LOCAL AREA INFORMATION FOR THE COSTA DE ALMERIA IN SPAIN

		The Costa de Almeria covers a quarter of the Andalusian coastline and has many hidden and unspoilt beaches and fantastic desert landscape. Almeria is the capital of the province, situated in the middle of the bay to which it gives its name. The passing of different civilisations has left behind a rich monumental heritage, headed by the Alcazaba, the magnificent Muslim fortress which dominates the whole city.

Western Costa de Almeria

Towards the west, before reaching Aguadulce, the coastline begins to change, forming high cliffs. From here onwards, the terrain flattens out, making for an ideal tourist area, currently undergoing expansion: Roquetas de Mar, which maintains the Tower of Castle of Santa Ana from its past, sits among wide beaches. All along this stretch of coast are tourist installations for practising sports, such as golf, tennis, sailing, windsurfing, etc; Almerimar is an attractive example. Beautiful beaches such as Guardias Viejas, Balerma and Balanegra lead to Adra, a town of Phoenician origin, which reached its era of splendour under the Romans.

Eastern Costa de Almeria

To the east of Almeria, stretching out along 20 km of golden beaches, is situated the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Close by San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, which contains interesting Roman and Arab archaeological sites, are the protected areas of Las Amoladeras and Las Salinas Natural Site.

A winding road makes its way to Cabo de Gata, an impressive natural viewing point where the lighthouse is situated. Before the eyes of the visitor unfolds a spectacle of high cliffs wildly beaten by the waves.From San Jose, numerous routes to the coast lead to different places, each with its own special attraction: Los Escullos, La Isleta del Moro, Rodaquilar, Las Negras, San Pedro, Agua Amarga, and La Mesa Roldan.

Carboneras, where the 16th century Castle of San Andres stands out, is a typical clean and tidy Mediterranean town, currently undergoing a growth of tourist development. The whole of this area contains numerous examples of the Indalic culture once found here. Close to the town, at the Playa de Algarrobico, the townspeople still recall the Arab village (Aquaba in Jordan) built by the director David Lean to film scenes from Lawrence of Arabia.

The road, between the sea and Sierra Cabrera, leads to Mojacar, the area´s main tourist centre. The history of the town predates Al-Andalus and even Roman and Iberian Spain, given that this was one of the first sites of settlement in southeastern Andalusia. It is really quite difficult to find two streets at the same level in this attractive town of marked Arab characteristics. Close by is the Tower of Macenas.

Nearby is the village of Turre, with interesting Arab and Roman archaeological remains. Back on the coast is Garrucha, a picturesque fishing village with a great atmosphere in summer. Many watersports can be practised here. From the attractive promenade, with its elegant balustrade, at sundown one may see small fishing vessels make their way back to the shelter of the port.

Vera, both Roman and Arab, maintains part of its past in the form of the churches of la Encarnacion and San Agustin, as well as in the interesting Archaeological Museum. Besides this, its coastline offers, yet again, a wide tourist offering, this time with a very special complement: Europe´s first nudist hotel, situated in the well-known and most established tourist complex of the area, "Puerto Rey".

Antas, birthplace of the Argar prehistoric civilisation, Pulpi, with a castle from the age of Charles V, San Juan de los Terreros, with its house-caves, and coastal villages such as Palomares and Villaricos complete our tour around the attractive eastern Almerian coastline.