Almería – Coast, Desert and Cultural Heritage

Nature and Landscape

The province of Almería has a 200-kilometre Mediterranean coastline with beaches and combines seascapes and desert landscapes. Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park has 63 kilometres of cliffs forming one of the best-preserved coastlines on the Spanish Mediterranean. Fossil coral reefs have been preserved in the Desierto de Tabernas, marking the location of a former coastline. Since the 1950s, numerous films have been shot in the Desierto de Tabernas, including several classic westerns. The Geoda de Pulpí and the Mina Rica del Pilar de Jaravía are protected as a mixed Geological and Ecocultural Natural Monument. A complete tour of the Galería Principal, the Galería del Polvorín, the Catedral, the Sala del Cuartel, the Segundo Nivel and the Tercer Nivel up to the entrance of the Geoda de Pulpí was planned.

Places in the Surrounding Area

The places directly associated with it include: Adra, Almería, Bedar, Cóbdar, Garrucha, Laroya, Cantoria, Villaricos, Las Norias, Balerma, Beires, Guazamara, Santa María del Águila, Costacabana, Huércal de Almería, Fernán Pérez, Macael, Las Hortichuelas, Uleila Del Campo, Vélez-Rubio, Serón, Alhama De Almería, Purchena, Viator, Antas, Abrucena, Arboleas, El Cortijo Grande, Huesa, Los Cerricos, Bayárcal, Lubrín, Pechina, Taberno, Olula Del Río, El Pilar, Líjar, Alcolea, Terque, Alcontar, Canjáyar, Fiñana, Instinción, La Envía, Zurgena, Pulpí, Tonosa, Vera, Marchena, Oria, Cuevas Del Almanzora, El Saltador Bajo, Aguadulce, Chirivel, San Isidro de Níjar, Huércal-Overa, Agua Amarga, Láujar De Andarax, Turre, María, Armuña De Almanzora, La Cañada, Carboneras, La Breña, Albox, Velefique, Sorbas, El Ejido, El Campillo De Rodalquilar, Vélez-Blanco, Fondón, Mojácar, Nijar, Roquetas De Mar, Llano de Los Olleres, Lucainena De Las Torres, Los Gallardos, Los Escullos, Vicar, Berja, Gérgal, Caserío Santopétar, Fuente Victoria, Suflí, Tabernas, Los Navarros, Felix, Fuente Amarga, El Contador, El Parador De Las Hortichuelas, Las Cunas, El Hijate

Archaeology and History

Castillo de los Vélez in Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park is a Renaissance building and was declared a National Historic Monument. Los Millares is considered an important Chalcolithic site throughout Europe and was inhabited from 3200 to 2200 BC. The archaeological complex of Los Millares comprises the archaeological site, a visitor reception centre and an interpretation area; visits to these are independent of one another but complement each other. The visit to Los Millares follows a path through the necropolis and then through the settlement with its successive concentric rings of fortifications.

Buildings and Museums

The Alcazaba has a 1,430-metre-long walled perimeter and consists of three areas: two Muslim and one Christian. It was built in the 10th century at the behest of Abd ar-Rahman III after the city was founded. The preserved wall known as Mirador o Ventana de la Odalisca is associated with a legend about a Christian prisoner and the king’s favourite slave girl. Access to the Museo de Almería is at ground level from the square formed by Azorín, Dr. Ferrán and Hermanos Pinzón streets. A lift in the Museo de Almería connects all floors. The collection of the Museo de Almería originated from holdings of the Provincial Monument Commission of Almería.

City and Routes

The Cable Inglés is a masterpiece of iron architecture from the early 20th century. It is accessible on foot and can be visited because of its architectural and historical value. Almería Intermodal Station connects the provincial capital with all the municipalities in the province. The city of Almería is approximately ten minutes from Almería International Airport. The province of Almería has coastal, inland, high-mountain, urban and suburban hiking trails.

Cuisine

The cuisine of the province of Almería combines produce from the sea and the land; peppers and the paprika made from them are particularly noteworthy.