Almería

City · Andalusia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Almería is a port city on the Mediterranean coast of southeast Spain. It is one of the sunniest and driest cities in Europe, with a huge Moorish fortress above the old town.

The city is quiet and lived-in rather than touristy, and it has free tapas in many bars. It suits one day of sights, and it is the gateway to the desert landscapes and the beaches of the Cabo de Gata.

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When to visit

Winter, spring and autumn are the best seasons, with mild, sunny weather. July and August are hot and humid, though the sea is warm for swimming from June to October.

Holy Week and the August fair are the main festivals.

Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Great

17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 5°–21°
8° at night
5 rainy days
16 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Great

18° (feels like 15°) · extremes 5°–22°
9° at night
5 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Great

20° (feels like 17°) · extremes 7°–25°
11° at night
6 rainy days
18 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

22° (feels like 20°) · extremes 9°–27°
13° at night
6 rainy days
18 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 12°–31°
16° at night
5 rainy days
23 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
18°C · too cold to swim
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in June

Great

30° · extremes 17°–34°
21° at night
1 rainy day
25 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in July

Good

33° · extremes 20°–37°
23° at night
0 rainy days
26 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good

33° (feels like 34°) · extremes 21°–36°
24° at night
1 rainy day
24 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 17°–33°
21° at night
4 rainy days
19 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
23°C · cool for a dip
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

25° · extremes 13°–30°
17° at night
5 rainy days
17 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
21°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

20° (feels like 19°) · extremes 8°–25°
12° at night
6 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
18°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in December

Great

17° (feels like 15°) · extremes 5°–22°
9° at night
5 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Alcazaba of AlmeríaThe Alcazaba of Almería is a fortified complex in Almería, southern Spain.

Almería CathedralThe Cathedral of Almería, in full the Cathedral of the Incarnation of Almería, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Almería,…

Almería air raid sheltersThe Spanish city of Almería suffered up to 52 bombings from air and sea, with a total of 754 bombs dropped during the Spanish Civil War.

English CableA loading pier built in 1904 by a mine company in the port of Almeria. Impressive industrial heritage.

Museum of AlmeríaThe Museum of Almería is an archaeological museum in the Province of Almería.

Almería Walk of FameFilmmaking walk of fame featuring granite and bronze stars that honor actors and directors who have worked in the region. It was established in 2012 to celebrate the city's cinematic heritage and film festival.

Conjunto Monumental la Alcazaba de Almería is a large Moorish fortress from the 10th century, with gardens, walls and views of the city and the sea. It is free for EU citizens, and it is a short walk from the center.
Catedral de la Encarnación is a 16th-century fortress-like cathedral, built to defend against pirate raids.
Refugios de la Guerra Civil Española de Almería are underground shelters from the Civil War, built for the city's people in 1937. Guided visits are offered.
Cable Inglés is a metal loading pier from 1904, built for iron ore trains. It stands over the waterfront.
Museo de Almería shows prehistoric finds from the region, including the Bronze Age Argar culture.
Paseo de la Fama de Almería is a walk with plaques for films shot in the region.
The Paseo Marítimo is a long seafront promenade with beaches.

Featured Lists

Zangarreon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Almería's Absolute Essentials

Almería’s landscape is defined by the Alcazaba, a massive 10th-century Moorish fortress, and the fortified Cathedral of the Incarnation, built to withstand pirate raids. The city preserves its modern history through a network of underground Civil War air raid shelters and the Cable Inglés, a monumental iron ore pier from 1904. Beyond the center, the Cabo de Gata region features the 18th-century Torreón de San Miguel watchtower and the iconic Salinas church, reflecting the area's strategic coastal and industrial past.

10 places

Schumi4ever / CC BY-SA 4.0

Best Sandy Beaches

Almería’s coastline spans from developed urban promenades to the volcanic landscapes of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The city beaches, such as El Zapillo and Nueva Almería, offer wide sandy shores and full accessibility. Moving east, the terrain shifts into protected ecological reserves featuring fossilized dunes at Las Amoladeras and the Las Salinas salt pans. This selection includes historical sites like Cala del Búnker’s Civil War defenses and the traditional fishing village atmosphere of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata.

15 places

Zangarreon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ancient Ruins and Historical Sites

This collection highlights Almería's diverse archaeological heritage, spanning from the Bronze Age to the industrial era. Key sites include the 10th-century Alcazaba fortress and the Necrópolis del Barranquete, which features ancient tholos tombs. The list also documents the region's rural and industrial past through 16th-century coastal watchtowers, Roman fish-salting remains, and numerous abandoned cortijos—traditional Andalusian farmhouses that characterize the arid landscape of southeastern Spain.

20 places

Exploring Caves

Explore a series of natural caves and rock shelters scattered across the arid landscapes of Almeria, primarily within the Sierra de Alhamilla. These geological formations represent the region's karst topography, where erosion has carved subterranean spaces into limestone and gypsum. This list highlights sites like Cueva de la Algarra and Cueva de Almagro, showcasing the rugged terrain and the historical significance of these natural shelters in a semi-desert environment.

11 places

Schumi4ever / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scenic Viewpoints and Peaks

This collection spans the diverse landscapes of Almería, from the coastal salt flats of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park to the high peaks of Sierra Alhamilla. It includes specialized bird hides at Las Salinas for observing flamingos and migratory species, alongside urban viewpoints overlooking the city's main boulevards. The list also features Colativí, the highest point in Sierra Alhamilla at 1,387 meters, providing views of the Tabernas Desert and the Mediterranean coastline.

7 places

What to experience

Order drinks in a bar in the center and receive a free tapa with each one. This is a local tradition.
Walk up to the Alcazaba at sunset for views over the bay.

Tours & Activities

Almería — Map

Almería — Travel Guide (PDF) Open the interactive map

Day trips

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park (about 30 km, 40 minutes by car): a coast of volcanic cliffs, coves and beaches.
Tabernas Desert (about 30 km, 30 minutes by car): Europe's only desert, with film sets used for Westerns.
Granada (about 170 km, 2 hours by car): the Alhambra and the Albaicín.
Mojácar (about 90 km, 1 hour by car): a white hill village above the sea.

Where to explore

Other places in Andalusia:

City: Granada is the main inland destination.
Murcia: Murcia is the nearest large city to the northeast.

Getting there

By air: Almería airport (LEI) is about 10 km east of the center and has flights from Madrid, Barcelona and some European cities. Buses link it with the city.
By train: Trains run to Granada, Seville and Madrid, but journeys are slow. Book on Renfe.
By bus: Coaches run to Granada, Murcia, Málaga and the coast.

Getting around

On foot: The center is compact and flat, but the Alcazaba is uphill.
Cycling: The seafront has a cycle path, and the city is flat.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car is the best way to see Cabo de Gata and the desert.
Parking: Use an underground car park in the center.
Restrictions: The old town has streets with limited access.

Food & drink

Almería is known for free tapas with a drink, a local custom in many bars. Try fresh fish and shellfish from the bay, gurullos (a stew with small pasta shapes), migas (fried breadcrumbs) and the very sweet tomatoes and vegetables grown in the greenhouses of the province.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Almería is a safe city. Sun is strong most of the year, so use sun protection and carry water, especially at the Alcazaba and in the desert.

History

Almería was founded in the 10th century by Abd al-Rahman III of Córdoba as a naval base, and it became a rich trade port. The Alcazaba dates from that time.

Christian forces took the city in 1489. In the 20th century it suffered bombing in the Civil War, and later it grew with the intensive greenhouse farming of the surrounding plain.