Sunny and mild, the province of Almeria lies southeast of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean Sea.
The province of Almeria is very unspoilt compared with other Spanish Costas, and has a charming mix of resorts like Roquetas de Mar, a lively capital city, Almeria City, and a wonderful natural landscape.
The beautiful Cabo de Gato Natural Park with its rugged coastline, attracts hikers, birders and scuba divers. The pretty seaside town of San Jose is well worth a day trip, with its sandy beach, bohemian boutiques and seafood restaurants. A lighthouse stands at the tip of the Cabo de Gata peninsula, marking the extremity of Andalusia's largest coastal nature reserve, a fascinating landscape of arid desert, volcanic mountains, jagged sea cliffs, sand dunes, wetlands, a lagoon and sandy hidden coves. 
The lively capital city of Almeria boasts picturesque squares, some worthy sights to see, cafes, a ferry port and marina. This ancient Andalusian city lies sheltered at the base of a bay, proudly dominated by the amazing Alcazaba, a huge Moorish citadel with three walled enclosures dating from 995. From the citadel visitors have a good view of the citys most impressive and important Christian monument, the Cathedral, dating from 1524, designed more like a fortress than a church because of the need to defend it from pirate attacks. The Cathedral contains numerous art treasures, including a tabernacle dating from the 18th century, designed by Ventura Rodriguez.
With its interesting medieval architecture, Almerias old town is a delight to stroll through with its tranquil squares, archways and colonnades. The city also has a fascinating archaeological museum and unique cave dwellings in the hillside above the old gypsy quarter.
Inland, Almeria is rather barren and arid, and boasts Europes only desert region around the village of Tabernas, which has been used as the location for several Western movies. Movie buffs will enjoy a visit to this area which has a barren landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland, reminiscent of the American Wild West. Stars such as Clint Eastwood have strutted their stuff here on film sets, which fans will recognise from such great films as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars and The Magnificent Seven. The movie lots have now become theme park tourist attractions. There are three to visit: Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone. All offer a fun day out in Europe's only desert region, with stagecoach rides, live shows, a zoo and the opportunity to quench your thirst in the saloon.
Despite the dry, inhospitable landscape Almeria has developed a thriving agricultural industry and plastic-covered tunnel farms packed with lush fresh produce and flowers are to be seen in abundance.
Further afield all types of outdoor pursuits (including skiing in the Winter) can be enjoyed in the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains, and there is the beautiful Alhambra Palace to visit at Granada.
The region of Almeria bears the archaeological evidence of the many ancient cultures, from the Tartessos and Phoenicians to the Romans and Visigoths, who were drawn here by the natural beauty and useful maritime geographic location. The region retains an Moorish influence from that continent which is just across the Mediterranean Sea.
Go to Roquetas de Mar information
Go to San Juan de los Terreros information