Discover the charm and beauty of the Villages of Almería, my favorite region in Spain. If you like local and rural tourism, La Cumbre could well be your best option. Located in Sorbas, La Cumbre has a rural house and a hostel.
On this page, you can find all the information about the towns, routes, natural spaces, etc. Here, we’ll provide you with everything you’ll need to know to convince yourself. Let’s discover the towns and villages of Almería!
Almería Province is a region of extremes. When visiting the area, be sure to explore not only the heavenly beaches but also the interior portions, where you can enjoy the Alpujarra Almeriense. This green and humid, beautiful area offers a stunning landscape sprinkled with ancient white towns.
ALMERIA – The city of Almeria boasts monumental and historically significant buildings, including the Cathedral in the old quarter and the Alcazaba. The Almeria Natural Park begins in San Miguel del Cabo de Gata. The park boasts the highest ecological values in Almeria Province. A must-visit is the Species Reserve situated behind the Alcazaba.
Today, the ancient Alhama de Almeria Arab baths feature an impressive spa, while the important stately historic structures were beautifully preserved. In its vicinity, you’ll find the town of Millares, the best-preserved example of the Megalithic period, as well as landscapes of the most stunning beauty in Rambla Huéchar.
ALCONTAR – Situated in the Sierra de Filabres, Alcontar is the cradle of the Almanzora River. The town is adjacent to the Sierra de Los Filabres Natural Park and the Sierra de Baza Natural Park. In the town’s municipal area, the main tributaries to the Almanzora River originate, including the Los Santos River, the Sauco River, the Barranco de la Amarguilla River, and the Alcóntar River.
The town’s surroundings are dominated by impressive mountain landscapes and the beautiful but abandoned farmhouses of El Castillo, El Sauco, Los Checas, Los Tres Morales, Los Santos, and Aldeire. In this gorgeous area, beautiful orchards are still preserved and maintained.
When it comes to gastronomy, the town boasts, besides the typical Almeria dishes, a key sausage industry located in the district of Hijate.
BACARES – This town dates back to the days of the Phoenicians, and its mining traditions have supplied iron from the surrounding mountains until the 19th century. The town’s first mines and the current ones remain to be viewed, but the town’s Arab past has left a more impressive mark. The organization of Bacares’ streets, its urban planning, and the city’s water pipes remain, to this day, practically intact in this city in the foothills.
As Bacares is surrounded by very high mountains, it was well known to local shepherds, who, in earlier days and still today, have worked with large herds of goats and cattle; however, the latter have almost disappeared. In the fishing port of Garrucha, situated near Sierra Cabrera, you can find more remains of the region’s mining archeology.
In September, Bacares’ inhabitants celebrate the Gods of the Forest when they dress and perform a sort of theater of crippled and poor people. The music and excitement, as well as the presence of tens of thousands of visitors, will break the tranquility that usually characterizes the town of Bacares. After the festivities, the city can return to its typical rains and snowy winter weather.
CARBONERAS – The sailing town of Carboneras boasts over 16 km of stunningly beautiful beaches to please all tastes. From naturist beaches to the more urban areas of Los Cocones close to the city’s marina and Ancón and La Puntica, to the extensive beaches of Algarrobico and Las Marinicas.
Carboneras is situated at the gates of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, making the town an ideal place for exploring the area. Also interesting are local places such as the Alias River, Mesa Roldán, or the Rambla del Saltador.
Carboneras boasts some outstanding historic monuments, such as the Castle of San Andrés, dating back to the 16th century, and the Torre de Mesa Roldán, which was constructed a century later. Carboneras, or “La Mar Divina” as it is promotionally nicknamed, offers visitors these interesting attractions and plenty of small-town charm.
GADOR – The town of Gador is situated in the foothills of the Sierra that bears the same name. The city boasts an ancient history that dates back to the first Millares settlers. The Romans who settled in the area enjoyed a relatively prosperous time during the Islamic Middle Ages, while mining lead and sulfur. Today, the area’s primary importance is in cement mining.
Worth visiting monuments are Gador’s parish church (18th century, Renaissance style), the popular Immaculate Monument located in the town’s high district, and the Hermitage of the Holy Cross, which was replaced in 1762. Major festivals in Gádor are “The Celebrated” in honor of San Sebastián in January and the festival in honor of the Virgen del Rosario in October.
LUBRIN – The town of Lubrín is located in the Sierra de Filabres foothills, some 70 kilometers from the capital. The city is characterized by steep streets lined with houses.
The town’s economy is agricultural and based on livestock (mainly goats) that supply one of Almeria’s first dairy cooperatives in the hamlet of El Fonte. Lubrin has some interesting archaeological sites, such as the Bat Cave. Gastronomically, the town is known for its sausages. If you wish to visit Lubrín, check out the San Sebastián Festival in January when threads of bread are traditionally thrown from the balconies.
LUCAINENA DE LAS TORRES – Lucainena de las Torres offers visitors tranquility and then more tranquility with a fine climate of pleasant summer nights and mild winters.
Mining has left its mark on the town, and the surrounding areas offer great opportunities for mineral enthusiasts. You still can see the smelting furnaces and facilities buildings, which testify to the town’s early last-century activities as one of Spain’s main ore producers.
Today, olive, almond, cereal, and caper agriculture have replaced the metallurgical industry. Interesting are the area’s facilities with sulfurous water baths, an old windmill, and the old mine furnaces.
MOJÁCAR – Mojacar is surrounded by mountains, and the town is steeped in deep Arab roots. The important town Festival of Moors and Christians takes place in June. The most notable tourist attractions are the city’s castle and the Fountain.
In Mojacar, past and present converge as an ancient Moorish settlement overlooks a contemporary beach resort. The whitewashed village is home to a late 16th-century church, and the town maintains its strong cultural and historic character through annual religious festivals and traditional food.
NÍJAR – This is a beautiful white town situated near a beautiful natural park. The city is known for artisanship and typical popular pottery. It is located very close to the Cabo de Gata coastline, and visiting the old town is absolutely worth the effort. You may also want to pay a visit to Huebro and Tabernas, a true oasis located right in the middle of the desert, which shares the same name.
OHANES – This town is located right in the heart of Almeria’s Sierra Nevada National Park. Ohanes is the only town in the entire province of Almeria that’s classified as ecologically up-to-date.
The town’s systems, cleanliness, and way of life are continuously monitored to ensure the title remains valid. You will find narrow and steep streets and whitewashed houses that are at the core of this mountain village, where crystal-clear water runs from various sources.
When you visit Ohanes in May, you can enjoy the festival of San Marcos, in which wild cattle are released in the town. Also interesting is the Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Tices, as the entire region celebrates and takes part in the Pilgrimage to honor the Virgin. When you approach Ohanes in summer, the terraced fields seem like a large green carpet. The region’s table grapes have long been recognized as among the finest in the world.
PURCHENA – This town was established in the Mudejar area on the slopes of a mountain. Its first settlers, however, date back to the Eneolithic times as can be seen at the archaeological site of the Llano de los Churuletes.
What most prominently left its mark on Purchena, though, was the presence of Moorish King Aber Humeya, who stayed here with his troops. He is known for organizing games that resemble the current Olympic Games or the ones of ancient Greece.
In August, the city celebrates a cultural and sports week, one of the most fantastic tourist attractions of Purchena. Residents and visitors alike will dress up in period costumes and travel back in time, engaging in various sports events such as archery, wrestling, weightlifting, and more, accompanied by music and theatrical performances.
Worth visiting is the monumental Renaissance parish church of San Ginés (mid-16th century) that features some evident Mudejar influences. High above the town, sitting on a mountain, you can find Purchena Castle. It is, in fact, a Nasrid citadel, and nearby, you can also find a watchtower built in the same era. Once a town of artisans and miners, contemporary Purchena is renowned for its marble crafts, which are the primary source of the town’s wealth.
SORBAS – Perched on a meandering river, the town boasts whitewashed houses clinging to a cliff, though it is best known for the thousands of caves formed by wind and water, one of the most unique formations in Europe. These caves are studied by geologists, caving experts, and the public throughout the year. Several companies offer guided tours of the most important caves.
Sorbas, located on the Aguas River, is truly a beautiful, authentic open-air geological museum. This is absolutely one of the most impressive and beautiful corners of Almeria province.
Approximately 5 million years ago, the sea’s waters reached Sorbas, and the effects of various climatic phases and changes are perfectly imprinted in the surroundings of this impressive town. Remarkable is the town’s pottery, which uses the colors of the surrounding land and fields.
VELEZ BLANCO – Here you can find the Alcazar de Los Fajardo castle. The town sits high between the Sierras de María and a broad valley. Velez Blanco additionally boasts an impressive Arab Mosque, the Church of La Magdalena, the Convent of San Luis, and the Barrio de la Morería. The town is also known for its abundant water sources, the Canos de la Novia, Alameda, and Caravaca.
VELEZ RUBIO – This town boasts well-preserved, impressive manor houses that feature noble balconies and heraldic shields. Noteworthy are the Church of the Incarnation, the Church of the Immaculate, City Hall, the Church of Carmen, the Church of San José, and the Royal Hospital.
ULEILA DEL CAMPO – This town of just over 1000 residents is located in the Sierra de Filabres foothills. You can reach the city via the old N-340, located just before you arrive in Sorbas. The people live in white houses and make their money through the cultivation of honey hives, almonds, and goat farming. The local cheese factory uses the goats’ milk to produce tasty cheeses and delicate cakes.
Uleila is known for the tradition of the Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Head. Devotees climb the city’s watchtower on pilgrimage, some even barefoot. You can easily lose yourself in Uleila del Campo’s tranquility as you stroll around the town’s beautiful alleyways, sit in the square, or enjoy the almond trees in spring.