The city of Almeria – Arabic for The Mirror
Steeped in history, Almeria is situated in the east of Andalucía, and boasts some of the region´s most stunning architecture. The city of Almeria is situated in the province of the same name, which stems from the word Al-Mariyat – Arabic for The Mirror.
For more information about things to do in Almeria
The Moorish castle, the Alcazaba, is the second largest in Muslim fortress in Andalucia – after the Alhambra at Granada, and it was once one of the most important port cities in Spain. The Moors controlled Almeria until 1489, when it was surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.At least four earthquakes shook Almeria in the 16th Century – the largest of which in 1522 destroyed the city, and the Muslims who remained were expelled from the region and sent all over Spain. During the 18th Century enormous iron mines were discovered and many British and French settled in the area, which bought renewed prosperity to the area.
During the Spanish Civil War, Almeria and Malaga were the last cities to surrender to Franco´s forces, and it was only after his death that an autonomous status was granted for the region.
In the later part of the 20th Century, Almeria enjoyed massive economic growth with tourism, and also with the advent of intensive farming and the growing of fruit and vegetables, which are still the biggest money earners for the region. Much of the agriculture is situated in the west of the region, where visitors will see field upon field of plastic greenhouses, which produce tons of fruit and vegetables. Seventy per cent of the food grown is exported to other parts of Europe, and the UK is one of the biggest importers.
Also around this time, several spaghetti westerns were filmed in Almeria. Its dry, dusty landscapes, including the Tabernas Desert, made it the perfect location for films such as, A fistful of dollars, and The good, the bad and the ugly. The driest region in Europe, Almeria has over 330 average days of sunshine per year. Lawrence of Arabia was also shot here in 1962.Another quirky feature of this province is the El Playazo Beach, which is the largest nudist beach in Europe, and even boasts its own accommodation for naturists wanting to make a holiday of it.
The region can easily be reached by the A-7 Mediterranean Highway and the A-92 which links it with the rest of Andalucía. Marbella and the Costa del Sol is approximately 220km and if you are not in a hurry, take the coastal road. Almeria also has good airport and train routes. By sea, the port of Almeria has lines to Algeria, Morocco and Melilla. There are also moorings for pleasure boats.
One of Almeria’s most beautiful natural parks is the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is of volcanic origin, and is the largest and most significant marine-terrestrial space in the Western Mediterranean. Covering an area of 380 square kilometers, this is one of Andalucía’s most visited nature reserves. Covering areas of Nijar, Almeria and Carboneras,
the region´s villages attract lovers of nature and the countryside from all over Europe. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park runs through the municipal areas of Níjar, Almería and Carboneras. This is one of the few parks of its kind which also boasts un spoilt beaches, and the area´s temperate climate is one of its main attractions.
One of the better known towns in the province is Mojacar, which has become popular amongst tourists, especially from the UK, and over the past ten years, thousands of visitors have invested in holiday homes here. And with 17km of beautiful beaches, narrow streets and paved courtyards, who can blame them? From a distance, the whitewashed buildings seem to cling precariously to the hillside, and the town is sandwiched between the mountains of the Sierra Cabrera and the Mediterranean Sea.
As in most parts of Andalucía, annual festivals and ferias in Mojacar are amongst the most elaborate in Spain. One not to be missed is the annual Moors and Christians Fiesta, which is held in honor of the Arab ancestors of the town. Mock battles and re-enactments rage through the streets, and the fighters are even dressed up in authentic outfits to add extra drama to the events.
Ameria combines culture and history with the more modern attractions associated with the coastal beach resorts, including some fabulous bars, restaurants and beaches. This is the perfect place for a family holiday or a relaxing, get away from it all break.
things2dospain.co.uk if you are looking for cheap car hire or budget car rental in Almeria then check out our car comparison search engine , we also search over 100 of the best travel web site in one search for best special offers and last minute deals on hotels in Almeria
A travelers guide to Spain , take a look at the best reviews and rated restaurants ,small hotels , night life , bars , family days out , places of interest , shopping , beaches and events
free advertising submit your business in one of our categories and get rated and reviewed , place your hotel , restaurant , bar , disco and club , 1000,s of visitors every day could be reading about your business
For more information about things to do in Almeria
The Moorish castle, the Alcazaba, is the second largest in Muslim fortress in Andalucia – after the Alhambra at Granada, and it was once one of the most important port cities in Spain. The Moors controlled Almeria until 1489, when it was surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.At least four earthquakes shook Almeria in the 16th Century – the largest of which in 1522 destroyed the city, and the Muslims who remained were expelled from the region and sent all over Spain. During the 18th Century enormous iron mines were discovered and many British and French settled in the area, which bought renewed prosperity to the area.
During the Spanish Civil War, Almeria and Malaga were the last cities to surrender to Franco´s forces, and it was only after his death that an autonomous status was granted for the region.
In the later part of the 20th Century, Almeria enjoyed massive economic growth with tourism, and also with the advent of intensive farming and the growing of fruit and vegetables, which are still the biggest money earners for the region. Much of the agriculture is situated in the west of the region, where visitors will see field upon field of plastic greenhouses, which produce tons of fruit and vegetables. Seventy per cent of the food grown is exported to other parts of Europe, and the UK is one of the biggest importers.
Also around this time, several spaghetti westerns were filmed in Almeria. Its dry, dusty landscapes, including the Tabernas Desert, made it the perfect location for films such as, A fistful of dollars, and The good, the bad and the ugly. The driest region in Europe, Almeria has over 330 average days of sunshine per year. Lawrence of Arabia was also shot here in 1962.Another quirky feature of this province is the El Playazo Beach, which is the largest nudist beach in Europe, and even boasts its own accommodation for naturists wanting to make a holiday of it.
The region can easily be reached by the A-7 Mediterranean Highway and the A-92 which links it with the rest of Andalucía. Marbella and the Costa del Sol is approximately 220km and if you are not in a hurry, take the coastal road. Almeria also has good airport and train routes. By sea, the port of Almeria has lines to Algeria, Morocco and Melilla. There are also moorings for pleasure boats.
One of Almeria’s most beautiful natural parks is the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is of volcanic origin, and is the largest and most significant marine-terrestrial space in the Western Mediterranean. Covering an area of 380 square kilometers, this is one of Andalucía’s most visited nature reserves. Covering areas of Nijar, Almeria and Carboneras,
the region´s villages attract lovers of nature and the countryside from all over Europe. The Cabo de Gata Natural Park runs through the municipal areas of Níjar, Almería and Carboneras. This is one of the few parks of its kind which also boasts un spoilt beaches, and the area´s temperate climate is one of its main attractions.
One of the better known towns in the province is Mojacar, which has become popular amongst tourists, especially from the UK, and over the past ten years, thousands of visitors have invested in holiday homes here. And with 17km of beautiful beaches, narrow streets and paved courtyards, who can blame them? From a distance, the whitewashed buildings seem to cling precariously to the hillside, and the town is sandwiched between the mountains of the Sierra Cabrera and the Mediterranean Sea.
As in most parts of Andalucía, annual festivals and ferias in Mojacar are amongst the most elaborate in Spain. One not to be missed is the annual Moors and Christians Fiesta, which is held in honor of the Arab ancestors of the town. Mock battles and re-enactments rage through the streets, and the fighters are even dressed up in authentic outfits to add extra drama to the events.
Ameria combines culture and history with the more modern attractions associated with the coastal beach resorts, including some fabulous bars, restaurants and beaches. This is the perfect place for a family holiday or a relaxing, get away from it all break.
things2dospain.co.uk if you are looking for cheap car hire or budget car rental in Almeria then check out our car comparison search engine , we also search over 100 of the best travel web site in one search for best special offers and last minute deals on hotels in Almeria
A travelers guide to Spain , take a look at the best reviews and rated restaurants ,small hotels , night life , bars , family days out , places of interest , shopping , beaches and events
free advertising submit your business in one of our categories and get rated and reviewed , place your hotel , restaurant , bar , disco and club , 1000,s of visitors every day could be reading about your business
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