Tourist attractions in Costa de Almeria
Spain is the world’s second most visited country after France, and its attractions are matchless in terms of beauty and diversity. Costa de Almeria is deviated quite a bit from its European contemporaries as arid desert landscapes are not something you would come to expect in a European province. Coste de Almeria is regarded by many as one of Spain’s most serene and secluded spots. The city wars the look of a market town rather than a regional capital, but it is definitely worth a morning of exploration. Inland from the city lays the only desert in Europe, the Tabernas. It has been used as a movie location in countless “spaghetti” westerns. In the 60’s, it served as a cheap backdrop for producers who were low on funds. The movies filmed include ‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly’, ‘The Magnificent Seven’ and ‘A Fistful of Dollars’. The old sets have been preserved as tourist attractions and make for a good visit. Cinema isn’t the only attraction here; the place houses the largest solar energy installation in Europe. Also in the vicinity is the Sierra de Alhamilla Natural Beauty Spot, a place of splendid scenic beauty, the place has a history dating back to the prehistoric times and the remnants of Neolithic settlements can still be seen. It surely is a must visit for ecological enthusiasts.
Alcazaba Fortress
The village hasn’t really got anything to get fascinated about; a decrepit Moorish fortress, a splendid Inglesia de La Encarnacion and a massive town hall are the saving grace. Almeris is also home to the Alcazaba, the second largest Muslim structure in the world constructed by the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd- er Rahman. It is situated atop a hill near the city and their towering wall dominates the city landscape and renders some splendid views. At its center is the Segundo Recinto; to the east is the Ernita de San Juan chapel, which was a mosque that was converted by the Catholic Kings. To the north west of the Alcazaba lies a fortress, Tercer Recinto. This was actually added by the Catholic Kings and is not part of the original structure. The towers and the walls of this fortress are sturdier and are in a much better shape compared to the Alcazaba.
Grand Old Cathedral
Another popular tourist spot in the city is the Cathedral, located in the heart of the old city. It features a stunning architectural blend of Gothic and Renaissance, replete with a north façade designed by the famed Juan de Orea. The cathedral was designed to double up as a fortress in order to evade attacks from pirates from North Africa. The other places of interest include the ruins of the 11th century Nazari Castle, the Sanctuary of Virgen de las Angustias. Coste de Almeria celebrates four major festivals, St.Sebastin on the 20th January, Night of the Donkeys on Easter Sunday, San Isidreo on the 15th of May and Virgen de las Angustias from 11-15th of May.