Almería is a port city and the capital of the province of Almería. It is known as the resort center of the Costa de la Luz, part of Mediterranean Spain because of the year-round mild, warm climate which makes it ideal for swimming. It became popular with Italian filmmakers around 1960 when the nearby mountains seemed the ideal place to film scenes for the so-called Spaghetti Westerns. Almería benefited greatly from this discovery with the construction of several tourist class hotels and an improved airport.

The Alcazaba

Almería has a Moroccan rather than European appearance because of the Moorish architecture of many of the old buildings and also because of the brightness of the place, with its white buildings reflecting the bright sunshine. One place that you should visit is the Moorish Alcazaba or fortress, which now houses the Bishop's

Palace and a seminary. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, it is a good example of Moorish military construction and still retains many of its original features.

Almería Caves

You should not miss exploring the many caves in Almería, some with ancient paintings on their walls. The Sorbas caves are one of the most popular with tourists and you can take one of the guided tours. There are also many interesting traces of the many people who either passed through this part of Spain like the Gypsies or who conquered it and stayed for generations like the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs.

Cuisine

Another of the great features of Almería is its cuisine. It has a flourishing agricultural sector that produces oranges, white grapes, almonds and the best olive oil in Spain, while the nearby Mediterranean provides fresh fish in abundance. This happy combination makes for great meals in the many restaurants in Almería.

Local Artisans

You should not miss the opportunity to acquire some wonderful artifacts produced by the local artisans. All are produced in small shops and the visitor will get the opportunity to see how a beautiful piece of pottery is created from scratch by the ingenious hands of the master craftsmen. You can also buy some of the fruits such as the local white grapes and almonds and enjoy their freshness and taste.

The Port

The port of Almería is home to a ferry terminal and sports marina as well as being quite busy from August to December with the export of oranges and grapes. It houses many tour operators who can take you sightseeing along the Costa de la Luz. You can also take a day trip to North Africa from this port and enjoy the culture of Spain's neighbors on the nearby continent.