Local Area
Costa del Almeria
Almeria is the most easterly province in Andalusia. It is the lesser known province but one of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean coast. Having been overlooked in the past as a tourist destination due to its remote nature and sparse road system, it is now the fastest growing region in Spain following the construction of a network of roads and the emergence of budget airlines. Learning from the mistakes made by neighbouring Costas, Almeria has controlled development to achieve a perfect balance between modern tourism and traditional Spanish needs. This Eastern corner of coastal Andalucía is beautiful thanks to one of the finest coastlines in Spain - cliffs, coves, rocky outcrops and wonderfully clean beaches with crystal clear waters, with national parks, a warm climate and attractive towns full of history and tradition thrown in for good measure.
Vera
The walled renaissance town of Vera is one of the most important commercial centres in the region. A traditional old Spanish town which is constantly increasing in popularity with tourists who are attracted to its many shops, tapas bars, fancy restaurants and the friendliness and hospitality of it's inhabitants. Vera is also home to a beautiful old town square and gardens and a bull ring! Very Spanish!
Mojacar
Mojácar consists of two virtually separate towns. Mojácar Playa, a 10km sprawling beach strip with hotels and Aladdin's Cave style shops on one side of the road and "chiringuitas" (beach restaurants) along the other. The beaches of Mojácar Playa are long, clean and un-shadowed by high rise development. Then your have Mojácar Pueblo, a fairytale village, with a cluster of whitewashed cubed buildings clinging to the side of the foothills of the Sierra Cabrera. With stepped terraces leading down to miles of beachfront, the Pueblo offers numerous restaurants, bars and cafés.
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The Pueblo is a delightful place to explore. You will find charming trinket shops and arty shops beckoning you with their bits and pieces hanging from walls and make shift stalls. Narrow, steep and cobbled winding streets lead you past smartly renovated houses decked out with potted plants and flowers and hole-in-the-wall shops selling everything from trendy clothing to locally made souvenirs. Public activity tends to centre around the main square, the Plaza de las Flores, which is filled with street cafes, bars, boutiques and shops and has breathtaking views to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Mojácar offers fiestas throughout the summer, regular markets, and many historical, archaeological and architectural treasures to explore. In the evenings, visitors and residents can be found relaxing on outdoor terraces, eating, drinking or just watching the stunning sunset fall behind the mountains. You'll find a variety of different restaurants and bars, from those that cater for mums, dads and kids to those that offer a more romantic setting or international menu.
Villaricos
Villaricos is a small unspoilt fishing village, both charming and tranquil, which maintains a typical Spanish feel. Fishing and tourism is it's main source of income. There are two beaches, a pebbled expanse and an unspoilt golden sandy beach which has an excellent chiringuito and a children's playground. The latter is in a sheltered bay which, although popular with the locals, is never crowded. Just beyond the village is a rugged coastline where you can relax in solitude among rock pools and sand. Villaricos has two harbours which sit at either end of the village linked by a broad promenade with numerous places to sit and contemplate. It is a popular place for an evening stroll by visitors and locals alike. Villaricos is known for its crystal clear warm waters. There are many good restaurants and bars with food at reasonable prices with both Spanish and English cuisine available and a small but lively market every Sunday in the square.
Garrucha
Garrucha is a beautiful and lively fishing town that still retains much of its original charm. Over the last few years it has become a popular tourist destination. The town is famous for the quality of it's large red prawns, only fished in the local waters. It combines plenty of character, a yachting marina and fantastic local cuisine based on fresh fish caught daily and processed in the beachfront market. The local fishing boats leave the harbour in the morning and return between 17:00 and 18:30, unload their catch and auction it in the market to the local fish restaurants. It is fantastic to see this happening and you can wander around the auction while it is in progress.
Garrucha is also well known for its magnificent golden sandy beaches, stretching as far as the eye can see. The wide beach and fine sands offer a perfect place to sunbathe, play sports or just wander along and enjoy the view. The beach opposite the town centre is the only blue flag in-town beach in Europe! One of the pleasures of Garrucha is taking an evening stroll around the bay. A palm tree lined promenade framed by white marble balustrades spans the length of the town and takes in the ports of Garrucha. There are landscaped areas to sit and relax while watching the sunset over the Mediterranean sea and play areas for children.
Garrucha also boasts plenty of shops; a supermarket, butchers, grocers and hardware, clothes and a few shoe shops as well as a pharmacy, several banks, a good selection of restaurants and a couple of ice cream parlours. Whatever you want, you'll be able to get it in Garrucha!
Finally, every Friday there is a very big market that runs along two parallel streets.
Cabo de Gata Natural Park
High temperatures and the lowest rainfall in the Iberian peninsula has created a large semi-desert area known as Cabo de Gata, a national park and Andalucia's largest coastal protected area.
Cabo de Gata is a wild and isolated landscape with shrubby vegetation and dwarf fan palms. The mountain range is Spain's largest volcanic rock formation with sharp peaks and crags which fall steeply to the sea creating jagged cliffs and hidden coves with numerous white sandy beaches which are some of the most beautiful in Andalucia. Offshore are numerous small rocky islands and underwater extensive coral reefs which teem with marine life. The park encompasses an outstanding variety of habitats from coastal dunes, beaches, steep cliffs, saltpans and salt-marshes and dry river beds, and shelters a wealth of wildlife, including many rare plants and endangered fauna. One of Spain's most important wetland areas for breeding birds is called the Salinas de Cabo de Gata, a saltwater lagoon that runs parallel to the beach, separated from it by a 400m wide sand bar. Located between San Miguel and the Cabo de Gata headland, this lagoon is of outstanding ecological interest. The salinas (saltpans) are the only ones still in operation in eastern Andalucia and are home to pink flamingos. Cabo de Gata is the perfect place to visit fishing villages, a lighthouse and the unusual beaches of Mónsul, Genoveses and San José, the nerve centre and main tourist centre in the park.
San Juan De Los Torreros
A beautiful and traditional resort that retains its original charm. Golden beaches lead gently into the sea which makes this a great area for safe bathing. The town has a long and wide promenade which adds an air of sophistication and provides easy access to a variety of new and old restaurants and bars.
Aguilas
Aguilas is a fishing port midway between Almeria and Murcia airports. It is a popular holiday destination for Spaniards and maintains its Spanish character. Aguilas offers many excellent bars, cafés and restaurants, often with beautiful terraces and gardens. Outdoor pursuits on land and sea are well catered for while for the nature lover there is much to admire.
Turre
Turre is tucked just inland between Mojácar and Los Gallardos in the foothills of the Sierra Cabrera. The town has a long and varied heritage and given its position, is loved by walkers, hikers, climbers, horse riders and golf enthusiasts.
Bars and Restaurants
Here are a few restaurants and bars that we enjoy going to as a family.
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Cositas
You will have probably passed this Chiringuito on the way to Al Andalus Thalassa. It's our nearest venue although it's only open during the summer months. The tapas are very varied and very tasty and the waitresses are really nice and very friendly. It's a great place to sit outside with a Tapa and a favourite beverage!
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Lua Puerto Ray - Playas de Vera
You will find this fantastic up-market venue on the corner opposite the Consum supermarket. They serve the most amazing tapas with each drink and the atmosphere and service is second to none. They have a full restaurant which should be sampled, the food is excellent quality. This is one of our favourite places.
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Le Petit Gourmet, Vera Playa
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This venue is in the new Vera Plaza development just behind the Consum supermarket. There are two terraces, one covered and heated and the second one outdoors with floral foliage decoration. They serve great quality food, drinks (lovely coffee) and all served by friendly staff with a warm welcome. The Belgian owners speak fantastic Spanish and English and they really can’t do enough to make your visit is a good one. This is another one of our favourites and highly recommended!
Frankies Bar – Vera Playa
For Frankies you turn left towards AL-7107 at the main roundabout at the bottom of Avenue De Salar and then first right onto Avenida Ciudad De Barcelona and Frankies on further down on the right. They serve a range of good reasonably priced quality food where you are always assured of a warm welcome. TVs available for major sporting events and there is a Quiz every Thursday evening (very popular with the ex-pats) and often live music on Fridays.
Four Seasons – Vera Playa
Next door to Frankie’s Bar, this is a great Spanish restaurant at good prices. You will be warmly welcomed by the owners and their staff. There is an extensive menu with main meals as well as smaller plates. It is a great place to meet the locals and sample real homemade food or to simply relax and have a glass of wine or cold beer.
Koa Terrace Bar – Vera Playa
This is also on the Avenida Ciudad De Barcelona near to the Vera Playa Club Hotel a little further on past Frankies Bar and about a 25 minute walk from the apartment. This Spanish run terrace bar and restaurant has an extensive menu and you are assured of good food at reasonable prices.
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Los Conteros Restaurant & Bar – Villaricos
You will find Los Conteros in a quiet setting just off of the AL-8106 road to La Herrerias. Follow the AL-7107 Vera Playa to Villaricos road and go over the bridge. After 200 metres take the first left, then after a further 200 metres take the first right into the large car park. A warm welcome plus a wide and varied menu awaits you.
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Millionaires Sports Bar & Cafe
A favourite of ours, featuring large plasma screen TV’s to catch up with the UK football. Serves good quality traditional English food available seemingly at any time. Featuring Sunday roasts, Friday fish n chips with mushy peas plus traditional English breakfast served all day. Located on the Las Marinas front line in the Pueblo Laguna area right next to the beach so the kids can play whilst you enjoy a morning coffee. They also sell a large selection of ice creams and lollies which keeps the kids happy. Along with the free WiFi, it's just a relaxing place to go for a drink or two whilst catching some rays. Open 10am until late every day.
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