Top Things to do in Almeria
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Top 10 Things to do in Almeria, Spain
Founded by the caliph of Cordoba, this Andalucian city on Spain’s southeast coast is a reminder of the region’s Muslim history. The Alcazaba, a massive fort, dominates the city and affords amazing views. Also worth experiencing are the cathedral and the Almeria Museum. East of the city is the rugged, desolate Cabo de Gata-Nijar coast, a protected area. To the west is the resort area of Roquetas de Mar, featuring vast beaches.
Restaurants in Almeria
1. Cabo de Gata - Nijar Natural Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By JenMarkCo - Kingston, Canada
West of Almeria is the ugly intensive farmland and urban developments around Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido. Go east and you enter a different world lacking in major development. The desert coastline in the park is ruggedly beautiful and reaches a climax at the lighthouse at Cabo de Gala and slightly further east at nearby Torre de la Vela Blanca.
At the time of our visit, February 2018, it was not possible to drive the full length of scenic ALP-822 around the coast. The gates at Torre de la Vela Blanca were shut and padlocked. Pity as the onward drive to San Jose would have been beautiful. The dirt road is however available to those on pushbikes and walkers as there is a 'squeeze through' beside the gate. We understood from other visitors that there is another locked gate at the San Jose end of the road.
The small villages along the coast within the park give an impression of what Spain must have been like before the hoards of sun seekers arrived and much of the Mediterranean coast was overbuilt with hotels, apartments and fast food outlets. Quiet small villages with limited accommodations and facilities. Still beautiful unspoilt Beaches, again still mostly without facilities.
One place slightly inland and well worth a half hour visit is the former mining village (was it a town?) of Rodaquilar. See the ruins of abandoned workers houses, street after street. See the paved streets with broken street lamps gradually being reclaimed by nature. See the abandoned mill with its cluster of once-busy clarifiers. Although an anachronism and eyesore within the park, Rodaquilar is as much a part of the local history as anything nearby and is being left to return to nature naturally, not bulldozed into oblivion as is often the case in such situations.
Next time we visit the area, we hope to do some hiking in the remote and beautiful area.
2. Museo Refugio de la Guerra Civil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 548 reviews
Reviewed By fionnualaquinlan - Crawley, United Kingdom
My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our time at this Museum. Although he does not speak Spanish, he found it really interesting and I was able to translate key points. The video at the start has English subtitles and explains a lot, and any written information has an English translation.
3. Conjunto Monumental de La Alcazaba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Monday Closed
Reviewed By Joanna4153 - Derby, United Kingdom
Stunning castle in excellent condition. Free entry! Great for all ages. Stunning views over Almeria and out to sea. Well worth visiting.
4. Museum of Almeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
The Museum was initially set up in a building on calle Javier Sanz, and shared the site with the School of Arts and Trades and subsequently with the "Celia Viñas" Secondary School. The name, Luis Siret, was added to the museum's name in tribute to the memory of this distinguished archaeologist. The collections and the museum were declared a Historical and Artistic Monument in 1962 (Decree no. 474 of 1 March). In 1979, the museum was transferred to the National Ministry of Culture which decided to adapt the former Colegio Menor de Santa María del Mar as the museum's new home, in 1981. It stands in this same square today. The inauguration took place on 22 October 1982. After that, it was called the Museum of Almería although this only became its official title in 1994. Because of the structural problems due to aluminosis, the building's poor state of conservation led to its closure to the public in 1991, although the museum's internal services continued to function. To reduce the impact of such a prolonged closure as much as possible, two permanent Exhibitions were opened in 1995, with a small representative show of Prehistory and Ancient History in Almería outside the museum site, in two places at the Provincial Historical Archive and the Villaespesa Library. At a later date, a single exhibition was organised in the Villaespesa Library called "Archaeological Testimonies in the province of Almería". The Ministry of Culture decided to erect a new building on the same plot following the demolition of the old site. In the meantime, the inside areas were moved to buildings belonging to the Provincial Council, in the former Colegio Virgen del Pilar. Some of the storerooms were also moved there. The remaining items in storage were moved to the former Psychiatric Hospital. Architects Ángela García Paredes and Ignacio García Pedrosa were responsible for designing the new museum site. The result is a building in contemporary style. Its architectural design is primarily intended to provide a strategic makeover of the museum's location. The block, where it used to be, has been reorganised following the creation of a large public square that looks over the city, with an extensive gardened area intended as an area for relaxation. Inside, the spaces are impressively arranged to combine light, contrasting heights and aesthetics in attractive woodwork. The central space of the hall and double stairs give structure to the approach adopted in the architecture and museography, helping visitors to move freely on various themed tours. The building was awarded the PAD and ARCO 2004 prizes and was a finalist in the FAD awards in 2005. On 23 March 2006 the Prince and Princess of Asturias inaugurated the new site and opened the Museum of Almería to the public.
Reviewed By fatoldlady - San Francisco, California
A 4-floor new facility, near train/bus stations, free entry. We were the only visitors during our 2-hour visit mid-day, mid-week, mid-October. Exhibits present material culture of Paleo and Neolithic culture of eastern Andalucía, the agricultural revolution, the rise of social classes, the arrival of the Romans and ending with the Arabs. Christian culture was only mentioned in relation to the demise of the Córdoba caliphate. The beautiful library was a real treat to be able to sit down with reference material and reader at leisure.
5. Oasys MiniHollywood
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
In Tabernas, the only desert in Europe, are the authentic westerns scenarios, turned into the most original Mediterranean Theme Park with Live Shows, a huge Zoological Reserve with more than 800 animals of 200 different species, Pool Areas and a large range of Restaurants, Educational Activities and Events and Celebrations management.
Reviewed By JenMarkCo - Kingston, Canada
Having visited quite a few 'wild west' theme towns and film sets in western USA, my expectations were not high on going to MiniHollywood. However, this turned out to be one of the highlights of visiting the Almeria area.
In winter, MiniHollywood is only open on weekends. Nevertheless a full show is provided on those days and, unlike much of the surrounding area where tourist facilities are minimal in winter, MiniHollywood puts on a full and entertaining show when open. There was enough to see and do to occupy the whole day from just after opening time (10am) till just before closing time (5pm). As expected during winter, attendance was relatively low and, unlike other western theme towns we have visited, it was possible to get good authentic photographs without the intrusion of visitors into the photo. However, I particularly liked the photo I got of the cowboy standing alone beside his horse..... and checking his iPhone!
In addition to the film set itself, MiniHollywood has several standard attractions typical of this type of attraction. As always, there is a gunfight each day between an outlaw (more outlaws in summer?) and the local sheriff. There are also can-can and cowgirl shows. The former was particularly well done and entertaining while remaining 'family friendly'. In addition there is an extensive collection (zoo?) of non-native birds and animals that includes a daily bird show (more shows in summer?). The resident camels look to be particularly at home in their desert surroundings. There is also a museum on the history of the film industry with large numbers of posters and a lot of historic film cameras and theatre projectors on display. In addition, there is a good collection of well-preserved wagons, cars and other road vehicles used in films. The desert garden was interesting particularly since many of the cacti and succulents were in flower during our visit.
MiniHollywood has a snack bar and large buffet restaurant on the premises as well as a bar in the Yellow Rose Saloon where the shows are staged. The buffet restaurant is very comprehensive catering for pretty well all international tastes. It is of particularly good value if purchased in combination with admission tickets at the time of purchase of the admission tickets.
The only drawback that I could find was that public transport to MiniHollywood pretty well doesn't exists, particularly on weekends... and in winter. There is a public bus service several times a day (less on weekends) from Almeria to nearby Tabernas that goes past the entrance to MiniHollywood. However, the times the buses run are not particularly convenient and appear to be more geared to taking residents of Tabernas to Almeria and back than bringing tourists to MiniHollywood. However, there are bus tours to MiniHollywood but again, they are very few and far between in winter. So your own wheels are pretty well essential if you want to make the most of a visit to MiniHollwood.
Would we go to MiniHollywood again if we were in Almeria? Yes, certainly. A good day out.
6. Mercado Central de Almeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Jilliana R - Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom
Not commenting on the fresh produce which looked good not the meat but it totally lacked the atmosphere of a peoples' market. No shouting. Squeaky clean and 'clinical'. I didn't take any photos. Not a gastro destination. No bakers or gourmet Mediterranean produce to buy and take back home for gifts. Not for tourists just for locals. Nothing wrong in that of course but unexciting for tourists and not worth the visit.
7. Paseo de Almeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 345 reviews
Reviewed By Dick L - Manningtree, United Kingdom
This street is lined by shops and tucked away in many shaded corners are tapas bars aplenty.
Just walk the street in the early evening, stopping here and there for a drink and the house tapas (included in the price of the drink) and soak up the atmosphere.
8. Almeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By cantabria2012 - stansted
This is a small museum dedicated to the guitar. They even have a couple of guitars to practice on. The staff were very helpful and informative. Only a couple of euros to go in and well worth it.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 417 reviews
Reviewed By Della G - Coquitlam, Canada
A beautiful 15th century Roman Catholic Cathedral. Nominal entrance fee. Lovely gold gilded accents on gothic arches in central altar area. Religious scenes decorate above archway. A very peaceful setting inside and outside courtyard. Has an interesting collection of religious paintings and artifacts in side room and outside courtyard. Lovely visit.
10. Los Millares - Museo Arqueologico de Almeria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Iris C - Meilen
If you are interested in prehistoric settlements and archeology it is a place to visit. The museum - although very small - is very good and gives an excellent insight in times long gone. Don't expect huge great buildings, but there are a lot of dolmen, low walls and a lot of landscape
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