Andalusia, Spain

One of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean

Almeria and is the most easterly of Andalusia's eight provinces. It is located on the south-eastern coast and borders the famous provinces of Granada and Malaga. It is the least know province and but at the same time one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean coast. The name "Almeria" stems from Al-Mariyat: "The Mirror of the Sea", in Arabic.

Having been overlooked as a tourist holiday destination for a long time due to its remoteness and sparse road system, it is now experiencing a boom and is the fastest growing region in Spain following the construction of a network of new safe roads, and the emergence of budget airlines. Learning from the mistakes made during the sixties and seventies by neighbouring Costa's, Almeria has controlled development to achieve a very nice balance between modern tourism and traditional Spanish needs.

Holiday visitors to Almeria will find one of the finest coastlines in Spain. The landscape is one of cliffs, coves and rocky outcrops, beaches that are wonderfully clean with crystal clear waters, humble fishing villages and thriving tourist resorts that are full of Spanish tradition and history. Inland, there's a desert-like landscape of wind-blown sandstone and dry riverbeds that has provided a dramatic backdrop for dozens of so-called 'spaghetti westerns' and the Peter O'Toole classic Lawrence of Arabia.

The Costa de Almeria is sub-tropical Mediterranean with moderate summers, warm winters and clear luminous skies throughout most of the year. Protected by the Sierra de Gador mountain range the area is one of Europe's most productive agricultural zones, renowned for growing fruit, flowers and garden veg. Almeria City boasts of having the most sunlight hours in Europe, some 3,200 in the years, with a mean annual temperature of 18/19 deg C. and winter sea water temperatures that are higher than the outside air, making it inviting for winter swimmers.

To the west of Almeria City are the smart tourist resorts of Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulice, both with splendid beaches which are solid Spanish holiday resorts that are being discovered by UK holiday makers and property buyers. Further west is Almerimar, a purpose built tourist holiday resort that has been developing over the last 25 years with the action revolving around the stylish marina and excellent golf course. Compared to the resorts further north like Mojacar and Vera this area seems quite built up but nothing on the scale of Benidorn and the Costa del Sol.

Mojacar is Almeria's main tourist holiday resort, and undoubtedly the most romantic and picturesque town in south-eastern Spain. The white-washed houses and cobbled streets are sprinkled atop a hill overlooking pristine sandy beaches, washed by the warm Mediterranean. This unspoilt ancient Moorish fortress town has been a favourite with artists and writers for many years, and now attracts holiday-makers who fill up the hotels and villas which have proliferated along the nearby Mojacar and Vera Playas.