The city of Almeria lies at the foot of the Sierra de Gador mountains, on the shores of Almeria Bay. against a backdrop of rugged sun baked desert scenery.
It is one of the few cities in Europe that boasts fantastic beaches within walking distance of the city centre, and more than 3000 sunshine hours a year.
With a population of around 180,000, the city centre still feels small enough to be able to explore on foot, with hundreds of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Local tapas (small snacks served with beverages) are a definite must. And of course, the restaurants are famed for exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, featuring the best of fish, seafood, locally produced salad vegetables and excellent olive oil.
Streetlife
Modern Almería is divided east-west by the beautiful 'Rambla de Belen', a gracious wide boulevard with mature trees either side where you can take a gentle stroll, enjoying the parks and fountains as you go. West of the Rambla is the Paseo de Almeria, the traditional thoroughfare and centre for businesses and shops, which use the Almería marble liberally on their facades.
There are few department stores in the city centre, yet one of Almeria's oldest streets, Calle de las Tiendas, is full of small, fashionable shops, running into the maze that is the old town. Almeria’s old town is a delight to stroll through with its narrow streets and parks.
Urban parks provide shady walkways along the main thoroughfares, and in fact, our Buddhist Centre faces onto one of these: the Nicolás Salmerón park that follows the waterfront from the city centre to the port.
City Beaches and Coast
Almería is one of the few cities in Europe that boasts fantastic beaches within walking distance of the city centre, and more than 3000 sunshine hours a year.
The City also has a ferry terminal, a marina and a working fishing port. The Port is visited by cruise liners from all over the world
Gastronomy and Cafe Life
The Spanish live outdoors, which makes for a lively and fascinating streetlife at any hour of the day or night. From genteel teashops to lively cafes and bars, there are hundreds of bars and restaurants to choose from. Local tapas (small snacks served with beverages) are a definite must. And of course, the restaurants are famed for exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, featuring the best of fish, seafood, locally produced salad vegetables and internationally acclaimed olive oil.
History
Almería’s historic centre traces the lines of the old Moorish city and its historic buildings includes the Moorish Alcazaba (castle), which is well worth a visit.
The name "Almería" stems from Al-Mariyat: "The Mirror of the Sea", in Arabic. The City was founded by Ab dal Rahmam III of Cordoba in 955, as the eastern harbour to strengthen his Mediterranean defences of his extensive domain. Its castle, the Alcazaba, which overlooks the City was the largest Moorish fortresses in Andalusia and in times of war, it could hold an army of more than 20,000 men.
Almeria city suffered crippling earthquake in 1487 and 1522 which means that there is very little that survives from the early city other than the impressive Alcazaba fortress, the remains of a prayer niche from the former Mezquita, and the former Arab baths (really an underground water reservoir).
However, the street plan of the historic centre is preserved as well as the numerous gateways to the city, so that a walk through the old centre is still evocative of the city’s Moorish past.
The Moors themselves were driven out of Andalusia and Spain in the “Reconquest” by Ferdinand and Isabella that was completed in 1492.
Alcazaba Castle
This building has three huge walled enclosures, The oldest and highest is the Moorish fortress, which was built in 955 on top of a hill to get a good view of the horizon so that the city could be well defended against pirates and invaders. The outer enclosures were later Christian additions and now include beautiful restored gardens.
The Cathedral was designed more like a fortress than a church, with fortified towers and cannons, because of the need to defend it from pirate attack. The city also has a fascinating and brand new archaeological museum and unique cave houses built into the hillside above the old gypsy quarter.
