Costa Almeria holidays

Beaches are another huge draw here. Within Cabo de Gata-Nijar and beyond, Costa Almeria has ample sand for sunbathing and strikingly clear waters for swimming. Mojacar has some glorious soft sandy stretches with parasols and sun-loungers for hire, and a string of little secluded coves spreading from east to west from San Juan De Los Terreros, the easternmost village in Andalusia.

Walking and hiking in Costa Almeria are excellent ways to see the region’s unique landscapes. Trails crisscross the Cabo de Gata-Nijar natural park, as well as the Sierra Alhamilla mountain range and Tabernas Desert inland. The region’s topography is so unusual it has provided the backdrop for a number of blockbuster movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, and Cleopatra.

The busiest time in Costa Almeria is in the months of June, July and August when locals and foreigners flock to the region's beaches for a summer break. It’s hot, frequently soaring above 30C, and you’re likely to pay a premium on accommodation and flights.

Shoulder seasons in Costa Almeria

Spring (March through May) and autumn (September through November) are the best for visiting southern Spain, as there are fewer crowds and the temperatures are more bearable. This is also the best time to book cheap holidays to Costa Almeria, as prices are generally lower.

If you’re flying to the region, you’re likely to arrive at Almeria Airport, just a few miles east of the region’s capital city or the same name. Founded in 955 AD, the highlight in Almeria city is the Alcazaba Fortress, an impressive, imposing structure that has presided over the city since the 10th century. Inside you’ll find gardens and ponds, palaces of former kings and Catholic architecture – a sign of the long battle between the Christians and Muslims that ravaged Spain for centuries.

Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Nijar

This vast natural park has miles of glittering coastline, packed full of beaches and tiny coves to explore. Hike along the park’s many trails, exploring its otherworldly landscapes and ancient geology, or hire kayaks to see the rugged coastline in a totally different way. Keep an eye out for interesting wildlife, too, as greater flamingos are often seen congregating on the park’s salt flats, and red-rumped swallows, trumpeter finches and even cormorants can be seen in the skies.

San Jose beach

San Jose is the largest urban sprawl within Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Nijar, and its beach is a brilliant option for sunbathing and watersports. A far cry from the busy beaches of the Costa del Sol, its 850m (2790ft) of fine sand is perfect for those who want to relax (arrive early to get the best spots). For lunch, head into the town to sample locally caught John Dory or red mullet, then hit the water on a rented kayak or with a snorkel.

Tabernas Desert

As one of the hottest, driest places in Spain, it’s unsurprising that Almeria is home to one of the country’s biggest deserts. The Tabernas Desert can see temperatures as high as 48C. As a result, its arid landscapes shaped by the harsh environment are almost devoid of life.

Despite this, it’s well worth exploring; mostly for its Hollywood credentials. Many films, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Cleopatra, were shot here. MiniHollywood, a few miles south of Tabernas municipality, is a film-set-slash-theme-park where you can see old sets from classic Spaghetti Westerns.

Las Salinas Beach

Another stretch of sand located within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar nature park, this 1.5km (one mile) beach is a world away from the busy, well-known resorts in southern Spain. There are no facilities here, so bring a picnic and plenty of water.

The draw here is for bird watchers, as you’ll spot herons, stalks, waders and cranes, as well as the rare Dupont's Lark in the surrounding ornithological reserve.

A fantastic base for families, Roquetas de Mar is just 20km (12 miles) from Almeria city. Easy to get to from the area’s main airport and large enough to offer a variety of accommodation options, it’s also not short on fun things to do with kids.

The Aquarium Roquetas de Mar will introduce the children to fascinating species such as sting rays and tiger sharks, and the town’s beaches – most notably Serena and La Bajadilla – are a great day out. Also don’t miss getting a history lesson at Santa Ana Castle.

For travellers on a budget

Cheap Costa holidays to Almeria can be hard to come by in the height of summer, but thanks to this region’s comparatively low visitor numbers, prices are pretty reasonable for the rest of the year, and some hotels and B&Bs even slash prices in half at the end of the summer.

For a cheap holiday in Costa Almeria, head to the smaller resort towns like the village of Mojacar, Vera or San Jose, where youth hotels and smaller B&Bs and guesthouses are plentiful.

For food and drink

Food and drink served across Costa Almeria revolves very much around seafood. Expect to find everything from deep-fried flounder to fresh lobster, as the Mediterranean is this province’s star producer.

For the best foodie experiences, head to fishing villages such as Garrucha, Adra or Las Negras, where freshly caught fish is served up alongside white wines produced in the Alpujarras mountains or the Tabernas Desert.

In Almeria city, you’ll get the most variety of foods as hundreds of restaurants and tapas bars serve up meat, fish and vegetable dishes to a multicultural crowd.

For nightlife

The provincial capital, Almeria city, is the centre of the party scene here. Catering to an international crowd, there’s a variety of late-night fun to be had, from laidback cafes to karaoke bars and rowdy Irish pubs.

Roquetas de Mar is another good place to party – some of the quiet daytime cafes and restaurants become bouncing bars and clubs by night. For a night on the sand, there are beach bars aplenty, so settle in with a cocktail to watch the sun go down before you dance the night away.

For culture

To really understand the history and culture in Costa Almeria, you need to explore its Arab roots. Almeria itself has some fascinating sights and museums well worth visiting, so spend a night or two there before heading out to the Moorish town of Mojacar. With pretty, white-washed houses and a spectacular Alhambra (a Moorish palace), it has history and culture in spades. The town also has some beautiful beaches with warm turquoise waters lapping its shores.