Retamar lies very close to the airport, fifteen kilometres east of Almeria on the Costa Almeria. It is large and busy resort popular with Spanish holidaymakers and weekenders from the city. Retamar is at the beginning of a fifteen kilometre stretch of beach that reaches to the National Park area of Cabo de Gata. Much of Retamar was built for the Mediterranean games in 2007 so the accommodation has all modern conveniences. There are shops for essentials and a variety of restaurants. Evenings can be fairly lively with several bars and a nightclub. A Retamar holiday offers a guarantee of summer sun, coarse sandy beaches and a variety of recreational facilities both in and out of the water.
Retamar is a good seaside base from which to explore the city of Almeria and the surrounding area. It offers a lively holiday with a range of leisure pursuits and entertainment.
Retamar appeals to a wide variety of people. Families with children enjoy the beaches and young people will find lively bars to keep them entertained. Golfers have a choice of courses.
Although Retamar is a year round holiday destination, 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.
Retamar is a modern resort close to Almeria and benefits from a very short transfer time from the airport. The resort is divided into north and south section. In the former, the accommodation comprises mainly of villas with pools and is a more residential area, while the latter has mainly apartments and some hotels. The accommodation is very modern and maintains a high standard. The resort has been well planned with large grassy areas and swimming pools. It does however lack the traditional atmosphere that is often found in old fishing villages.
The beach of coarse sand is washed by the warm clear waters of the Mediterranean and offers a range of water sports. Children and less confident swimmers must take care on this wide, open bay as the waves can at times be heavy. There are a number of beach bars supplying holidaymakers with daylong refreshments.
There are a choice of courses for golfers. Remember to bring your handicap certificate as this is sometimes a course requirement.
There is much to see and do in the area around Retamar so in order to make the most of your holiday car hire is recommended
Retamar nightlife is fairly lively especially at the weekends when there is an influx of Spanish singles from Almeria. The nightclub often hosts stag nights. There are venues where you can enjoy a peaceful evening eating and drinking under the stars. The larger hotels often provide in-house entertainment with live shows.
Retamar shopping is fairly limited, providing essential provisions a swell as gifts and souvenirs. Those looking for a greater variety of goods can take the bus to Almeria where there are many designer and specialist shops. The market in Plaza Vieja will delight visitors with its variety of goods. The nearby village of Nijar with its pottery workshops and its rugs and bedspreads made from rags is certainly worth a visit.
Retamar restaurants serve a diverse cuisine. As expected, fish dishes abound with fishermen landing their catch daily. A good way to sample Spanish food is to order a plate of tapas which consists of a medley of bite-sized dishes. Tapas are also ideal for filling the sometimes long gap between lunch and dinner, which is served later in Spain than at home.
Children are always made very welcome in Spanish restaurants and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated.
Local wines are pleasant and inexpensive.
