Almeria

Almeria, Spain

Ringed by mountains and crowned by a spectacular fortress, Spain’s sunniest city mixes shopping centres and tapas bars with a medieval old town of narrow streets and tranquil squares. Along the coast you can find fishing villages, popular resorts and the secluded beaches and wild landscape of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.

Population:

196,851

Currency:

Euro, €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112
Police: 091
Fire Brigade: 080

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open Mon-Sat 9/10am - 1.30/2pm and 5pm - 8pm. Supermarkets and shopping centres stay open all day from 9am - 9pm or later.

Banking hours are usually Mon - Fri 9am - 2pm and Sat 9am - 1pm.

Newspapers:

La Voz de Almería
Sur in English

Main national dailies in Spain:
El País
ABC
El Mundo

The City

The Arabs named Almería Al-Mariyya, which means 'mirror of the sea'. There is an Eastern feel to this sun-bleached city with its Moorish-style houses and signature Alcazaba fortress. The links to the North of Africa remain strong with frequent ferries going to Morocco and Algeria. In the Plaza Vieja, the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) preserves the banner presented by the Catholic Monarchs when they banished the Moors in 1489.

Do & See

A stroll from the traditional heart of the city is rewarding. Try walking from Puerta de Purchena through the labyrinthine streets of the historic quarter to the busy port via colonnaded squares and the fortified Cathedral. Make sure you take time for a coffee or copa (glass of wine) along the way, and do not miss the lively Mercado (food market) just off the Rambla.

Dining

Fish, fried, grilled and casseroled, grilled meats and spicy Arab-influenced dishes feature the menus in Almería. Try 'sopa de Almería' (shellfish soup), embutidos (cured meats), gachas (spicy clam stew) and patatas a lo pobre (sautéed potatoes with green peppers).

At night, head for the Puerta de Purchena, where everyone seems to be. The surrounding narrow streets are packed with popular restaurants and busy bars.

Cafes

The city is famous for its excellent tapas bars, serving an array of imaginative and tasty snacks. Look for lunch in the old town and around the cathedral, or join market shoppers at eateries around the Mercado.