Costa de Almeria - The coastline stretches out on either side of the city of Almeria,
with long beaches of sand and shingle. Not as populated as the other costas, the
beaches of Mojacar and Roquetas are just the place to help improve the suntan. This
is spaghetti western country, explore mini Hollywood with its film sets that have
been built in desert like surroundings.
If you're looking for clear skies, reliable sunshine and fine beaches for your villa
holiday, look no further than the Costa de Almería. With at least 300 sunny days
and more total daylight in a year than anywhere else in the world, this south eastern
corner of Spain is blessed with a perfect holiday climate. It's also blessed with
a plentiful supply of villas and apartments to rent.
The freedom from clouds makes the area very dry and gives it its amazingly clear,
bright light. Inland it's virtually desert, which is why so many famous films (including
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, A Fistful of Dollars, Lawrence of Arabia, Patten
and many more) have been shot here. Several of the old film sets – including Mini
Hollywood in the Sierra Alhamilla natural park – have been developed into complete
Wild West towns, where you can enjoy dramatic western-style spectacles where the
bank is robbed and the Sheriff takes on the bad guys three times a day!
Almeria's cathedral is at the heart of the old part of the city, building was begun
in 1524 to replace a predecessor wrecked by the earthquake in 1522. The architecture
is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance, its fortress like appearance was due
to suffering raids by pirates from North Africa. The north facade is an elaborate
mid 16th century design by Juan de Orea.
The interior has a Gothic ribbed ceiling and makes use of jasper and local marble
in some of its neo-classical trimmings. The chapel behind the main altar contains
the tomb of Bishop Villalan, founder of the cathedral, and is another work of de
Orea, as are the choir with its stalls made out of walnut wood.
Almería, city capital of Almería prov., SE Spain, in Andalusia, on the Gulf of Almería.
A busy Mediterranean port, it exports the celebrated grapes of the region, other
fruits, as well as iron and other minerals mined nearby. The city has refineries,
chemical and cement plants, and light industries. The sunny, mild climate attracts
many Northern Europeans.
Almería has the largest naturist beach in Europe (also surrounded by naturist accommodations)
called El Playazo.
