3 PERFECT DAYS DAY 1 // BEACH BUMMING

Stock up on picnic goods at the supermarket in the coastal town of San José ( p302 ; or, for the more prepared, Lamarca gourmet shop before you head out from Almería, p296 ), then spend the day at the beaches southwest of town ( p302 ). Pack light so you can hike over the rocks to the Calas del Barronal, the most private coves. Back in San José in the evening, enjoy a big meal of fresh seafood at Casa Miguel ( p304 ).

DAY 2 // DRIVING THE COASTHead up the coast road north of San José, stopping at the Mirador de la Amatista for stunning views and in the village of Rodalquilar ( p303 ) to see the botanic gardens and the ruined gold mines. Refresh at nearby Playa del Playazo ( p303 ) with an afternoon swim. Depending on your larger itinerary, head to Mojácar ( p305 ) for dinner, or back to Almería for a tapas tour ( p294 ).

DAY 3 // DESERT AND MOUNTAINSMake a morning visit to one of the western movie sets among the dramatic canyons and rock formations of the Desierto de Tabernas ( p297 ), then have lunch at olive-oil mill Los Albardinales ( p298 ). In the afternoon head for the slightly cooler elevations of the Alpujarras for some leisurely wine-tasting, or a hike in the mountains above Laujar de Andarax ( p300 ).

ALMERÍA PROVINCE

© Lonely Planet

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UU

GRANADA

ParqueNatural Sierra

de Baza

Sierra Nevada

Las Alpujarras

Sierra de Gádor

Sierra de la Contraviesa

Chullo(2612m)

Morrón(2236m)

Buitre(2465m)

Puerto dela Ragua

Laroles

El Ejido

Alhama deAlmería

AguadulceRoquetas

de Mar

AlmerimarBalerma

Orce

Ugíjar

Ohanes

Dalias

Berja

Cherin

Laujar deAndarax

Fondón

Doña MaríaOcaña

Huércal deAlmería

Abla

RiojaBenahadux

Gádor

Santa Maríadel Águila

Gérgal

Santa Fe deMondújar

Canjáyar

Adra

Almería

Parque NacionalSierra Nevada

Parque NaturalSierra Nevada

WesternLeone

Cinema StudiosFort Bravo

LosMillares

SôA334

SôA92SôA348

SôA92

ALMERÍA PROVINCE

The surrounding desert is a popularsetting for movie westerns

p297TABERNAS

Visit the monumental Alcazabain this unpretentious port city

p290ALMERÍA

The capital of Almería’s mainwinemaking region, just belowthe Sierra Nevada

p300LAUJAR DE ANDARAX

GETTING AROUND

Almería’s mountain villages are linked by bus service, but travelling

along the coast around Cabo de Gata is trickier, as the infrequent

buses head only to Almería city, and not to neighbouring towns. To

see the whole coast, a car is a must. Driving in the city is not difficult,

though in the small historic core, many streets are pedestrian-only.

On-street parking is scarce, but there are many underground lots.

Trains connect only Almería to Granada and Guadix.

‚To Baza (17km);Guadix (60km)

‚To Guadix (29km);Granada (82km)

‚To Cádiar (5km);Órgiva (38km)

‚To Almuñécar

(55km)

‚

ToMelilla(148km)

‚

To Nador(160km)

286