Archive for June, 2010

Located on the Mediterranean Sea in southeastern Spain is Almeria, which is also the capital of the province of Almeria.

The name has its roots in Arabic which means the mirror hence “The mirror of the sea”.

From it’s founding by the Phoenicians to its subsequent occupation by the Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and Christians, Almeria shows its rich history in every corner of the city.

One look at Alcazaba, the Moor fortress overlooking the town from atop a hill speaks volumes about Almeria’s rich cultural heritage. The fortress was started in the 13th century but was ravaged by an earthquake in 1522. Built with a triple wall containing large gardens and quarters, the fortress is typical of the Muslim age architecture.

Also within lie the ruins of a mosque which was later converted into a cathedral once Almeria was taken by the Catholic Kings.

The city’s old quarter has a 16th century Cathedral with its six gothic towers, originally built as a fortress to withstand pirate attacks. It contains artworks of great value.

Almeria has troglodyte villages with houses carved out of soft rock, buried in the hillside.

Almeria has three museums which outline the history of the region from the earliest times to date with exhibits from the Iberian to the Roman age.

Thirteen kilometers west from Almeria along the coast is the tourist center of Aguadulce. It has many hotels, a Yacht harbor, and lots of water sports. A little further is the fishing village of Roquetas de Mar which is also a popular resort with a busy harbor and a golf course.

East of Almeria is the resort of Mojacar, with busy beaches in summer surrounded by a hilltop.

Almeria has a desert town with Wild West theme parks where movies like Fistful of dollars, Good the bad and the ugly, and some scenes from Lawrence of Arabia were shot.

Almeria has a laid back night life and may not appeal to someone wanting action, but with its many tapas bars and restaurants offering regional cuisine, Almeria can be a culinary experience.
* The Almeria Airport.

Almeria Airport is located 9kms east of the city, and is a modern airport with a terrace overlooking the runway.

The airport has ATMs, four travel agencies. There are a number of cafes, eateries and snack bars serving tapas cuisine.

Gift shops, news stand and a range of shops provide the visitor adequately to meet their needs.

* Book your Almeria rental car with us to receive a reliable vehicle from a reputable car rental company without any hassle and for a great price. Real peace of mind knows your booking is confirmed instantly and you are guaranteed to receive the car of your choice.