Costa de Almeria Holiday

This secretive corner of the Spanish coast is finally coming into its own around Costa de Almeria. Once you feel the warm clear waters swirling around your feet as the beating sunshine tans your skin, you'll wonder why it's taken people so long to discover the beautiful beaches and awesome landscapes of the Costa de Almeria.

"Clusters of white-washed buildings nestle between the mountains and the clear blue sea. Leave the world behind and immerse yourself in the relaxed Costa de Almeria."

Beaches

All along the Costa de Almeria, brilliantly clear waters roll onto sand and shingle shores. Here, excellent beaches are comparatively undiscovered, so you might be able to find secluded spots to sunbathe. The best beaches are arguably east of Almeria, but for more developed seafronts, head west to Roquetas and Aguadula. Watersports are low key, with breezes great for windsurfing, so enjoy some of the most laid back beaches in Spain without the hum of motorsports. From the beaches at Mojacar and San José, a short walk along the shore can yield up your very own private patch of Spanish sand.

Shopping

For a typically Almerian souvenir, seek out the hand-painted ceramics, glazed pottery, hand woven rugs and wall hangings sold in shops and markets throughout the region. Almeria itself is the best place for a shopping spree, with shops and a twice weekly market that offers good bargains, particularly leather goods.

Nightlife

Far from the twinkling lights of the busier costa resorts, the nightlife along the Costa de Almeria has retained some Spanish flare - here the tapas bars still offer you a free drink with your tapas. Mojacar, San José and Roquetas de Mar have excellent bars, and after the sun sets, the seafront strips come alive. Stroll along and soak up the music and laughter until you spot something you fancy. Beach bars buzz until the early hours, while an after dinner promenade down to the harbor in Almeria is the perfect end to the evening.

Sheltered from the tourist boom that hit the rest of the costas in the 1960's by poor roads, the Costa de Almeria has now become a unique stretch of Spanish coast, with white-washed buildings instead of high-rise hotels and some of the most relaxed, least busy beaches in Spain. Sandwiched between the mountains and Mediterranean, all the coast's resorts enjoy spectacular settings, as well as the longest and hottest summers in the country. Almeria, the region's capital, was once one of the wealthiest cities in Spain, though little remains to remind us of that. This modern town boasts some impressive and strange sights - the fortified Cathedral and the 'cave quarter', the Barrio de la Chanca, are not things you'd find in every city. Set beneath a mountain, Almeria is overlooked by the Moorish fortress that offers fantastic views across the town and out to sea. To the west and east of Almeria, half abandoned fishing villages have now become flourishing resorts. Mojacar and Roquetas de Mar are probably the most developed of these, with fine beaches, palm lined promenades and seafronts full of restaurants and lively bars. Wherever you choose as your base on this pretty coast, you'll have a wealth of beaches close to hand. Travel inland and the scenery may begin to look familiar. The mountains that dominate the landscape and the almost lunar-like expanses of the Tabernas desert have appeared in many films, including the spaghetti westerns, Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones.

Holiday Tips

In most hotels and aparthotels gentlemen are required to wear long trousers to dinner. Most hotels or apartments ask customers to vacate their rooms between 10am and 12 midday. For late afternoon or evening flights, late check out rooms may be available. Local Specialities

Restaurants, tapas bars, cafés and terrazas line the streets of Almeria and the seafronts of every beach resort. Market gardening is the region's main industry apart from tourism, so for a truly traditional taste, be sure to try the homegrown produce. Melons, tomatoes and olive oil are only some of the whole host of freshly grown fruit and vegetables that compliment the seafood and cured hams predominant in local cuisine. Try the local catch of the day or sample the seafood paella.