London Stansted to Almeria Airport
The city of Almeria in southern Spain has a long history with Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans all leaving their mark. But it was the Moors who made the most impact and they built the huge Alcazaba fortress which dominates the city.
Today the economy of Almeria is based on agriculture – the region is full of greenhouses growing fruit and vegetables – and also tourism with the growth in popularity of the Costa de Almeria and its resorts such as Roquetas and Mojacar.
Flights between London Stansted and Almeria Airport are provided by the no-frills airlines easyJet and Ryanair. The airport has one terminal and is situated 10km (6 miles) from Almeria. There is a regular bus service from the airport to the calle Doctor Gregorio Marañon in the city centre and the journey takes 30 minutes. Buses leave every half hour at peak times on weekdays, and every 45 minutes at weekends and weekday evenings. Taxis to the city centre from outside the airport terminal cost around 15 euros, while Roquetas is around 30 euros and Mojacar 75 euros.
Places of interest in Almeria include:
- Alcazaba. Almeria’s top tourist attraction is an enormous fortress surrounded by inpenetrable cliffs. The Alcazaba was constructed by the Moors in the 10th century and Almeria was subsequently transformed into a major sea port. Unfortunately the ravages of time have made an impact and the Alcazaba has now lost much of its splendour. The fortress is divided into three separate areas. The lowest part, the Primer Recinto, was originally the civic centre filled with houses but is now a rose garden. Further within the Alcazaba’s fortified walls is the Segundo Recinto. In this compound is the ruins of the Palace de Almotacin and the Ermita de San Juan chapel which was converted from a mosque by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. Finally we come to the highest area, the Tercer Recinto. Within it is a fortress built by the Catholic Monarchs after they had overthrown the Moors. This area has now been restored and from it are fantastic views over Almeria.
- Cathedral. Almeria’s cathedral is a major landmark with its fortress-like structure. Constructed in the 16th century, the cathedral once housed canons to defend the building from Barbarossa and other pirates who used to terrify this stretch of coastline.
- Old Town. The old town of Almeria is situated on the eastern slopes of the Alcazaba. Most of the city’s best cafes and bars are here along with the cathedral to the south. Other sights of interest in the old town include a pleasant 17th century square, the Plaza Constitucion, a photography museum, the central market and several other buildings of Moorish origin. Muralla de la Hoya. Built in the 11th century, this fortified wall spans the valley to the north of the Acazaba. At the opposite end of the wall is a giant statue of Christ and a ruined church.
- Costa de Almeria. Unlike the neighbouring Costa del Sol, the Costa de Almeria remains relatively unspoilt and is home to resorts such as Mojacar, Carboneras and Roquetas.
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