Costa Almeria destinations
The coastline varies enormously in the degree and type of development along it. The stretch of shore between Granada province and Almeria city is the most blighted by plastic greenhouses, although it has the occasional wildlife oasis, such as the lakes in the Albuferas de Adra Natural Reserve, which attract numerous aquatic birds undeterred by the sea of plastic that surrounds them. Another protected enclave south of the resort of Roquetas de Mar is the Punta Entinas-Sabinar Natural Area, covering a beach and marshlands between two headlands in the municipality of El Ejido, the epicentre of the plastic greenhouse agriculture.
East of Almeria there is a remarkable change as you draw nearer to the Cabo de Gata. The park has a long, rugged coastline with secluded bays and remote beaches, some linked only by a footpath. Much of the park is comprised of volcanic rocky mountains that plunge directly to the shore, creating one of Andalucia´s most dramatic coastlines. San Miguel del Cabo de Gata is the first village you come to in the park from Almeria, close to a saltwater lagoon with exceptional birdlife, the Salinas del Cabo de Gata. The next coastal village is the largest one in the park, San José, with the small resorts of Las Negras, La Isleta del Moro and Agua Amarga to the north.
The most popular resorts are Roquetas de Mar and Mojácar, the latter with the highest concentration of foreign residents in the province. The villages are listed below in order of location, running along the coast from West to East.
Destinations
The city of Almería is Andalucia's most eastern capital. Years ago, it was not as well known by tourists as other capitals like Malaga, Sevillle, or Granada. However, that has changed drastically… More →
Las Negras takes its name from the mountain to the the left of the village, El Cerro Negro (“The Black Mountain”). This is a large mass of dark volcanic material, which has spread over the sea and… More →
San Miguel de Cabo de Gata is the full name of a small fishing village located 10km to the north of the important Cape (Cabo de Gata) on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Although there are only a… More →
Retamar is one of the coastal suburban towns of the city of Almería. With easy access to the airport and ample holiday apartments, it provides visitors from Spain and further afield with an ideal… More →
Agua Amarga is a pretty fishing village and beach resort on the Almeria coast, in Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park, with a population of just 400. Still undiscovered by large-scale tourism, this is… More →
Rodalquilar is a small village of about 200 inhabitants just off the Cabo de Gata coast road, AL-4200 between San José and Las Negras. It is a few kilometres inland, and it is not historic hill… More →
If Bond movies, quirky bars, fossils and remote Mediterranean beaches appeal to you, take a trip to Los Escullos. Los Escullos is a small cluster of houses overlooking the jagged Almeria coastline… More →
La Isleta del Moro is a quaint fishing hamlet known for its picturesque setting, and well worth the 500m detour from the AL-4200 San Jose to Las Negras coast road.Population is about 200. The name… More →
Almerimar is a purpose-built modern resort town situated 40km west of Almeria city. It serves as a spectacular family holiday resort, boasting 13km of beautiful, sandy beaches with crystal blue… More →
Belonging to the municipality of Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce is one of the most important touristic hubs of Almería province, located some 8km from Almería city. In 1964 it was declared first in… More →
Villa de Vícar is situated in the southern foothills of the Sierra de Gádor. Belonging to one of the richest regions in Spain, most of the municipal area is dedicated to intensive greenhouse… More →
La Mojonera formed part of the Felix district until 1984. The principal economic activity here is the local production of confectionary, which is recognized throughout the region. The town has… More →
Felix is another village whose architecture gives away its Arabic past. The mass of white houses is presided over by an eleventh-century Arabic castle. Legend says that the castle is de la matanza… More →
One of the most distinctive features of Enix is the abdunance of water features in its municipal centre. It has also managed to preserve the traditional narrow, tiered streets and white facades… More →
El Ejido is one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Almerian coast for beaches and sunshine, with an interesting artistic and cultural heritage for visitors to enjoy. The area also… More →
As well as sun, beaches and various water sports, Adra offers its visitors a rich cultural and artistic heritage based on its extensive past. The town has around 24, 900 inhabitants. Adra was… More →
Vera is another important ‘sun and beach’ town in the province of Almería that attracts a lot of tourism, especially from those who practice naturism. It is not surprising, then, that there are… More →
Turre’s name comes from the Latin turris, meaning ‘tower’, and since the Ibero-Roman occupation of the town, it has acted as a settlement for numerous Mediterranean civilizations, inclucing the… More →
Sorbas, also known as Cuenca la Chica, is an extremely impressive village. It is located on a small plateau over the Río Aguas, and its white houses are almost suspended over the ravine. It has… More →
Pulpí is home to the Giant Geode of Pulpí, a beautiful volcanically formed cavern covered in transparent gypsum crystals, considered the best preserved in the world. It is therefore no surprise… More →
Lubrín is an ideal destination for lovers of rural tourism. Visitors can discover its charm by walking through the residential areas, and the centre offers the typical narrow, steep Andalusian… More →
Los Gallardos is neatly situated in a valley, 8km from the sea and 5km from the mountains. It is 73km from Almeria city and has around 2,800 inhabitants. The town finds its origin in the beginning… More →
The area surrounding Huércal Overa is a haven for lovers of hiking. Visitors should especially look out for the walking program organized every year by the Town Hall. The town has around 18,800… More →
Garrucha has a rich history spanning fishing traditions and industrial mechanization, all of which can be observed throughout the town. It has around 8,800 inhabitants. The earliest reference to a… More →
Cuevas de Almanzora owes its name to its caves (cuevas) and the Almanzora river that runs through it, and offers visitors a rich variety of things to do, including an excursion to the cave houses… More →
Sitting in a unique and spectacular environment, Carboneras is a perfect destination for nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy the views, or practice open-air sports including hiking or scuba diving.… More →
Bédar has a strong mining past which is evident in the area of El Pinar (which has now been urbanized), from which the first cableway in the province was erected in 1888. This cableway ran to the… More →
Mojácar clings to a rocky hillside watching over the Mediterranean. An hour’s drive from Almeria City. It actually comprised of two distinct areas; Mojácar Pueblo (town) and Mojácar Playa (beach… More →
Roquetas de Mar is a fishing town just 15 minutes by car from the provincial capital, Almería. It is famed not only for its fishing traditions, which are preserved today through gastronomy and… More →
The charming small town of Villarícos is located approximately ten kilometres north of La Garrucha, a lively fishing harbour in the process of development with villas, hostels and hotels, as well… More →
San José sits beside a shallow bay at the south end of the Cabo de Gata Natural Area. Once a small eighteenth-century fishing village, it is now the most important touristic hub of the Cabo de… More →