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The Spanish
province of Almeria boasts about 200 miles (322km) of varied, scenic
coastline, but also offers idyllic spots for nature-lovers to explore with
its many unspoilt fishing villages, long sandy beaches and small intimate
coves popular with nudists. Sunny and mild, Almeria lies southeast of the
Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea, still bearing the archaeological
evidence of the many ancient cultures, from the Tartessos and Phoenicians to
the Romans and Visigoths, who were drawn here by the natural beauty and
useful maritime geographic location. The region retains an African flavour,
imbibed from that continent which is a short distance away across the
Mediterranean. Inland, Almeria is rather barren and arid, and boasts
Europe's only desert region around the village of Tabernas, which has been
used as the location for several western movies. In the east the
lunar-landscaped Cabo de Gato-Nijar nature reserve with its rugged
coastline, attracts hikers, birders and scuba divers. Despite the dry,
inhospitable landscape Almeria has developed a thriving agricultural
industry and plastic-covered tunnel farms packed with lush fresh produce and
flowers are to be seen in abundance. Most visitors flock to the holiday
resorts to the east and west of the lively capital city of Almeria, which
boasts picturesque squares, some worthy sights to see, cafes, a ferry port
and marina. Lovely beaches, marinas, hotels and sports centres provide
plenty to keep holiday-makers happy in the resort towns of Mojacar to the
east, and Anguadulce, Roquetas de Mar and Almerimar to the west of the city.
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Almeria City
The ancient Andalusian
city of Almeria lies sheltered at the base of a bay, proudly dominated
by the amazing Alcazaba, a huge Moorish citadel with three walled
enclosures dating from 995. From the citadel visitors have a good view
of the city’s most impressive and important Christian monument, the
Cathedral, dating from 1524, designed more like a fortress than a church
because of the need to defend it from pirate attacks. The Cathedral
contains numerous art treasures, including a tabernacle dating from the
18th century, designed by Ventura Rodriguez. With its interesting
medieval architecture, Almeria’s old town is a delight to stroll through
with its tranquil squares, archways and colonnades. The city also has a
fascinating archaeological museum and unique cave dwellings in the
hillside above the old gypsy quarter. |
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Tabernas
Movie buffs in
particular enjoy a visit to the little village of Tabernas, about 16
miles (26km) from Almeria city, set between the Sierra de Alhamilla and
Sierra de Filabres in a barren landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland
reminiscent of the American Wild West. A few decades ago when Western
movies were the most popular Hollywood genre, legendary stars such as
Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson
strutted their stuff here in the dry heat on film sets which fans will
recognise from such great films as
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,
A Fistful of Dollars
and The Magnificent Seven.
The movie lots have now become theme park tourist attractions. There are
three to visit: Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone. All
offer a fun day out in Europe’s only desert region, with stagecoach
rides, live shows, a zoo and the opportunity to slake your thirst in the
saloon. |
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Cabo
de Gata Natural Park
A lighthouse stands at
the tip of the Cabo de Gata peninsula, north of Almeria city, marking
the extremity of Andalusia's largest coastal nature reserve, a
fascinating landscape cocktail of arid desert, volcanic mountains,
jagged sea cliffs, sand dunes, wetlands, a lagoon and sandy hidden
coves. Mountain bikers, hikers, bird-watchers and water sports
enthusiasts of all persuasions get away from it all to this natural
wonderland which encompasses some quaint fishing hamlets, historic ruins
and magnificent stretches of beach. |
The popular
tourist resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy, picturesque
fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it still retains its warren of
Moorish alley-like streets and pretty aspect of white-washed houses
ascending the hillside. Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are
beginning to dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches
adjacent to the village. Tourism is big business along the holiday strip,
with shops selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars,
and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving or sailing.
Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa Serena) and a specially
designated nudist beach. Those interested in history will enjoy exploring
the ruins of the medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in
the area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas salt
marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the village, where
flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
The delightful
holiday resort town of Adra, the western-most coastal town in the province
of Almeria, is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is rich in history,
having been founded in the 8th century. Adra remains a working fishing
harbour and early-rising visitors enjoy the daily dawn fish auctions and
dining out at the many tempting seafood restaurants. The clean, neat town
centre with its many squares and parks is split by the attractive Paseo de
Natalio Rivas promenade. Sights to see include the Church of the Immaculate
Conception, the Partridge Tower (which houses the tourist office), an
historic restored mill and the town's interesting museum. Adra boasts the
Poniente blue flag beach among its stretches of beautiful sandy shore.
Undoubtedly the
most romantic and picturesque resort town in south-eastern Spain, the
white-washed houses and cobbled streets of Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill
overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. This
unspoilt ancient Moorish fortress town has been a favourite with artists and
writers for many years, and now attracts holiday-makers who fill up the
hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby stretch of
beach, fortunately not yet to the detriment of the town’s appearance or
beguiling atmosphere. The village centre is honeycombed with narrow casbah-like
cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint surprises, like a Roman fountain
pumping fresh spring water and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria. |
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