Almeria holidays

Holidays to Almeria offer a mix of sandy shores and rocky coves, plus desert landscapes and tapas culture done right.

Say hola to Almeria

Tucked away in Andalucía’s south-east corner, Almeria keeps a lower profile than its Costa cousins. This city packs history, beach days, and film-set landscapes into one neat package. You’ve got Moorish fortresses, wild desert backdrops, and a coastline that swings from urban sands to natural parks. And here, tapas is still done the old-school way – order a drink and most places will slide a free tapa your way.

Ancient Alcazaba

The Alcazaba is Almeria’s hilltop fortress, and main sight of the city – it’s been watching over the whole place for over a thousand years. Built by the Moors, its honey-coloured walls, lookout towers, and palm-filled courtyards are a must-see. Wander through the ruins, learn about Moorish architecture, and soak up views of the city and sea. At the summit, you’ll be treated to panoramas across the city, desert, and the Med.

From beach to desert

Almeria’s coastline is the real deal. This area has some of Spain’s least built-up beaches on the Mediterranean Coast. It’s all on show at Cabo de Gata Natural Park – Andalucía’s largest protected coastal area. But the magic doesn’t stop at the shore. Head inland and you hit the Tabernas Desert – Europe’s only desert – and you’ll see moon-like landscapes. Bringing a bit of the Wild West to Spain, this desert was Hollywood’s playground, complete with cowboy-themed parks where you can relive spaghetti western adventures.

Close-by escapes

Almeria is all about 'la buena vida' – the Spanish way of taking life easy. For more glimpses of this laidback Andalusian spirit, take a short drive inland to the Moorish ruins of sleepy Pechina. And if you head around 20 minutes further, the riverside town of Rioja is perfect for peaceful strolls and rustic tavernas – the local olive oil and wine are definitely worth trying. Back in Almeria, evenings are all about tapas, tucked-away wine bars, and flamenco dancing. And in summer, beach chiringuitos bring music, mojitos, and dancing on the sand.