Discover the hidden secrets of nature in Almería

Ready to travel around Almería from east to west? We begin our tour in Villaricos, a fishing village on the coast of Almería, in the neighbourhood of Cuevas del Almanzora.

Its 18th-century castle served as a watchtower for sighting the arrival of Berber pirates looking for slaves. This tower is also located next to the old city of Baria from the Phoenician era.

Cala Verde stretches all the way along the seafront promenade of Villaricos–a unique beach full of natural reefs and rocky areas, which make it very appealing for diving and snorkelling.

The name of this place comes from "la Villa de los Ricos” (the village of the rich people). Modest families, who were mostly fishermen, let their houses to the nobility from the town in summer. The anchor on the seafront promenade reminds us of the roots that this village still preserves.

Plenty of restaurants, bars and taverns near the beach with outdoor seating areas, used equally in winter due to the excellent temperature we have all year round.

During the summer months, the beach is covered with beach bars that are open all day long, where you'll experience the atmosphere of the beach by day and by night.

It also has a marina and a fishing port – one at either end of the village. This is the departure point for boats with glass bottoms so you don't a single detail of the impressive Mediterranean seabed.

We continue along the coast through the sheltered coves that are hidden here. We will be brought to a stop by the wild beauty of the cove and crystal-clear waters that lend their name to Cala Cristal (crystal cove).

Activities are organised in these coves, such as diving, underwater fishing and kayaking along the coast in search of beaches that cannot be reached on foot or hidden caves.

Following on along the coastline, we reach Cala de las Conchas (shell cove). This is the start of one of the many hiking routes and mountain bike trails in the area, entering the mountains through the remains of mines that are still preserved.

The route will cross Sierra Almagrera, coming across passages, chimneys, ruins and remains from the area's most important mining period: digging for jarosite – a prized and scarce mineral.

Due to their proximity to the sea, work has stopped at these mines and only the traces of their mining past remain.

All along the route, we will see the importance that mining had in the area and what the activity was like, through the stone ruins that remain.

Almost at the end of the route, we will go through Los Barracones (the huts) – the old mining village of El Arteal. The mine workers lived there with their families during that mining period. Today, it is used as a firing range for the army or as a paintball field.

We head towards Cuevas del Almanzora (Almanzora caves), which gets its name from the fact that the people here lived in natural caves dug into the mountainside around the Almanzora River. In this area, there are still people living in the oldor newly-built caves.

In Plaza de la Encarnación in Cuevas del Almanzora, built on the site of the old Arab mosque, you will come across the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. This is one of the most important buildings in the area, declared a National Historical and Artistic Monument, and is the second largest in the province of Almería.

In Plaza de la Libertad, we find the Marqués de los Vélez Castle, built by the Marquis of Los Vélez in the 16th century. Inside is the Antonio Manuel Campoy Museum, dedicated to the painter and sculptor from the town and containing the archaeological museum, the historic archives and the municipal library.

Its inner patio has an amphitheatre that makes an unbeatable backdrop for enjoying open-air concerts and shows in a real historical setting.

Going up along the Almanzora River on the way to the reservoir dam, we will stop at the rowing canal from the Mediterranean Games. This is surrounded, in turn, by an athletics track and has accommodation facilities where you can enjoy the area and some sport.

The canal has its own wakeboard park for surfing and practising your jumps. Sound interesting?

Discovering a little more of the area on foot, we'll go along the signposted route to La Fuente del Álamo. We'll cross streams and discover ancient caves and farmhouses until wecome to the spring that the locals used to use for drinking water.

Almería is also a perfect spot for board sports besides diving and other water activities that will allow you to discover the incredible seabed.

The wind and tides offer us a new opportunity: surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and bodyboarding are different sports you can enjoy in the area whether you are already an aficionado or you'd like to take one of them up from scratch.

The wild nature of Almería will afford you wonderful experiences to share with friends… Shall we help you plan your trip?