The Costa Almeria in Andalusia on the southern coast of Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations. Having the most hours of sunshine, the least rainfall and with two hundred miles of varied unspoilt coastline which offers a wide selection of activities and pastimes it is not surprising that Almeria has hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Within the Costa Almeria there are a large number of resorts both modern and traditional with wide ranging facilities to cover most tastes. Andalucia is a haven for bird watchers lying as it does under the Afro-European migration routes. The beaches, from long stretches of golden sand to tiny coves favoured by naturists, are all beautifully clean and lead into the warm Mediterranean Sea where water sports abound. The nightlife is less frenetic than in other coastal regions although bars and clubs can be found in the larger resorts.
Costa Almeria has widespread appeal from families with small children to senior citizens, from bird watchers to naturists and from water sport enthusiasts to sun worshippers.
Although the Costa Almeria is a year round holiday venue, the summer months are the most popular time to go, with guaranteed sunshine and warm seas. Many visitors however, enjoy escaping from the dark dreary days of a typical British winter to the welcoming coast of southern Spain.
Costa Almeria is an almost totally unspoilt area of Spain. There you will find beaches with white, fine grained sand and safe bathing, secluded coves sheltered by cliffs, lively fishing harbours and marinas, rugged desolate areas, salt lagoons and nature reserves. The capital Almeria has some exciting architecture including the Cathedral with its gothic interior and the vast moorish Citadel of Alcazaba which dominates the town. The fishing harbour at Villaricas has, as a magnificent backdrop, the sierra Almagrera mountain. This lively resort has many excellent fish restaurants. There are some spectacular caves close by.
Children and adults alike will enjoy the exhilaration of the water park at Vera. The Blue Flag Beach at Aguadulce with its palm lined promenade is very popular with families with its white sandy beach and gentle waves. San Jose lies in a shallow bay and possesses the finest of beaches and is the perfect holiday destination for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday. The tapas bars and cafe's in the sandy streets demand a slower pace of life.
Although there are a wide variety of hotels, apartments and villas, there is a noticeable lack of high rise apartment blocks in Costa Almeria.
Certain beaches are popular with nudists such as Cerrillos beach at Roquetas de Mar which is a peaceful area not suited to young children because of the heavy seas.
The salt lagoons at Las Marinas are a good vantage points from which to watch the flamingos and other species of water birds.
Tabernas, sixteen miles from Almeria city is the village where many of the famous westerns were made because the landscape resembles the old wild west. The film lots have been developed into small theme parks and a children's zoo.
The Costa Almeria is host to many music, dance and festivals particularly through the summer months. Flamenco dancing is especially popular as it is the traditional dance of the gypsies of Andalusia. Bull fighting remains part of Spanish culture although the spectacle is no longer so popular among tourists. There are bullrings in Almeria and Tabernas.
The nightlife in the Costa Almeria is understated. With many wonderful restaurants serving a wide variety of traditional Spanish fare as well as international cuisine it has all the ingredients for the perfect end to the day. For those of a more lively nature there are pubs and bars.
Costa Almeria has the usual array of gift and souvenir shops on the sea front sufficient for most needs.
Markets are popular and sell amongst others the traditional baskets, pottery, ceramics and rugs. For more serious shopping Almeria town is only a short distance away.
As expected fish dishes abound in the Costa Almeria with small fried fish and shellfish being firm favourites .There are tapas bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets.
Spain is a Roman Catholic country and many of its festivals are connected with the church. Patron saint days are particularly important. When visiting churches in rural areas shoulders and legs should be covered, so as not to give offence.
Service charge is usually included in hotels and restaurants but an additional tip is also expected.
Like the majority of holiday destinations in and around Spain, the best time to look for a cheap Costa Almeria holiday is outside of the peak tourism season. Looking for a holiday towards the winter months will give you a great chance of finding a good deal, and looking in early May or late October could find you a good discount holiday too.
Costa Almeria is an ideal location for anyone looking to have a relaxing holiday. Whether it's a young family looking to enjoy the beautiful beaches and warm ocean, elderly people looking for relaxation in the peaceful resorts, or bird watchers looking out for the various species making their way across the Afro-European migration routes.
It is certainly a destination aimed at relaxation and family enjoyment with a quieter and more peaceful theme. That doesn't mean to say the night life isn't very active, but looking for busier nightclubs it might take a bit of searching for, especially in the winter months where the tourism has died down considerably.
Costa Almeria is a great place to visit if you're looking to escape the cold, wet British winter and enjoy some sunshine and warm weather in a peaceful and relaxing environment.
There are plenty of activities to see and do, many of which run throughout the year, so if you're looking for some winter sun, a cheap Costa Almeria holiday might be the one for you.
