COSTA de Almeria

The Best Destinations for Almeria Holidays

The Costa de Almeria, in Spain’s southeast corner, is full of colorful semi-desertic landscapes with a large selection of pristine beaches. With plenty of sunshine (over 320 days per year), warm weather and a relaxed vibe, it’s no wonder that the coast of Almeria has become a great alternative to the massively overrun destinations found in other parts of Spain.

Even Mojacar Playa, the largest resort town in Almeria, is quite laid back. But if you are looking to relax and possibly do some outdoor activities such as kayaking or biking, then the coast of Almeria is a great choice. Check out our list below of the top 10 holiday towns on the Costa de Almeria.

Patricia Palacios, co-founder of España Guide
About
PATRICIA PALACIOS
España Guide Co-Founder
Patricia is an engineer turned content creator who for over a decade has been helping travelers navigate her native Spain. In addition to her own website, her tips and recommendations have been featured on BBC Travel, CNN, El País & Lonely Planet, just to name a few.

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Top 10 Villages on the Costa de Almeria

1

MOJACAR

Visitors bathing at a beach in Mojacar Playa, Costa de Almeria
Mojacar Playa – Costa de Almeria

Mojacar is a town divided in two. One one side, you have old Mojacar, known as Mojacar Pueblo, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the coast of Almeria. And on the other side, you have the new beach resort known as Mojacar Playa that stretches along 17km of sandy beach.

While Mojacar Pueblo is probably the most picturesque village in Almeria, it is usually just a day excursion taken by those visiting the beaches down below.

OUR TOP PICK HOTEL IN MOJACAR

Our favorite accommodation in Mojacar Playa is the Parador de Mojacar. With a laid-back vibe, this modern 4-star hotel is surrounded by a beautiful garden area with a swimming pool and 2 padel courts. And, the beach is just meters away (as well as a large variety of bars and restaurants).

Mojacar Playa is definitely a resort town, but it has been quite tastefully developed. There are no high rise buildings and the atmosphere is more relaxed than in many of Spain’s larger beach resort destinations.

In the urban center you will find several developed beaches with all amenities and facilities. Two good examples are the Playa de las Ventanicas and Playa del Palmeral. There is also a large variety of accommodations, restaurants & bars, shops and nightclubs.

To the south of the urban center, there are several virgin beaches such as Cala del Sombrerico. And, in less than 30 minutes by car, you can reach the Cabo de Gata Nature Park, home to endless untouched beaches.

For all of these and many more reasons, visiting Mojacar is one of the absolute best things to do in Almeria.


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2

SAN JOSE

Village of San Jose (Almeria) at sunset
Village of San Jose at sunset

The town of San Jose is located at the heart of Cabo de Gata. Although it only accounts for 850 inhabitants, it is one of the most important tourist centers in the whole Costa de Almeria. As such, it is home to a varied offer of accommodations, bars, restaurants, etc.

OUR FAVORITE HOTEL IN SAN JOSE

The Hostal del Cabo is our favorite accommodation in the town of San Jose. It offers bright and spacious rooms featuring stylish décor in light tones. Some even have a balcony with sea views.

Located right next to the beach, the port and a bunch of restaurants, the Hostal del Cabo might not be the most luxurious, but has everything one can need and offers great value for the money.

The town is centered around a nice sandy bay. With calm waters and all the amenities you might think of, this 200 m long beach is particularly popular among families with children. Right next to the beach you will find the marina of San Jose which is the area with the highest concentration of restaurants and bars.

Another great advantage of San Jose is its proximity to some of the best virgin beaches in Cabo de Gata such as Playa de Monsul and Playa de los Genoveses.


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3

SAN JUAN DE LOS TERREROS

Beautiful coastline of San Juan de los Terreros, Almeria (Spain)
San Juan de los Terreros
Dreamstime

San Juan de los Terreros is a small village located in the northern end of the Costa de Almeria. It is actually the last town of Almeria before Murcia.

Until not long ago, this laidback coastal village was only visited by locals and people from the surroundings. However, its popularity has boomed in the last couple of years. Now every summer tourists from all over Spain and Europe come to spend their holidays here.

And rightfully so, because San Juan de los Terreros is home to great beaches. On one side, there are several beaches and coves in town with all services and amenities such as Playa de la Mar Serena. On the other, there are also several virgin beaches just outside of town such as Playa de los Cocedores.


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4

CARBONERAS

Seaside promenade lined with palm trees in Carboneras – Cabo de Gata, Spain
Seaside promenade in Carboneras

The town of Carboneras is located in the northern edge of the famous Cabo de Gata Nature Park.

The low-rise houses that make up Carboneras stretch across more than 2 km of sandy beach which is bordered by a nice promenade with bars & restaurants.

OUR HOTEL CHOICE IN CARBONERAS

El Trébol Bar & Hotel is our favorite accommodation in Carboneras. In our opinion, it’s the most stylish hotel in town. It features Scandinavian décor in warm tones with wooden and white furniture. And what’s even better, it is located just steps away from the beach.

From pretty much everywhere along Carboneras oceanfront, you can see the San Andres Island which is a great spot for snorkeling and diving.

Outside of town, there are several virgin beaches such as Playa del Algarrobico and Cala La Galera. Moreover, Carboneras is just a 10-min drive away from the famous Playa de los Muertos.


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5

VERA

Lifeguard stand at Vera beach, Almería
Lifeguard stand at Vera beach

The town of Vera is located 20 min drive north of Mojacar. Like Mojacar, it is also divided in two. While the newer development of Vera Playa spans along the oceanfront, the historic Vera Pueblo is located 7 km inland.

Vera Playa stretches across 6 km of beautiful sandy beaches. However, what makes Vera Playa special is that it has become one of the top naturist destinations in Europe. It is home to the first 100% nudist hotel in Spain, the Vera Playa Club Hotel as well as many other nudist friendly accommodations.

But don’t worry if you prefer to keep your clothes on, because in Vera the traditional family tourism coexists with the naturism.


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6

AGUA AMARGA

Agua Amarga's beachfront in Cabo de Gata, Costa de Almeria (Spain)
Agua Amarga's beachfront on the Costa de Almeria

Agua Amarga is a 400-inhabitant village in the Cabo de Gata Nature Park. It is made up of small white houses stretching along a sandy shoreline that is framed by cliffs of fossilized sand on both ends.

The beach in Agua Amarga features calm turquoise waters, easy access and all basic services. This makes it a favorite of many families with children. There is also the possibility of practicing a variety of water sports such as kayaking, wake-boarding and paddle-surfing.

OUR FAVORITE HOTEL IN AGUA AMARGA

For such a small village, Agua Amarga has a great selection of accommodations. The 3-star Boutique Hotel El Tío Kiko is our favorite. Located in a quiet corner of Agua Amarga, it offers elegantly decorated rooms with private balcony and jacuzzi.

Outside of town, you will find plenty of the gorgeous virgin beaches characteristic from Cabo de Gata. To the north, the famous Playa de los Muertos is less than 10-min drive away. To the south are the secluded Cala de Enmedio and Cala del Plomo.


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7

ISLETA DEL MORO

Coastline along Isleta del Moro – Cabo de Gata, Spain
Coastline along Isleta del Moro

With just 170 inhabitants, it can be said that Isleta del Moro doesn’t have a lot going on. But what this laid-back town does have is an outstanding beach known as Playa del Peñón Blanco or simply Playa de la Isleta. This small sandy beach is divided in two by a big white rock (peñón blanco).

While in Isleta del Moro, make sure to try at least one of the great fish restaurants that occupy the oceanfront.

Due to its location in the middle of the Cabo de Gata Nature Park, La Isleta is surrounded by an array of fabulous beaches. To the south, it is just a 5 min drive to the Escullos beach. To the north, you can reach Playazo de Rodalquilar in just 15 min by car.


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8

ALMERIMAR

Marina & beach in Almerimar, Almeria, Spain
Marina & beach in Almerimar

Almerimar is a modern beach resort town in the western Costa de Almeria. It’s most popular among golf and water sports fans. Not only is it home to an 18-hole golf court but it also has the second largest marina in all of Andalusia.

Around the marina, you will find a large variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. There are also several wind- and kitesurf schools in town, as well as a rowing club.

Almerimar boasts 5 km of beautiful urban beaches. To the east, the Nature Park Punta Entinas-Sabinar stretches along 16 km of virgin beaches.This area is also great for birdwatching. Flamencos is just one of the many species that can been seen there.

Overall, Almerimar offers a livelier holiday atmosphere than some of the other small villages in the Costa de Almeria.


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9

LAS NEGRAS

Quaint street with white houses and colorful shutters in Las Negras, Almeria
Quaint street in Las Negras

Las Negras is a picturesque village of 350 inhabitants in Cabo de Gata. It developed in the 1970’s as a refuge for bohemians and artists. Still to this day, half of the population is foreign.

OUR TOP PICK HOTEL IN LAS NEGRAS

Even though it’s a tiny village, there is quite a variety of accommodations in Las Negras. The 3-star Hotel Cala Chica offers the best value for your money. But if you are looking for a more upscale vibe, then check out the Hotel Spa Calagrande.

While the beach in the town itself isn’t the best (due to the pebbles instead of fine sand), Las Negras is a great base to explore the many stunning beaches of Cabo de Gata. For example, the popular (yet remote) Cala San Pedro is a 60 to 90 min hike away from Las Negras. Or you can get to Playazo de Rodalquilar in just 10 minutes by car.


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10

ROQUETAS DE MAR

Castle along Roquetas beachfront, Almeria
Castle along Roquetas beachfront

Located 22 km west of Almeria city, Roquetas de Mar is one of the largest tourist resort towns in the Costa de Almeria. It offers all facilities and amenities you can expect: shops, bars, restaurants, great nightlife, etc. There is a golf court, a marina and even a mall.

The Aquarium Costa de Almeria, which is the largest one in Andalusia, is located just outside of Roquetas. At the aquarium you can touch rays, feed koi fish and even bathe with sharks!

The town stretches along more than 7 km of urban beaches, from Playa de las Salinas in the north to Playa Serena in the south. Past Playa Serena is the Nature Park Punta Entinas-Sabinar, home to many more kilometers of unspoiled beaches.

The prettiest area of Roquetas is downtown next to the waterfront. It’s worth stopping to visit the castle of Santa Ana, the lighthouse, and the port located right next to it, where you will find several restaurants.


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