History
The Costa de Almeria lies on the south coast of Spain and is surrounded by Grenada, Murcia and Malaga. With over 3000 hours of sunshine every year, the area is one of the sunniest places in Spain. Part of the autonomous community of Andalucia, the Costa de Almeria has been the location of several American western movies.
The wider area of Almeria has been home to many different civilisations through the centuries and the area is full of items and artefacts of archaeological significance. There is significant archaeological importance in and around the areas of Los Millares and el Argar with the Cartaginians, Greeks and Phoenicians exploiting the natural minerals and trading in the area over the years. The Romans conquered the area in the 3rd century and transformed it into Porto Magnus. The Romans ruled Almeria until the 7th century when the Roman Empire crumbled and the Visigoths took over.
The Moorish Muslims invaded and the area became one of the most significant in Muslim Spain. Remaining in Spain for almost 8 centuries, the Arabian influences still remain to this day. The many fortresses and castles are evidence of the area’s rich military past and there are also many monuments that celebrate the areas agricultural and industrial past. The Costa de Almeria has a history of invasions, conflicts and border disputes which are signified by the many castles and coastal defences that remain to this day.
Places to Visit
The capital city of Almeria offers all the excitement, culture and nightlife that are evident in the major resorts and cities of Spain.
Almeria City – This is a typically Spanish city with a blend of both its Muslim and Christian past. Lively and energetic, the city also boasts many historical sites such as the Alcazaba Castle that looks over the city. The city is full of picturesque squares, ancient streets and beautiful parks to spend the day roaming around. There is also a trendy marina and ferry port with services to northern Africa. Just outside the city are the coastal resorts of Mojacar, Anguadulce and Roquetas de Mar.
Almerimar – Located to the west of Almeria City, this fast growing modern holiday resort is packed full of marinas, luxury hotels and excellent restaurants. Almerimar is fast becoming a major coastal resort town in Spain.
Adra – Further west is the fishing port town of Adra. This much quieter location is home to another of the region’s castles and various areas of archaeological importance.
Roquetas de Mar – Originally a traditional Spanish fishing village, the town was designated a National Tourist Amenity in 1967. Originally settled by the Romans, the town is now a maze of ancient winding Moorish streets, full of bars, restaurants and shops. Despite the modern influences, the city’s past is alive and well in the form of the tower of the Castilla de Santa Ana. The church of the Virgen del Roasario is a great place to visit, housing a stunning altarpiece, depicting the Virgin Mary.
Mojacar – This town is still steeped in its Moorish traditions with its ancient fortifications and winding streets. Exploring this village by foot is recommended as nowhere in Spain captures the history and heritage of the country as Mojacar does.
Cuisine
The area of Andalucia is touched by many civilisations and this legacy is found in the cuisine of the Costa de Almeria. The popular dishes of the area include gazpacho and lots of fried fish or, as the local would say, pescaito frito. Frying is the preferred cooking style in the region with olive oil the favourite ingredient which is sourced from the local producing areas of Jaen, Cordoba, Seville and Grenada.
Fish in particular, is cooked ‘a la andaluza’ which means it is covered in flour, sometimes from chick peas. Large quantities of olive are then used to fry with.
Just like the rest of Spain, the consumption of fish in the Costa de Almeria is high with white shrimp from the Bay of Cadiz, prawns, anchovies, squid and cuttlefish all very popular. This region of Spain generally cooks with many more varieties of seafood than other parts of the country. Bocas de la Isla is a popular dish in San Fernando that only uses a particular type of local crab that can regenerate its claw!
The Andalucian cuisine is perhaps the most unusual in Spain, with dishes like ortiguillas or sea anenomes in batter being very popular amongst the locals. The desserts of the region are influenced heavily by medieval Andalucia with local dishes like pestinos or deep fried pastry coated in honey being extremely popular. The cuisine in this region is possibly the most authentically Spanish of all the resorts. This area is relatively undeveloped compared with the other ‘costas’ and the international restaurants and cuisines of the big resorts aren’t as prevalent in the region.
Where to Stay
The Costa de Almeria offers a great alternative to the traditional resorts as the aggressive commercialisation hasn’t yet ravaged the beautiful coastlines and countryside. To the east of Almeria is the Nijar natural park. The stunning dessert landscape is unique to the area and the wider region is one of the least populated in all of Spain. Those who love to explore nature or backpack will see this area as a great adventure.
If it’s budget accommodation and the comforts found at home that are required out of a holiday, this area may not be ideal. If it is a quiet and secluded holiday, away from the loud and brash resorts, the Costa de Almeria is ideal. While there are larger resorts such as Roquetas de Mar, they are a lot less developed than the major resorts of Benidorm or Lloret de Mar. The relatively untouched nature of the Andalucian resorts will be a major advantage for many people and is considered one of the region’s strengths.
While there isn’t the choice if accommodation found in the major resorts, there is still a fantastic range of hotels, apartments and holiday homes in the area, seamlessly integrated into the traditional and unspoilt towns and villages. Accommodation may be a little more expensive than in other resorts, but the quiet, historic and authentic ambience are well worth the extra expense.
Weather
Southern Spain enjoys year round sun and the Costa de Almeria is no exception. While temperatures in the summer regularly exceed 30C, the main difference in the climate of this area compared with the rest of the country is the lack of rainfall. The area is extremely dry all year round which creates a dessert terrain in the inland areas.
The region enjoys 12 hours of sunshine per day in the summer and the hot summer nights are ideal for al fresco dining. The average annual rainfall of only 200mm makes this an ideal location to ensure a holiday enjoys the best possible weather. The region is very popular in the spring and autumn as temperatures generally never drop below the mid-twenties, making it pleasant and bearable for those who don’t like excessive heat. The winters on the Costa de Almeria are the warmest on the mainland of Spain with average temperatures in December and January around 10C. Winters are relatively very dry with up to 6 hours of sunshine per day and lots of cloudless blue skies.
Transport
The airports in Almeria and Malaga serve the area well, with regular scheduled and chartered services from within Spain and Europe every day. The towns and villages of the region are a lot smaller than in other areas and most can be navigated on foot – in fact it is recommended! Exploring the wider region will probably require a car and there are several rental companies available with very competitive rates. Of course, taxis are everywhere in the larger resorts and in typical Spanish tradition, are generally very cheap.
