20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ALMERíA

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Almeria has become our land of adoption for a few years. Although we spend a good part of the year traveling, the rest of the time is spent in a small town lost in the area of Cabo de Gata. There we have found a perfect balance: we recharge our batteries before continuing to backpacking the world and take advantage of all the good things that land offers, believe us, it is not small. In this post we share the best 20 things to see and do in Almería.

1. Our favorite place in Almeria, and the one we visit whenever we go, is without a doubt the Alcazaba. And we are not an exception, since it is the most visited monument in the city. This fortress belongs to the era in which Andalusia was Al-Andalus, you can already imagine that it is an Arab citadel, neither more nor less than the largest in Spain. By the way, if you are a fan of Game of Thrones there is one more reason to come ... several scenes set in the city of Dorne were shot right here! On Mondays it is closed and you can go for free (admission is free), or with the option of joining a group with a guided tour.

2. In the Alcazaba begins the Jayrán Wall It was built in the eleventh century for defensive purposes. It reaches the San Cristobal Hill where a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands. From here up the sunset is fading.

Before starting the tour of the old town of Almeria, you can go to the Heritage Interpretation Center, where you will learn more about the extensive history of the city in its three floors, each one dedicated to a stage: Muslim, Christian and contemporary. Close Mondays and it's free.

3. The Constitution Plaza It was the souk in the Arab era and today it is one of the meeting points of Almeria and is always full of life. Although if you want to walk through the true commercial artery of the city, you will have to go to Almeria walk (where you find the Market) or the pretty one Rambla of Bethlehem.

4. But if we have to talk about an emblematic square, that would have to be thePurchena Gate. Around it there are several historic buildings, such as theButterfly House, and symbols as important as the statue of Nicholas Salmerón (President of the First Republic, who resigned from office for refusing to sign death sentences) and the mythical "Cañillo“, A seemingly normal source, but that has a lot of tradition in Almeria (there is a saying that says:“ you are more Almeria than the cane ”).

5. The Cathedral of the Incarnation It is a must-stop monument. Mixed in style (Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical), this imposing cathedral was declared a Historic Monument.

6. Another church worth knowing is the Santiago church, which is characterized by its curious Gothic-Mudejar style.

7. If the day is rainy (and see that it is rare since you are in the sunniest place in Europe!) An original idea is to visit the Museum of the Guitar, where to learn more about this popular instrument with its interactive rooms. You can also approach the Archeological Museum and thus discover objects of prehistoric, Roman and Arabic art.

8. On the other hand, if the sun shines high in the sky, a good way to entertain yourself is to go for a ride Almeria seafront or do some excursion (below we give you several ideas).

9. During the Civil War, Almeria was the last capital to fall into Franco's hands and suffered more than 50 bombings. To protect the population, it was decided to build underground shelters that can now be visited in the Museum of Civil War Shelters. Admission is € 3 and the tour lasts 1 hour. You can see these tunnels and learn more about this sad story in the movie "South of Guernica."

10. In Almería there are several monuments and buildings that belong to the so-called “iron architecture”, Being the dock The Alquife (also known as "English Cable") the best example. Some say it is a horror and who defends this architectural style. One thing is clear: it is very original.

11. Federico García Lorca He was born in the province of Granada, but spent part of his childhood in Almeria. If you want to know more about the incredible history of this writer, there is a tour that will discover the corners that leave Almeria.

Find cheap accommodationin Almeria here. A recommended site is the B & BUTIK Almería Centro

12. A good time to visit Almeria, especially if you love mixing with locals and don't mind crowds, is during your Fair. It takes place in August and is done in honor of the Virgen del Mar. A delicious cuisine awaits you, a few toasts of wine, dances and concerts. Come on, good atmosphere.

13. In Almería it covers luxury and one of the mythical places to do it is Puga House And yes, his fame is well deserved. If you like Moroccan cuisine go try some typical tapas at the restaurant Aljaima, we loved it!

14. Do you already know the main places in Almeria and think that nothing can surprise you? Well, you know that this city hides mysteries and legends that you can discover thanks to this tour. It costs € 10, money well spent to spend a different evening. We declare ourselves super fans of this type of tours!

15. About 30 km from Almeria is the Sirens Reef, one of the most beautiful panoramic points in the whole area ... At least it seems to us. It is best to rent a car to get there and continue ...

16.… Touring the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata. If you like wild landscapes, fishing villages and the good life, you can't miss it! Ideally, you would have several days to get to know this area, but if you only have a few hours, we recommend you go to the Beach of the Dead, surrounded by green mountains and with waters so transparent that you will seem to be swimming in the Caribbean!

17. Go meet Mojacar, a charming town of white houses that dominates a hill. We live next door and as soon as we can we always escape. If you want to eat well we recommend the restaurantNeptune, next to the beach, which specializes in grilled sardines and grilled cuisine.

18. The area of the Alpujarra Almeriense It is another success, especially if you are one of those who enjoy outdoor walks. This time we do recommend you spend at least one night here.

19. Almeria is an area of contrasts, you have the Alpujarra mountains, the beaches of Cabo de Gata and ... the largest desert in Spain! We talk aboutTabernas Desert. In addition to being the only desert technically speaking of all of Europe, it is famous because an infinity of Westerns films were filmed here. In fact you can visit a Village of the West that was the scene of those films and now it has become a theme park, with performances and everything! There is option to know the Tabernas Desert in 4 × 4.

20. And if you still want adventure, a good idea is to do caving in theSorbas Caves. It is the largest underground tunnel system in Spain, and it is not necessary that you have experience, it is enough that you do not suffer claustrophobia and are willing to rush adrenaline. So it can be a perfect activity for the whole family. Here you have more information.