Summary of Attractions
Almería is Spain’s sunniest city, situated along the Mediterranean at the eastern edge of Andalusia. The surrounding rural landscapes are characterized by an arid, dusty terrain, contributing to the uniqueness of the region: Europe’s only true desert is located here, and it served as a filming location for multiple spaghetti westerns during the 1960s and 1970s.
Visitors can explore the wild at Tabernas or Cabo de Gata Natural Park, or unwind on one of the many Blue Flag beaches just minutes from the city. Downtown, you can stroll along the ramparts of an expansive Islamic fortress, indulge in authentic Andalusian tapas, and take a tour of the city’s Civil War bunkers.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Almería:
1. La Alcazaba
The walls and towers overlooking Almería are part of Europe’s largest Muslim castle. Constructed in the 10th century by Abd-ar-Rahman III, the Caliph of Cordoba, Almería was a vital trading hub during this period, attracting merchants from as far away as Syria.
Initially a citadel, La Alcazaba features areas where Muslim soldiers and their servants resided. The inner courtyard is equipped with a system of cisterns, built to endure sieges, which are still intact today. Additionally, a later Christian fortress was erected to withstand artillery with the advent of gunpowder.
2. Cabo de Gata
To the east of Almería lies this natural park encompassing an entire cape and featuring its stunning rocky volcanic landscapes. With an annual rainfall of less than 200mm, this location represents Europe’s only subtropical desert. However, visitors will be amazed by the plethora of activities available: You can ascend El Fraile, the highest peak, which is a long-extinct volcano reaching 500 meters and offering remarkable views of the sea and coast.
The park also includes abandoned mining villages and secluded beaches, often deserted, providing a tranquil escape. Moreover, the salt flats near the headland are teeming with natural life, particularly where thousands of greater flamingos congregate.
3. Museo Refugio de la Guerra Civil
Nine meters beneath the streets of central Almería lies a network of tunnels constructed in 1936 at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. Of the original 4.5 kilometers, a section has been renovated and now runs underneath Paseo de Almería, the city’s primary shopping area.
Groups of 25 participants can descend 50 steps into the tunnels. Prior to entering, visitors receive an overview of the war through a brief video that includes details on the 1937 bombardment of Almería by the Germans. The tour will take you past a pantry, living quarters, and even a surgery room within the tunnels.
4. Mini Hollywood
Guests can live out their western movie dreams at this attraction located near the town of Tabernas, just north of Almería. Mini Hollywood features a set that was created for Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western, For a Few Dollars More, in 1965, and was utilized again for the iconic film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly the following year. Following production, the extras collaborated to purchase the set, preserving it as a tourist destination.
Within the town square, visitors can enjoy cowboy stunt shows and can-can dancers, explore the boardwalk, or cool off in the cells at the town jail.
5. Central Almería
The main commercial thoroughfare, Paseo de Almería, offers high-street shopping and features the city’s Central Market, interspersed with cafes adorned with outdoor seating under trees with artistically pruned foliage. To experience local life, take a stroll along the Rambla de Belén, an elegant walkway lined with palm trees and fountains, providing a shaded respite from the summer sun.
Both routes culminate at the Mediterranean, and a brief walk along the shore will lead to the busy beachfront promenade, which comes alive with activity during the summer months.
6. Almería Cathedral
This formidable cathedral, originating from the mid-16th century, was constructed to replace an earlier version destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. Built during an era when the Mediterranean coastline faced constant threats from North African pirate raids, its high defensive walls and lack of openings on the facade reflect these concerns.
The structure showcases a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles, thanks to various additions throughout the centuries. It is recognized in Spain as a historic-artistic monument. Inside, visitors can admire one of the oldest features, the choir, which consists of 75 walnut-carved seats crafted over three years from 1558 to 1561. Additionally, the Chapel of Santo Cristo features a stunning alabaster tomb of Bishop Fernandez de Villalán, dating back to 1560.
7. Proper Tapas
Bar snacks such as these are typically Andalusian in origin. To experience local culture, visit a traditional establishment like Puga on Calle Jovellanos, operational since 1870. Upon ordering a beer or soft drink, patrons can select a tapa from the bar without charge, as you only pay for the beverage. Tapas here include dishes like Chérigan, toasted bread with aioli topped with a variety of ingredients, such as cured ham, omelet, cheese, mackerel, or tuna.
8. Museum of Almería
The Province of Almería boasts a rich history influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. Furthermore, prehistoric Copper and Bronze Age cultures existed in the region’s hinterland. At the museum, you can delve into this 5,000-year-old society and explore their ceramic creations.
From the Roman period, exhibits include intact amphorae, a mosaic, and an impressive marble statue of Bacchus. Islamic artifacts feature tomb inscriptions, tableware, calligraphy, and much more. The museum has garnered multiple awards since its modern renovation in the mid-2000s.
9. Central Market
Located at the upper end of Paseo de Almería, the city’s central market underwent a renovation in 2012 and represents the ideal location for food shopping. The ground floor is filled with stalls offering fresh fruits and vegetables. Some stalls, particularly those selling fish, showcase species rarely seen elsewhere.
One attraction of Spanish markets is the ham stands, where you can find Spain’s famous jamón ibérico. Here, the skilled jamonero utilizes sharp blades to slice incredibly thin pieces of ham (with paper-thin being the desired thickness!).
10. Los Millares
This prehistoric settlement, located 17 kilometers from Almería, remains under excavation despite being discovered by accident in 1891 during railway construction. Approximately 1,000 individuals inhabited this site from 3200 to 2300 BC, and the discoveries made are quite remarkable.
The settlement is encircled by three sets of stone walls, the largest being about 300 meters long and fortified with bastions. Within, you can find remnants of dwellings, evidence of copper production, and several burial mounds, some of which visitors can enter.
11. Centro Andaluz de la Fotografía
This center, owned by the Andalusian Ministry of Culture, was established in 1992 and is accessible free of charge, operating seven days a week to promote photography and audiovisual art in a charming historic setting. Numerous workshops and programs are held regularly; however, many visitors generally opt for a brief tour of the temporary exhibitions.
Notable photographers, including Larry Fink, have exhibited their works here, making it a worthwhile stop for art enthusiasts.
12. Plaza de la Virgen del Mar
This serene square in the old town is certainly worth discovering. It is dominated by the Sanctuary Church of Virgen del Mar, which was once part of a Dominican convent. The colorful chapel features exquisite 15th-century decoration, while the facade, updated in the 1700s, exhibits Baroque stylistic elements.
Providing shade for much of the day, visitors can relax on one of the benches, appreciating the charming old fountain, carefully trimmed trees, and the atmospheric ambiance of Almería’s old city.
13. Casa del Cine
This elegant whitewashed mansion, Casa del Cine, served as a lodging for many silver screen stars during the spaghetti western era of the 1960s and 1970s. Celebrities such as Clint Eastwood and Brigitte Bardot found refuge here after their days in the rugged Tabernas Desert. Moreover, John Lennon was another notable guest, having filmed “How I Won the War” nearby in 1966. Lennon’s legacy endures in Almería, commemorated by a statue in Plaza de las Flores.
14. Roquetas de Mar
A day trip to this beach resort west of Almería is advisable for enjoying the coastline. Roquetas de Mar boasts five Blue Flag beaches, including one located along the main thoroughfare beside various resort developments. This expansive beach features fine golden sand, gentle waves, and ample facilities, including sun loungers and parasols.
Playa de Aguadulce, slightly narrower, is bordered by a promenade adorned with palm trees and provides stunning views of the rugged coastal hills. In contrast, Playa de Serena is an expansive sandy shoreline, offering plenty of room for visitors to relax and enjoy the sun.
15. Semana Santa
The processions held throughout Almería during Holy Week carry the designation of “National Tourist Interest” in Spain. This remarkable event features 26 Catholic brotherhoods parading through the city in candlelit ceremonies leading up to Easter Sunday. While the imagery of hooded penitents carrying floats representing the Passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary may appear antiquated, in Almería, it continues to gain popularity, with newer generations joining brotherhoods to participate.
Daily leading to Easter, as many as three groups take their turns carrying age-old figures adorned in gold and silver, some of which are more than a century old, creating a breathtaking spectacle for all.
