Almeria

21 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Destination

Location

Date of travel

February, 2018

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Friend(s)

Reasons for trip

IF YOU fancy a taste of Southern Spain but want to avoid the tourist traps of the Costa del Sol, head east to Almeria.

The city boasts an easy mix of history – the Alcazaba or citadel, dates from the 10th century – with a modern vibe and thriving night life.

I visited on a trip with fellow geology students, with the days spent exploring the surrounding area and the nights visiting different restaurants in the town, seeking a variety of culinary experiences.

On the geology side, the area is crammed full of interest – and it doubles up for film fans as a way to visit locations for movies such as El Cid, the Spaghetti westerns, and the Indiana Jones series.

So you can enjoy traversing a landscape influenced by collisions between the tectonic plates of Europe and Africa, and also pretend to be taking a role in a Clint Eastwood movie, following the path of a rambla (a dried-up riverbed) while keeping a sharp eye out for bandits on the cliff tops above.

For me the geological highlights were finding fossils in reef complexes around Cabo de Gata, and looking for garnets at El Hoyazo near Nijar.

Back in Almeria, we stayed in the Hotel La Perla, which was an excellent resting place, although lacking a bar and restaurant. Undaunted, we quickly discovered a kiosk 60m away in Plaza Manuel Perez Garcia which became our unofficial home for coffee and nightcaps.

Pick of the restaurants we tried was Teteria Almedina in Calle Paz, which offered a unique experience akin to dining in a Moroccan home, with three generations of a family doing all the cooking and serving of wonderful dishes: the walk to the restaurant, taking us on a winding trip around the back streets below the Alcazaba, was part of the treat.

And for the authentic tapas experience, we enjoyed Casa Puga in Calle Jovellanos, a little cramped and noisy but a great way to taste local cuisine – get there early or book in advance as the place is renowned for its food so incredibly popular.

Aside from that, the city itself has so much to explore. The climate means that, even in February, there’s plenty of outdoor entertainment, with Valentine’s Day being celebrated with a square full of hearts and declarations of love. Simply wandering the streets turns up plenty of spectacular sights, including some beautiful sculptures, and there’s plenty of greenery in the massive trees that line the streets and squares.

I felt perfectly safe wandering around the city on my own, and the people were a pleasure to meet and talk to, and, all in all, I came away feeling I’d enjoyed a glimpse of the real Spain beyond the tourist traps.

Viva Espana, especially the Spain of this south-eastern corner.

Jane Leigh

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.