Almeria and The Costa de Almeria

Location and Historical Overview

Almeria is the capital city of the Province of Almeria and is located in southeastern part of Spain right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The province of Almeria is one of the provinces of the regions of Andalusia. The region became autonomous after a new Spanish Constitution was established after the death of Franco.

After Almeria was conquered and developed by the Muslims in 955 to become a stronghold to defend the domain of the current ruler, it became one of the richest and also the most thriving towns of the time. The strategically placed fortress was ideal to fend off any invaders. The silk industry that was established in this town was one of its main attractions.

Many sieges were made against the city but its defense system was always superior and could withstand the enemies’ attack. It was not until the year 1147 that an amalgamated group of Crusades consisting of Catalans, Pisans, Franks and Genoese attacked and eventually conquered the city.

Soon after that the cultural and other values that gave the city its magnificence, slowly but surely disappeared. But it was not until the late 15th century that the city was finally taken over by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. During the 16th century Almeria was almost destroyed by a series of severe earthquakes. The Muslims were expelled from the city or persecuted and the city went into despair.

Tourism a vital role in the New Development

It wasn’t until the latter part of the 20th century that this once magnificent city started coming back to life with the development of new farming techniques (called plastic covered intensive farming) as well as a lucrative tourist industry. In 2005 it boasted a population of just under 180 000 people and the economy as well as the population growth is increasing at a commendable rate. During these peaceful times the city has attracted much interest worldwide especially because of its exotic location, magnificent weather and pristine natural surroundings. The city has enough of its historical heritage left to show off to the rest of the world as well as other natural attractions.

The city of Almeria is becoming as popular as Seville and Granada. One of its outstanding features is a fortress that was built during the Muslim occupation by the then Caliph of Cordoba; Abd-erRahman. The Alcazaba was placed strategically on a hill that overlooks the city and from here the Barrio de la Chanca or the famous cave quarter can be easily viewed. In the city centre is a cathedral that was built in 1524. It was a replacement for the original cathedral that was demolished by a severe earthquake 2 years before in 1522. The mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture gives it a very formidable appearance and it is one of the major tourist attractions. A historical city like Almeria has the very interesting articles on display in its museum and it is well worth a visit.

Popular Attractions of Costa de Almeria.

Almeria has become a haven for nature lovers. The world famous Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park is a marine terrestrial natural park and the first one in Andalusia. This piece of pristine coastal is situated to the east of Almeria and the area hosts such a variety of marine and plant life that it has become one of Almeria’s treasures. The Park overly protects the wildlife as well as rare plant species. A well known wetlands called the Salinas de Cabo de Gata is home to huge varieties of birds.

As it is also the breeding ground for birds that are overwintering, it is a paradise for the bird lover. The coastal waters are ideal for a variety of water sport such as snorkeling, sailing and windsurfing. Fishing is also a popular pastime as well as mountain biking and 4x4 excursions in the mountainous areas. As this area is also a very dry region, the sparse population makes it even more intriguing to the visitor and adds to the adventurer’s spirit for exploration. Much of the intricate coastal areas can only be reached on foot by backpackers, which makes the whole region even more alluring to outsiders.

Vera is a city situated north of the Costa de Almeria. This lovely city is becoming a popular tourist destination with all the modern amenities. Its main attractions are fantastic naturist (or nudist) beaches as well as a variety of water sport and other leisure activities.

Accommodation and Restaurants

Accommodation throughout Almeria is of outstanding quality and standard. Car rental as well as every other services needed are easily available and at hand. Transportation to and from airports are convenient and hassle free. Spanish cuisine is of the most delectable in the world and restaurants overall offer a wide selection of local as well as international fare.