.

Levante and Cabo de Gata Natural Park beaches offer you the luxury of spending time on the sandy shores where at times you’ll have the beach to yourself. Poniente and the Bay of Almeria beaches are more catered for tourists and have plenty of amenities. Almerimar beach, which runs out of the city, is a great example. The sandy main beach is clean and has plenty of space. And if you’re hungry you can buy food from one of the chiringuitos, or beach bars.

Almeria holidays offer a range of beach activities you can do such as scuba diving and sailing – you might even spot a bottlenose dolphin.

Eating out

As Almeria is a coastal spot, you’ll often find seafood, cooked in various ways, on most menus. The local food in Almeria is reasonably priced, and you will find a large selection of bars, cafés and restaurants offering delicious foods and tasty snacks.

The locals will recommend you try the Gurullos, a stew with pasta, or Tringo, a stew with grains of wheat, port, beans, and herbs. If you want to try some of Almeria’s seafood, then you can try foods such as the ‘sopa de Almeria’ which is shellfish soup, or the gachas, which is a spicy clam stew. 

The best place to go is Puerta de Purchena, the centre of the city Almeria. You will find a range of good bars, cafés, and popular restaurants near to the town hall.

If you want to eat at a restaurant with breathtaking views, then you should try the La Encina which is a Mediterranean and Spanish restaurant located near the Alcazaba.

Nightlife

Holidays in Almeria are fun, both day and night. You can enjoy the numerous selection of bars in places like Puerta de Purchena. Or you can visit tapas bars, which are popular in Almeria. If you visit the Kiosco Amalia, an outdoor bar, you can try two of the most popular drinks in Almeria: the Jabega, a lemon ice drink with a hint of alcohol, or the Americano, a milky drink with cinnamon, lemon rind, and cola cream liqueur.

The nightlife isn’t restricted to the city. You can find bars in the neighbouring towns and villages. For example, the Marina in Roquetas de Mar is a fishing village only fifteen minutes from the city of Almeria, and has a couple of low-key bars.

If you want to dance until the early hours, then you’ll love the many music bars that are open until 4am. And if you visit Almeria in the summer, you can experience the summer disco marquees where the party starts to get wild around 3am.

Family holidays

Holidays in Almeria are full of fun activities and fascinating sights to entertain your family. You can take a trip to the beach and relax while watching your little ones play in the sand, swim in the sea, or enjoy the watersports activities such as sailing and windsurfing. The beaches in Almeria Bay and Poniente are more popular with tourists and have plenty of amenities making them ideal for your family.

You can stroll around the parks within the city such as the Nicolas Salmeron Park, or you can visit historic sites such as the Civil War Shelters, where you can explore the shelters beneath Almeria that provided shelter during the Spanish Civil War. 

For thrill-seeking families, you can go to the Mario Park, a water park in Roquetas del Mar. Or you could go to Oasys – the Western Theme Park Tour of Mini Hollywood. This western-style theme park was originally used as a set for films such as For a Few Dollars More.

Couples holidays

Romantic and tranquil, holidays in Almeria have plenty to offer couples. With the multitude of hidden beaches, you can easily find a quiet spot just for the two of you. Levante and the Cabo de Gata Natural Park beaches are best for those wanting time away from the hustle and bustle.

You can visit the cathedral, take a step back in time and explore Alcazaba, or wander around the museums and art galleries such as The Cinema Museum of Almeria. 

There are many excursions that you and your partner can go on such as the Mojácar Day Tour. You both can visit this famous and historic white village on the coast of Almeria.

Or, you can test your haggling skills at one of the Almeria markets. If you prefer designer goods, then you can find many high-end fashion boutiques in La Rambla and Paseo de Almeria.

And at night you and your partner can enjoy the many bars where you can sit back, have a drink and unwind.

Action & Adventure

Almeria may be less touristy than other places in Spain, but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer those looking for action and adventure.

Holidays in Almeria offer many excursions for you to go on. You can experience life in a desert by visiting Europe’s only desert, Tabernas Desert. You can go on a day trip to the Cabo de Gata in Andalusia and try kayaking and snorkelling. A ride on a camel along the Mojácar beach or a horseback ride through the natural parklands of Almeria will impress any thrill-seeker. And if that’s not enough action for you, you can try canyoning – an activity that involves using a variety of techniques such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming to trek through gorges, waterfalls and rock pools. 

The beaches have a variety of activities that will get your heart pumping such as windsurfing, and kitesurfing. And for those wanting less action, you can visit the many sights in Almeria such as the Museum of Almeria.

Culture

Almeria’s rich history is imprinted in its culture and architecture. You’ll be impressed by the stories many of the buildings in Almeria have to tell. There’s the Alcazaba, which was an Arab fortress, the Cathedral that was often a target for Mediterranean pirates, and the Spanish Civil War shelters beneath the city.

Almeria is home to many cultural events and festivals. In the last two weeks of August, you can enjoy the Our Lady of the Sea Festival. This yearly festival is to honour the patron saint of Almeria, Virgin Del Mar, and it brings a carnival vibe to the whole city.

If you’d like to visit another festival, then you’ll enjoy the Virgen del Carmen festival. The yearly festival takes place on 16^th July, and villages along the Andalusian coast all celebrate the Patron Saint of Fishermen. The parade starts at the local church and makes its way to the seafront where fireworks light up the sky, and live music and dancing last until sunrise.