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Almería
( 168.000 pop.)
The
capital of the province with the same name. Places of
interest are the “Alcazaba”
(Arab fortress) which was started in the year 995 and is
considered one of the greatest fortresses in Andalucia,
occupying 43,000 square meters. Also very important is the
Cathedral-fortress unique in Andalusia and needed due to
the great threat of pirates in the area, along with the
churches of San Sebastian, San Pedro and Santiago as well
as the “Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Mar” and the
Monastery of Santa Clara. We must not forget that this
area is famous for the great variety and quantity of tapas
included when you order a glass of wine or a beer in any
bar.
Description
To the east of
Almería is the Cabo de Gata – Níjar Nature Reserve,
with its secluded and quiet wild beaches this
part of the Almeria coast is called Levante which
ends in Mojácar.
The interior of Almería surprises the visitor because of
the mixture between mountain ranges and the desert. When
going towards Granada, you can choose between crossing the
Alpujarras or following the route north of Sierra Nevada.
Another option is the route that travels to the north of
the province to the “Nature Reserve of Sierra de Maria
Los Velez”.
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Mojacar
The
town of Mojacar is one of the most picturesque in the
province, it is white and situated two kilometres from the
beach on a hill with narrow winding streets and long
staircases that disappear behind arches, Here you can
enjoy fantastic views of the entire area while walking
along the pretty streets. Places of interest are “El
Torreón”, “El arco de Luciana”, the ruins of the
Castle of Mojacar, “La ermita de Nuestra Señora de los
Dolores” and the “Church of Santa Maria”. Mojacar
Playa is the prolongation which is situated on the coast,
the beach is around 20 kilometres long practically
reaching the next town called Garrucha . All along the
beach you will find all types of restaurants ,bars hotels
and shops. The restaurants offer a great variety of food
from different countries and Mojacar Playa enjoys a very
international environment.
Landscapes and natural reserves
The
landscape that surrounds Almería is mastered by the
spectacular Cabo de Gata – Níjar Nature Reserve and the
mountainous areas of the Mountains ranges of Gádor,
Alhamilla and Filabres. Enclosed between the last two, you
will find the Tabernas desert,
unique in Spain. On the way to Sorbas, the desert
adjoins with the natural
landscape of
Karst in Yesos.
Cabo
de Gata – Níjar Nature Reserve
It
is the only natural park of Andalusia that combines coastal and interior
areas. Of volcanic origin, this enclosure consists of 33.663
hectares with quiet bays, with reef formations, saline
regions and even swamps. The interior of the park is of dry
nature and with little vegetation.
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The
Escullos
Fishing
village, with a watchtower from the XVIII century. The
beach is very wide with
interesting rocky formations.
The
Isleta del
Moro
Small
fishing village, with a small intimate beach and wonderful
views.
Rodalquilar
Abandoned
village, with the remains of San
Ramon castle and an ancient mine. Close to
“El Playazo” which has volcanic reefs.
Las Negras
Quiet
fishing village. Located around black volcanic rock
formations, close to the bay “Cala de San Pedro”.
Los
Millares
Archaeological
deposit of the Copper Age (2.700 a.c.) the most important
in Europe. Remains of a necropolis.
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Town
of Níjar
( 15.400 pop.)
White
village situated just outside of the Natural park, it is famous
for its local crafts (ceramics, rugs ). Places of interest are
the neighbourhoods of “El Portillo” and “La Atayala” (which
remain in their original layout) and the Mudejar Church.
Tabernas
(
3.200 pop.)
In
the desert of the same name this sleepy town of white cube like
houses with a Moorish air, is presided over by the ruins of what
was once an impregnable Moorish Alcazabar. This ancient fortress
played a decisive role as a defensive stronghold of the Kingdom
of Granada until it was finally forced to surrender to the
Catholic Monarchs in 1489. Places of interest are the parish
church and the Sanctuary of “Nuestra Señora de las
Angustias”.
Due to the resemblance of this desert to the landscape of the
“wild west” this area was converted into a film location and
is now immortalised into screen set towns, such as “Mini
Hollywood” and “Western
Hollywood” popular stops for children of all ages!
Sorbas
This
town is situated on a gully from which hang its white houses
making it very attractive.It is known for the quality of its
ceramics and for its caves of
"Karst en Yesos"Which have made it into a
popular destination for geologists from all over the world.
Carboneras
Former
fishing village with 16 kilometres of beaches. Places of
interest “The Castle
of San Andrés”, the “Torre Vigía del Rayo”, the “Torre
de Mesa Roldan”, the “Casa Fuente” and the “Casa del
Laberinto”. Nearby you can find secluded beaches which are
worth visiting ,like the “Playa de los Muertos” situated on
the way to Agua Amarga. The coastal road from Carboneras to
Mojacar is of particular beauty. On this trip you can see a great quantity of wild and solitary beaches and spectacular
views.
Agua
Amarga
This
small fishing village is very pretty thanks to its quiet and
scenic beach which is decorated with interesting rock formations.
The
Alpujarra Region
This
area is very popular due to its beauty. It starts in Granada and
finishes in Almeria, it is between the Sierra Nevada and the
Sierra of Gador and it follows the course of the River Andarax.
It basically consists of small white towns which hang in this
mountain range, this is where the moors hid after the fall of
Granada. In Laujar de Andarax, the capital of the Alpujarra
Almeriense is buried the Moor King Boabdil who lost Granada in
the year 1492. According to legend the first inhabitant of the
area was Tubal (Noahs grandson) who came from Armenia.
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