Things to do in

Almeria

Enjoy a 4WD adventure in Europe’s only desert landscape on this 2-hour scenic drive through the Tabernas Desert, situated between the Sierra de los Filabres and the Sierra de Alhamilla. Boasting over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, an annual rainfall of a mere 200 millimeters, and temperatures ranging from 23° F to 118° F (-5°C to 48°C), the gray tones of the desert’s gullies, ravines and other geological formations turn golden when the sun rests on them at sunset. Essential to the history of cinema in Almeria, Tabernas Desert served as a location for hundreds of movies, including “Lawrence of Arabia.” Dozens of spaghetti westerns, such as “A Fistful of Dollars, “For a Few Dollars More,” and “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” gave rise to an era of rampant shooting. Adventure stories war films, and science fiction films have all made use of the landscape, including “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and “Conan the Barbarian.” Marvel at the desert’s similarity to the American badlands,and the deserts of north Africa and Arabia. En route, you will learn about the geological formation of this extraordinary place, including the flora and fauna that somehow manage to survive there.

Get to know the refuges of the Spanish Civil War in Almería. Some 4.5-kilometer underground galleries were built to shelter about 40,000 people during bombings. With this visit you will be able to see nearly 1 kilometer of galleries with a guide telling anecdotes about their hidden histories. Admire a small hospital with an operating room, as well as one of the private rooms where, if you look at the walls, you will see works art that children left behind. Descend 9 meters underground, or, if you are brave, a full 16 meters, and discover an old and fascinating pantry. A unique, unmissable experience.

Start your coastal cruise in the traditional fishing port of Carboneras. Sail to la Cala del Corral and las Salinicas. Admire the crystal-clear waters and volcanic cliffs of Playa de los Muertos.  Then, navigate the Cabo de Mesa Roldan. See its fossilized coral reef and the Mesa Roldán Lighthouse. Continue on to Cala Puente, Cala Sorbas, and Cala Castillo until you arrive at the small fishing town of Agua Amarga. Marvel at the best views of this small town from the sea. Drop anchor at the secluded Cala de Enmedio. Swim and snorkel in its clear waters before heading back to the port of Carboneras.

Discover Cabo de Gata Natural Park on a romantic sailing trip from Carborneras. Sail past fascinating rock formations through stunning blue waters, and marvel at the setting sun from a comfortable sailboat. Board your boat about an hour before sunset from the Carboneras Marina. Relax on the leather seats as you sail past spectacular scenery from the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. After an hour of sailing, drop anchor and enjoy a delicious glass of Cava with your friends as you watch the sunset over the clear waters. As you return to the marina, enjoy the sailboat's amenities, including a bimini top, solarium, and stereo.

Get to know the magnificent Cabo de Gata and Níjar Natural Park from the sea. Explore the coastline by kayak before snorkeling in the clear waters an observing the underwater landscape. Before embarking, learn basic paddling and kayaking techniques and listen to safety instructions. Venture out down the coast, spotting a number of coves and rock formation that are inaccessible by land and only visible from the sea. Navigate in and out of rocky caves. Get up close to sheer volcanic cliffs. Learn about the wildlife and geology of the natural park, one of most protected areas in Spain due to ecological, historical, anthropological, and geological significance.  Stop in a hidden cove in the marine reserve to go swimming before paddling back to the beach where you started.

After gathering with your guide at the meeting point, your guide will delve straight into telling you many things about this great monument. From your meeting point you will walk to the entrance of the Alcazaba where you can enjoy its 3 enclosures. The first thing you will go through will be the Justice Gate, since it was the gateway to the fortress and is a replica of the Justice Gate of the Alhambra in Granada. You will cross the large gardens of the first enclosure, which is the largest of the three and has also followed the design of the Generalife de la Alhambra Gardens. From there you will observe the Cerro de San Cristóbal, as well as the remains of the Jayrán Wall, which is the wall that surrounded the city of Al-Mariyat. You will then access the second enclosure through the Wall of the Candle to see the Quibla Wall, until you reach the area of the residence of the kings. You will then see the Aljibe and San Juan church, a church rebuilt by the Catholic Monarchs during the reconquest, as well as the pool and gardens that decorate this large enclosure. Finally you will visit the third enclosure, the highest part of the monumental complex, which is the most recent of them all. In addition, you will visit the areas where the famous Game of Thrones series has been recorded. Towards the end of your tour, your guide will show you to the area where you can observe the sea port of the city and will take photos, and following your experience you will have free time to enjoy the monument.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of one of Spain's largest Alcazabas on this guided tour. In the company of an expert guide, discover the fortress' 3 internal enclosures and learn more about its history as an Arab stronghold. During your tour, visit the Towers of the Odalisque and the Gunpowder, the Tower of Mirrors, the Wall of the Candle, the Muslim reservoirs and royal baths, and the domestic dwellings. You will also have the opportunity to admire the fantastic patios and gardens with their luxurious water pools, as well as the walls of Jairán and the Cerro de San Cristóbal. Finally, admire panoramic views of the city and the seaport from the Baluarte del Saliente.

Walk, climb and crawl the galleries of the plaster cave of Sorbas and admire the reflection of crystals when they receive the light from your helmet. Marvel the effect water erosion and the passage of time have had on the plaster rock. Explore the Yeso Cave with a specialized guide. The Barranco del Infierno Cave, as it is also known, was formed thousands of years ago and was the first cave complex to be discovered. See first-hand the effect of water on the shaping of rocks. The underground karst system of Sorbas collects rain and floodwater and drains it through the galleries.

At nightfall, walk through the historical center of Almeria. Discover the unique legends, mysteries and charming love stories that are hidden in the palaces, squares and monuments of the city. Exploring Almeria by night offers a different way to discover the city. Your professional will tell you about the history and characters of Almeria as you walk through the narrow streets. Recommended for all those people who want to learn something new, have fun and soak up the local atmosphere of this quaint city on Spain’s southern coast.

Take this full-day excursion from Roquetas de Mar to explore the most visited site in Spain, the exquisite Alhambra in Granada. Start the morning with a drive through the Sierra Nevada, between the rivers Darro and Genil. Passing through the desert of Tabernas, you'll reach the golden, · cobblestoned city of Granada where you will get some free time to explore it on your own pace. Attractions you will see include the Nasrid Palaces & the Generalife Gardens.  Move on to the monumental Alhambra and get skip-the-line entry to explore the vast complex, constructed during the mid-14th century by the Berber rulers of the Emirate of Granada in al-Andalus. You will also see the Renaissance palace built by Emperor Charles V inside the Arab stronghold. One of Spain’s most magnificent examples of Moorish architecture, the Alhambra delights with its harmonious blend of Islamic architecture and dreamy gardens. Take a pause for lunch before driving back along the Mediterranean coast, skirting the Sierra Nevada National Park to Roquetas de Mar on the sunny Mediterranean Coast.