| |
 |
Those
who think that the Spanish coast is made up entirely of
resort hotels, residential complexes and tourist
attractions would be mistaken. Although most foreign
visitors to Spanish shores do indeed visit region that
broadly fit this description, there are still areas
where nature reigns supreme and the Mediterranean washes
a shoreline that has remained pretty much unaltered for
centuries. |
Here, in
the quaint little fishing villages of the ‘real' Spain , the
pace of life is still truly gentle and the way of life rich
in flavour. In recent times, foreign visitors have become
increasingly drawn to the peace and authenticity of these
Costas, a paradise for those who still want to enjoy beaches,
sport and the outdoor life, but wish to do so away from the
crowds of more commercialised areas.
One such region is the Costa de Almería, a
land of stark natural beauty where the colour of sea and
vegetation stands out against the arid tones of the land.
Driven by this interest, small resort areas have sprung up
in coastal and inland areas, yet the fact that large
stretches of land fall within protected natural parks means
that the region is protected from over-development. Inland
Almeria has an almost lunar landscape of desert, sandstone
and dried up river beds and has long been a popular choice
for filming adventure and western style epics. Those who
visit or buy properties here still enjoy such luxuries as
golf courses, water sports, restaurants and the benefits of
good infrastructures and communications, yet the kind of
person who comes to the Costa de Almería is very keen to
preserve the charm of this unique corner of Spain . Add
excellent value for money to this mix and it is clear why
the Costa de Almería is such a favourite with homebuyers and
investors alike.
Mojacar Pueblo and
Mojacar Playa
Undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque
resort town in south-eastern Spain, this is Almeria's
'Ronda' --the white-washed houses and cobbled streets of
Mojacar are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy
beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean . This unspoilt
ancient Moorish fortress town has been a favourite with
artists and writers for many years, and now attracts holiday-makers
who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated
along the nearby stretch of beach, fortunately not yet to
the detriment of the town's appearance or beguiling
atmosphere. The village centre is honeycombed with narrow
casbah-like cobbled alleyways, which hide many quaint
surprises, like a Roman fountain pumping fresh spring water
and the unusual fortified church of Santa Maria .
Mojacar Playa
with sandy beaches, stretches for 9km beneath
the ancient village of Mojacar extending as far as the
eye can see in both directions. The main beach strip features
many shops, hotels, internet cafes and a great variety
of international restaurants. A commercial centre is
at the roundabout at the bottom of the hill as you come
down from Mojacar Pueblo.
Mature Villas and apartments also line the strip; all
tastefully built in keeping with the traditions of the
area. |
|
Mojacar
Playa is the most cosmopolitan and lively part of the Almeria
coast. Surrounded by the sea on one side and the magnificent
mountains of the Sierra Cabrera to the rear Mojaca Playa paints
an enchanting picture captured many times by local and visiting
artists alike.
Garrucha was created around a fishing port, where
boats fished under the protection of the " Torre de la
Garrucha " ("Garrucha Tower ") which was located by the sea,
next to the "Alfolí" (Salt store), where today we can find
the Town Hall. That typical Nasrid building was made with
adobe walls; it was probably built as a refuge for the
Muslim fishermen when they were attacked by the Christians
who came from Lorca ( Murcia ). This tower was destroyed by
the earthquake of 1518.
 |
With
its origins as a small fishing village, Garrucha was
called "the small San Sebastián ", the big port for the
mines which once had Vice-consuls from ten different
countries after the expansion of the shipment of silver,
iron and lead in the meaddle of the 19th century.
Garrucha was the centre of antique historical remains,
which go back about 5,000 years. |
A natural
port which supplied several armies, exported esparto grass and
marble, and always had a good fish catch. The active Garrucha
was attacked by pirates, and reached its golden age under the
shelter of such mining wealth, as well as being chosen as the
summer residence by those families enriched thanks to the mining
industry.
At the turn of the 20th century, Garrucha was enjoying a
feverish economic and social life: casinos, ballrooms, and
tennis club gave to the village the glamour so different from
the other coastal villages in the area, appearance which evoked
towns as San Sebastián (Basque Country), where the streets where
filled with appeal in summer.
The charming small town of Villarícos is located
approximately ten kilometres north of Garrucha, a lively
fishing harbour in the process of development with villas,
hostels and hotels, as well as some fine seafront fish
restaurants. Villarícos is situated in a unique position on
the mouth of the Rio Almanzora and the coast.
There
is a strong fishing community here, as well as several
unspoilt beaches.
The surrounding countryside is stunning with the entire
stretch of coastline sheltered by the dramatic Sierra
Almagrera mountain. |
|
There are
some spectacular caves due east of here - Cuevas Almanzora and
continuing off the beaten track leads you to Vélez Rubio where
the large Iglesia de la Encarnación is the most lavish baroque
building in the province.
Vera
The
walled, renaissance town of Vera is one of the most
important commercial centres in the region. Originally
called Baria, it was located by sea near Villaricos.
The Arabs moved it to the hill of Espiritu Santo, but a
huge earthquake destroyed it in 1518. The tale goes that
Queen Isabel climbed to top of this hill, fired an arrow
and ordered that Vera be built where it landed.
Vera as we know it was built in the 16 th Century in the
urban Renaissance style and later enlarged in 18 th
Century.
The main square, Plaza Mayor, has several noteworthy
buildings. The Church de la Encarnación (1520), flanked
by 4 great towers, was built as a fort to protect
against the frequent Moorish attacks. |
|
Inside
there are marvelous altarpieces, remarkable in their
architecture. To the left of this is the Ayuntamiento (town
hall) built in the 16 th Century and renovated in the 18 th
Century. Here, on the ground floor, is the Ethnographic and
Archaeological Museum , originally the barracks of civil guard.
There are exhibits on history, folklore and local traditions.
The town hall also houses the municipal archives.
Other
interesting buildings include:
-
Church of the Convent de Nuestra Seňora de la Victoria or de
Mínimos (1605).
- The
Royal Hospital of San Agustín (19 th Century) which replaced
the same named building founded by Charles 1 of Spain
himself (1521).
-
Hermitage de Nuestra Seňora de las Huertas, built on
outskirts of Vera to give thanks to the people of Lorca for
their help in liberating Vera from the siege of 1569 by
Moorish troops.
-
Hermitage de la Virgen de las Angustias (19 th Century) that
houses the patron saint of Vera .
A more
modern construction is the Plaza de Toros (Bullring) on the
Garrucha road, built in 1879 in the Mudejar style and restored
in1993. on the 25th September, patron saint Cleofas' day, is
the setting for bullfights.
Vera is a
prosperous town with a great variety of shops, many selling
locally made handicrafts, and on Saturdays there is an
amazing street market that seems to take over the town. An
equally strong attraction is the local cuisine, found both
in classy restaurants and tapas bars.
Vera Playa
Nearby at
Vera Playa there is the only Water Park in the area, Parque
Acuatico . Here you can take a thrilling ride on one of the
many flumes or sit and relax by one of three swimming pools.
There is an excellent selection of water shoots and slides
and a children's section with a play area and their own
water slides. The park is open from
May until the end of
September.
The Vera Playa area is the site
of many new-build projects currently in construction. The
area benefits from the long expanses of sandy beach and
relatively flat land just inland in which many attractive
gated communities with lovely properties are now underway
such as the Al Andalus Thalassa
project or the
Pueblo Salinas project.
Very
Playa is also famous for it's long standing naturist beach
which is relatively isolated from the other public beaches
in the area.
The Almanzora Valley
 |
Zurgena
lies in the lower basin of the Rio
Almanzora; the river divides the village with
the old village standing on a hill. The Mudejar
style church stands majestically tall above the
village houses. Nearby are the Cueva del
Llano de las Eras.
Further up the valley in spurs of the Sierra de
los Filabres Mountains lies Arboleas
in a much drier landscape contrasting
with the fertile land at the riverside. |
This valley has an abundance of citrus and fruit trees
populating the area the surrounding area that make
Currently the pueblo is undergoing a change where the
production of olive oil is being developed |
| |
|
The Sierra de las Estancias and the
Sierra de los
Filabres mountain ranges amidst stunning
countryside of olive groves, orchards of citrus trees
and dramatic hills and valleys, flank the small town of
Albox . Several rivers and streams flow
close to the town, including the Rios Almanzora and
Albanchez that contribute to the area's rich
agricultural heritage. |
| |
Albox is a
typical whitewashed village with narrow streets
interspersed with small plazas; it has an air of wealth
and prosperity, as it has been a local commercial centre
since the 19th Century. Cantoria is a
town that relies on the production of marble, as is its
main resource, although it stands on a fertile plain
producing agricultural goods. The town is more uniform
with straight streets than its neighbours. Also in the
“marble zone” lies Olula Del Rio , as
with Cantoria this valuable asset is its main resource.
There are several archaeological remains, the Verde
Olula and caves, Cueva de Humosa . As a
sign of its main resource, the church is completely
decorated in marble.
|
Purchena is the municipality of
the Province; it lies at the foot of the
Sierra de los Filabres surrounded by
woods. There is a statue of an arquero (archer)
in marble at the entrance of the village.
Purchena is famous for its
Juegos Moriscos, these games, with the same
values as the Olympics have been recognised by
the International Olympic Committee. |
|
|
| |
|
Purchena has a wealth of history and its tranquil
atmosphere belies its past. The legacy of it past is
left with the ruins of the Torre del Agua (water tower),
the Alcazaba (castle) and the 16th Century Iglesia
Parroquial de San Ginés (Parish church). |
| |
Tíjola is known as the “Pearl of
Almanzora”or “Little Granada”. It stands on a beautiful
fertile plain in a valley formed by the Sierra
de las Estancias and the Sierra de los
Filabres . It has a Mudejar style church, the
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María with a separate
chancel. Also several archaeological remains.
 |
Séron lies in a magnificent
landscape of vines and citrus trees, the
whitewashed houses nestle on the hillside with a
13th Century castle standing sentry over the
houses. The parish church, Iglesia Parroquial de
Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación is 15th Century.
Séron is rich with heritage and has been settled
since prehistoric times. |
|
| |
|
The final village in the province of Almanzora is
Alcóntar whose economy is based on
agriculture and whose boundary lies with the province of
Granada . The source of the Rio Almanzora lies within
its boundaries and walking is popular in this area
|
Cabo de Gata Natural Park
A
lighthouse stands at the tip of the Cabo de Gata peninsula,
north of Almeria city, marking the extremity of Andalusia 's
largest coastal nature reserve, a fascinating landscape cocktail
of arid desert, volcanic mountains, jagged sea cliffs, sand
dunes, wetlands, a lagoon and sandy hidden coves. Mountain
bikers, hikers, bird-watchers and water sports enthusiasts of
all persuasions get away from it all to this natural wonderland
which encompasses some quaint fishing hamlets, historic ruins
and magnificent stretches of beach.
|
Tabernas
Movie buffs in particular enjoy a visit to the
little village of Tabernas, about 16 miles (26km)
from Almeria city, set between the Sierra de
Alhamilla and Sierra de Filabres in a barren
landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland reminiscent
of the American Wild West.
A few decades ago when Western movies were the most
popular Hollywood genre, legendary stars such as
Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef, Claudia Cardinale and
Charles Bronson strutted their stuff here in the dry
heat on film sets which fans will recognise from
such great films as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ,
A Fistful of Dollars and The Magnificent Seven .
|
|
The movie
lots have now become theme park tourist attractions. There are
three to visit: Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western
Leone. All offer a fun day out in Europe 's only desert region,
with stagecoach rides, live shows, a zoo and the opportunity to
slake your thirst in the saloon.
Almeria City
The
ancient Andalusian city of Almeria lies sheltered at the base of
a bay, proudly dominated by the amazing Alcazaba, a huge Moorish
citadel with three walled enclosures dating from 995. From the
citadel visitors have a good view of the city's most impressive
and important Christian monument, the Cathedral, dating from
1524, designed more like a fortress than a church because of the
need to defend it from pirate attacks. The Cathedral contains
numerous art treasures, including a tabernacle dating from the
18th century, designed by Ventura Rodriguez. With its
interesting medieval architecture, Almeria 's old town is a
delight to stroll through with its tranquil squares, archways
and colonnades. The city also has a fascinating archaeological
museum and unique cave dwellings in the hillside above the old
gypsy quarter
Roquetas de Mar
The
popular tourist resort town of Roquetas de Mar was once a sleepy,
picturesque fishing village, dating from Roman times, and it
still retains its warren of Moorish alley-like streets and
pretty aspect of white-washed houses ascending the hillside.
Hotel and apartment complexes, however, are beginning to
dominate the skyline especially along the long, sandy beaches
adjacent to the village.
Tourism is big business along the holiday strip, with shops
selling local crafts jostling with numerous restaurants and bars,
and myriad activities on offer from horse riding to scuba diving
or sailing. Roquetas has an 18-hole golf course (at Playa
Serena) and a specially designated nudist beach. Those
interested in history will enjoy exploring the ruins of the
medieval Castilla de Santa Ana and other fortifications in the
area, and bird-watchers have a treat in store at the Las Marinas
salt marsh and Punta Entinas beaches a few miles south of the
village, where flamingos, egrets and avocets gather.
Almerimar
This
lovely oasis on the southern Almeria coastline has several
kilometres of beach with crystal-clear waters, a fine marina and
three golf courses, one designed by Gary Player . Almerimar can
also offer hotels, holiday homes and apartments. Further along
the coast are the abandoned saltplains at Guardians Viejas, a
beautiful natural area where many gulls and cranes are to be
found.
Golf
Several
existing excellent golf courses are available for the whole
family including:
Desert
Springs (near Vera )
Valle
d'Este (near Garrucha)
Marina
Golf Mojacar
Cortijos Grande (near Turre)
Playa
Serena (Roquetas de Mar)
Almerimar
Golf Club (Almerimar)
Upcoming
new golf courses:
Ballabona
(near Zurgena – two 18-hole courses due 2008 - 2009)
Playa
Macenas (18-hole course due 2007)
Getting to Almeria
Almeria Airport is just north of Almeria
city and is easy to fly in and out of from the UK and Europe.
More and more low-cost carriers are now offering scheduled
routes. Bargain flights are also available if you choose
to fly into Granada Airport instead of
Almeria Airport. Your transfer time to Almeria and the
Mojacar area is about 2 hrs but for many people the low cost
of the flights wins out.
Another option is to fly into Murcia's San Javier
Airport and then travel down to Almeria (about a 1
hour drive).
*
If you need more
for the prices of specific units please click now!!!
|
902 024 954
is a city founded by the
Phoenicians and developed by the Romans. Dominated by a
magnificent Moorish fort it includes many fascinating sights
in the city and the added bonus of easy access to the
airport.
Contact us/Email: