The province of Almeria, is located in the South East of the peninsula and bounded to the north east by the provinces of Granada and Murcia, to the East by the Mediterranean, and to the west by the province of Granada. Almeria has an area of 8,774 square km, with a population of 425.000 inhabitants of which 145,000 live in the capital.

The civilizations, which in the course of the time have passed through this province, have left profound tracks in El Argar Los Millares, in La Cueva de Nieles in Letreros and several other places.

Almeria is above all a sunny region, registering more than 3100 hours of sunshine annually and an average temperature of 12.6°C in winter, 18.5°C in spring, 23.2°C in summer and 16.2°C in autumn. For this reason the Spanish-German astronomical centre has been installed on the outskirts of Gergal, with the most powerful telescope in Europe, and in Tabernas the most important solar energy plant in Europe.

The kindness of the climate with the natural protection of the mountain range of Sierra de Gador avoiding the penetration of the north winds, has converted this agricultural zone into the most productive in Europe with more than 10,000 hectares of greenhouses, plenty of vegetables, flowers and garden production cultivated under plastic. Most of the production of 250,000 tons travel daily to many EC Countries.

The white marble of Macael extracted in that locality, is being exported all over the world due to its great quality.

The extensive coast line with more than 190 km of private and public beaches includes a great variety of little bays, inlets and cliffs where naturism can be practiced as well as all types of aquatic sports especially underwater fishing.

Almeria climate can be defined as subtropical, mediterranean, warm and dry under a clear and sunny sky. The average sea temperature is 16°C in winter, 17°C in spring, 24°C in summer and 22°C in autumn.

The coast offers sport lovers a wide variety of alternatives, from golf to tennis or sailing. There are numerous marinas or schools for sailing and long sandy beaches.

The eastern part of the coast, offers villages as unique and well preserved as Mojacar, a place of unspoilt beauty.

Carboneras, which is becoming more popular owing to the clearness of its water, its 16 km of golden sandy beaches, the quality of the sand and the beauty of their landscapes.

Vera, with Roman and Arabic heritage maintains some of its past through the churches of La Encarnacion and San Agustin, as well as in the interesting Museo Arqueologico. Meanwhile, its coastline, as in Garrucha, again offers a wide range of tourist activities, with the special attraction of Europe's first nudist hotel, located in the area's best known complex, Puerto Rey. Vera offers a long strip of sand of 5 km long, which is known as El Playazo.

COMMUNICATIONS
Almeria is widely connected with the rest of Spain by road, by train, by plane and even by boat.

BY ROAD
Almeria can offer a wide number of highways and roads, in order to move all over the province in a quick and safe way.

Distances from Almeria:

BY BUS
Nowadays, Almeria has a new Estacion Intermodal, a building in which buses and trains are connected.

There are daily services to Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, and mainly important cities of Spain, and also weekday services to all points of the province.

BY TRAIN
Daily services to Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla and Granada.

BY PLANE
Almeria airport is 8 km from the city, on the Almeria-Nijar road. Iberia handles most of the domestic air traffic and there are also many charter companies that operate here.

BY BOAT
There is a Ferry-boat line between Almeria and Melilla and several cities in the north coast of Morocco.

GASTRONOMY
An outstanding iingredient in the cuisine of Almeria is the wonderfully fresh fish. In Garrucha, squid and red mullet are served grilled, while in other towns fresh fish form part of the fish chowders, a true speciality of the region.

HANDICRAFT
Almeria is a very rich place for enjoying the ceramics and pottery of Albox, Nijar, Sorbas and Vera.

Also, jarapas, - rough cloth made with rags and strips of cloth - from Nijar, Berja, Abla.

FISHING
Due to the extensive beaches, fishing, and especially underwater fishing, is a very important sport practiced here. This sport deserves a special mention on the beaches of Monsul, Genoveses, San Jose, La Isleta, San Pedro, Las Negras, famous for their deeps, rich in rock, cod, grey, bream, pollack and local species where the underwater world fishing championships took place.

Fishing offshore and by boat along the coast is also a good possibility.

GOLF
One passion to discover in Almeria! Several golf courses can be enjoyed here. Almerimar and Playa Serena have 18 hole courses which are open all year round. It is possible to hire equipment.

TENNIS
All along the coast of Almeria there are several tennis courts situated in hotel grounds, apartment and tourist developments. It is possible to practice in Polideportivos Municipales.

INTERESTING VILLAGES

Almeria
The capital of the province, with an Arab fortress, and Cathedral which dates from the 17th Century.

Berja (50 km)
This village is the gateway to La Alpujarra Almeriense. Located in a fantastic valley, it is full of vineyards and greenhouses with a great variety of vegetables.

Canjayar; Ohanes; Fondon (75 km)
Picturesque villages of the mountains in the route of La Alpujarra Almeriense.

Cuevas de la Almanzora (100 km)
With a great medieval castle and Arab fortress.

Garrucha (90 km)
Renowned for its beaches and its prawns.

Laujar (75 km)
Over the Andarax Valley, near the River Andarax. Marvellous pinewoods. Great wine.

Mojacar (90 km)
The village preserves its peculiar structure of stepped terraces and charming narrow little streets of white houses in Andalucian style.

Nijar (30 km)
A nice place for craft, ceramic workshops, jarapas.

Vera (100 km)
Big quiet beaches with calm water.

            Sorbas (60 km)
          Impressive cave.