AlmeríaMainland Spain · Spain

All About Almería

Almería is the capital and namesake of this arid, desolate province located in southern Spain. Wedged into the southeast corner of the Andalusian coast, Almería served as a strategic port town for countless civilizations. The Mediterranean outpost witnessed the rule of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Catholic Monarchs. As an important trade center, Almería flourished despite its desert landscape. Almería boasts the sunniest and driest weather conditions of Europe, making it an attractive hub for sun-worshippers.

The nearby Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park has some of the finest Andalusian beaches unspoiled by modern infrastructure. Encircled by imposing mountains, volcanic rock formations, and crystal-clear coves, Cabo de Gata beckons beachgoers from around the world. By booking ferry tickets to Almería, you’ll soon be a short drive to dozens of pristine beaches. Ferryscanner makes it easy to find the best routes to access this historic port city and lounge on its sun-kissed shores.
 

Routes and Ferries to Almería

Almería doesn’t have the fame of other Andalusian destinations, but its vibrant port is helping attract more vacationers. For ferry passengers, Almería’s location on the Mediterranean makes it an ideal Spanish port of entry from North African ports. If you want ferry tickets to Almería, then northeast Morocco and Algeria are great places to depart from.

While the sailings from North Africa to Almería are often longer than other Andalusian ports, it’s a convenient link for passengers arriving from Morocco’s Rif region or Algeria’s Oran Province. Several boats, easily bookable via Ferryscanner, connect Almería with Nador and Oran. Alternatively, you can book ferry tickets to Almería from the Spanish Port of Melilla on the northwest coast of Africa. Scheduled ferries by Balearia take around 5 hours to make the journey to Almería from Melilla and roughly 6 hours from Nador. Sailings from Oran to Almería via Trasmediterranea take around 9 hours.

With Ferryscanner, you can browse through timetables of multiple routes that let you find convenient ferry tickets to Almería for you. Whether you’re traveling from Morocco, Algeria, or Spanish Territories, the Port of Almería has several North African connections. High-speed train routes from Madrid, around 6 hours, respectively, transport travelers to and from Almería.
 

Ports of Almería

The bustling Port of Almería serves as the primary ferry terminal for the province of Almería. Near the city center and marina, the port’s location is convenient for passengers arriving from North Africa. The main terminal building stays open 24 hours per day and has nearby restaurants and markets. For departing passengers, roofed parking areas offer protection from the sweltering Almería sun.

Outside of being a gateway to the Cabo de Gata, the Port of Almería is a vital transport link for Moroccans or Algerians working in Europe. If you’re looking for ferry tickets to Almería, Ferryscanner lets you compare prices from different ferry companies operating from North African destinations. Once you arrive at the Port of Almería, connections to other Spanish cities are only minutes away.
 

Best Beaches

The province of Almería hosts some of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in southern Spain. Its otherworldly beauty encompasses volcanic cliffs, dark sands, secluded coves, and aquamarine waters to entice beachgoers. Many of the beautiful stretches of coastline fall inside the boundaries of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The scenery of the nature reserve forms many of the best beaches in Spain within a short drive from Almería.

Playa del Zapillo

Look no further than Playa del Zapillo for a relaxed, accessible beach to soak up the Spanish sun. Playa del Zapillo sits five minutes from town and has all the needed amenities for a lovely beach day. High rises overlook the turquoise waters and sandy shoreline as palm trees sway in the breeze. Against the mountainous backdrop, you can watch ferries and ships sail into the port while resting on lounge chairs. The boardwalk beside the beach has all sorts of tapas bars and chiringuitos for a filling meal.

Playa de Aguadulce

The dark sands and rugged cliffs make Playa de Aguadulce one of the best beach stops in Almería. Just a 15-minute drive from town, it’s an easy day trip for a sunny beach getaway. The calm waters entice swimmers hoping to cool off, and the promenade has plenty of tempting chiringuitos. Grab a bite to eat along the Paseo Marítimo, go on a boating excursion, or check out the nightlife around this popular shoreline.

Playa de las Negras

Playa de las Negras rests inside Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, Andalusia’s largest protected coastal region. Around a 50-minute drive from Almería, it’s among the most accessible beaches to witness the wild landscapes of Cabo de Gata. The white-washed buildings contrast with the black volcanic massif and form a surreal setting against the dark sands. Large stones washed on the beach, and black-stone cliffs ringed around the shoreline speak to the raw beauty of Las Negras. Fishing boats docked offshore symbolize the historic traditions of the fishermen community still active here.

Cala de Enmedio

Just north of Las Negras, you’ll come across one of the prettiest beaches in Europe. Cala de Enmedio draws beachgoers with its chalky-white cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and secluded nature. The 150-meter strip of silky-smooth sand is only accessible by foot or boat, so you get an idea of its isolation. It’s a tricky hike to Cala de Enmedio, but the reward of limestone cliffs capped by sparkling waters is worth the effort. Given the solitude of mass beachgoers, Cala de Enmedio attracts many scuba divers to its shores.

Playa de las Salinas

At over 5 km, Playa de las Salinas gives beachgoers plenty of space for a peaceful beach day. The long shoreline sits around 40 minutes from Almería and is the largest beach of Cabo de Gata. Fertile wetlands between the beach and mountainous backdrop nurture a healthy population of migratory birds. While you find many amenities on the beach, public transport is available to the nearby villages. Just beyond the shoreline, Iglesia Cabo De Gata forms a picturesque landmark overlooking the sea.
 

Places to Visit

Almería oozes history, and the Andalusian city has several fascinating landmarks from different historical eras. The sun-drenched settlement’s location on the southeast edge of the Iberian Peninsula placed it as a crossroads amongst empires and violent conflicts. Its story permeates through its preserved structures dating from antiquity and the Middle Ages to the Spanish Civil War. And with the semi-arid Tabernas Desert on its outskirts, Almería sometimes feels like a wild west movie set.

Alcazaba de Almería

The hilltop fortress Alcazaba de Almería guarded the strategic city against invasions for centuries. Constructed in the 10th century by the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman III, the citadel is a prime example of the Iberian Peninsula’s Islamic history. Almería’s critical position on the Mediterranean Sea made the area a vital trade link for seafaring merchants. If the well-intact fortification looks familiar, you likely recognize it from popular films such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as well as Wonder Woman 1984.

Almería Cathedral

Built in the 16th century, the impressive Almería Cathedral blends several European architectural styles. Originally constructed in gothic style with a Renaissance façade, baroque and neo-classical fixtures were later added to the defensive structure. The place of worship resembles a stronghold due to the fierce attacks on the Spanish Mediterranean coast from North African Barbary pirates. Inside, the cathedral fortress features an elaborate altarpiece and an exquisite neoclassic cloister.

Refugios de la Guerra Civil Española de Almería

Delve into the chaotic Spanish Civil War of the 20^th century and learn how Almería residents faced constant bomb threats. Tours guide you through the network of underground tunnels and bomb shelters to give you a glimpse of the period’s instability. History buffs will gain a briefing of the Spanish Civil War, and the Bombardment of Almería carried out by Nazi Germany in 1937.
 

Transportation Around Almería

If you don’t have many bags, it’s a manageable walk from the port to the city center. You’re only about 30-35 minutes by foot from some of Almería’s top attractions, such as the Almería Cathedral. Taxi services can transport you to Almería within 10 minutes if you have too much luggage. To get around the city, you can get around using local bus routes or ridesharing services like BlaBlaCar.

However, if you want the most flexibility to explore scenic areas like the Tabernas Desert and Cabo de Gata, renting a car is your best option. You’ll find several international and local car rental agencies in Almería that offer competitive rates and include insurance.

For onward travel to other Spanish cities, the Almería railway station and primary bus station are around 4 km from the port. You’ll find daily routes to popular Spanish destinations like Málaga, Madrid, and Valencia. Just 9 km outside of Almería city center, Almería Airport provides service to destinations across Europe.