Almeria, Spain is a little known treasure with varied beaches and
a barren interior. Not that well known
among foreign tourists, it provides an opportunity to enjoy a holiday away from
commercial enterprise with all of the beauty of the Spanish coast. Founded well before the 15th
century the city is home to many galleries, museums and structures that tell
the story of its history. The old part
of the city is home to examples of medieval architecture, archways and
colonnades, quiet squares and unique cave dwellings in the hill above the old
gypsy quarter. The centre of the city
holds La Rambla, a long street with squares, lovely cafes and play areas for
children. A strong African influence
adds interesting elements throughout the city.
Hand crafted coral work made in the city is known throughout the area
and is both unique and lovely. Nature
lovers, hikers and scuba divers will find themselves captivated by the Cabo del
Gato-Nijar nature reserve with a combined desert landscape and rugged
coastline. Other popular sports include
paragliding, horse riding and golf.
Almeria boats the greatest number of cloudless days in the country with
more the 3000 hours of sunshine annually, making it a perfect way to reconnect
with the sun. With all of that sunshine it s
not hard to understand why the water is often even warmer than the air, making
even simple swimming a joy. A warm and
dry climate, the area is well known for its oranges and white grapes which can
be sampled alongside authentic Spanish cuisine.