Almeria - A Holiday Destination Steeped in History

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. October 14, 2008

AUGUST 27, 2008. Andaluc'ia has long been a top choice for holiday-goers seeking to explore a vibrant Spanish region, with Malaga, Seville and Granada proving to be popular cities. In recent years, however, more and more people have begun to explore the historical city of Almeria as a more laid-back, cultural holiday experience.

Almeria is the easternmost provincial capital of Andaluc'ia and sits at the foot of a mountain range topped by the 'Alcazaba' - a magnificent Arab fortress consisting of three huge walled enclosures. This stands as a reminder of the days when Almeria was a busy trading port, trading in silk woven from the silkworms of the 'Alpujarras'. There are many examples of beautiful architecture to be discovered, a particular highlight being the old fortified cathedral which combines the gothic and renaissance styles. The cathedral itself is a reminder of the rich history of Almeria. Originally a Muslim city, the Catholic monarchs took over in 1489 and soon expelled the non-Catholic people. The cathedral began to be built in 1524 as a replacement for the old cathedral which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. The striking resemblance the cathedral bears to a fortress is due to the frequent raids that were once made by North African pirates.

The city also houses many museums containing art and artifacts from its long and colourful history. For those seeking a bit of culture, it's well worth exploring these museums whilst wandering the winding streets of Almeria. And, when you want a bit of a break from art and history, there's plenty on offer in the way of food. Specialties of the city include a stew with pasta known as 'Gurullos', 'Escabeche e Sardines', fresh sardines in hot sauce, and 'Trigo', a stew containing pork, beans, herbs, and grains of wheat. You can enjoy a day spent exploring the meandering streets of the old city and work up a healthy appetite before choosing your restaurant and discovering just why the region is known for its great food.

If you fancy a mixture of culture and relaxation, try exploring the rest of the Almeria province for nearby resorts that offer good beaches for sunbathing and water sports. Roquetas de Mar is particularly popular in this respect, and is only 5 km from the salt marsh at Las Marinas which is great for bird watchers, with sightings of flamingos, little egrets and avocets.

Whether you decide to choose it as the focus of your holiday, or to make it one of many visits whilst exploring the fantastic region of Andaluc'ia, Almeria is certainly a destination worthy of exploring. Check out sites like www.andalucia.com for information on restaurants, hotels and things to do in the city, and also for quick access to information about the surrounding area and other places to visit in the region. Cheap flights to Almeria are available from companies like Fly Monarch and Jet2, so there are less and less reasons to stop you from taking the holiday you've been dreaming of.

Prices and products are correct at the time of writing (24.08.08) and may be changed at the discretion of the provider.