The rugged volcanic rock formations that provide the backdrop to this unspoilt and rural coastal region are reason enough to explore. Now a protected Natural Park and UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Cabo de Gata shoreline is scattered with wild beaches and small fishing villages, miraculously untainted by mass tourism. We enjoyed the whitewashed simplicity of La Isleta and Las Negras with their sandy coves, beached fishing boats and the occasional bar or fish restaurant overlooking the beach. More adventurous visitors could sample some of the local diving or coastal walking, though soaking in the simple beauty of this relatively undiscovered corner of Spain is pleasure enough.

Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Spain
Google map: bit.ly/JnhfiN

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This small corner of Spain just south of Almeria encompasses a range of different landscapes, in one day you can walk through sand dunes and on wide sweeping bays, play on rocky shores, climb mountains and sit by salt water lagoons bird watching. The scenery is stunning and this is a fantastic area for walking without seeing another soul all day or cycling on quiet lanes. Stay in San Jose, a bustling village, for some nightlife, if you still have the energy at the end of an active day.

www.degata.com/eng/
Google map: bit.ly/IxSynS

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We have just returned from a week at Cortijo del Seviilano and what a lovely place it is. Sevillano is a charming, converted farmhouse that's around 200-years-old. It's conversion to a comfortable place to stay is a stylish mixture of traditional Spanish and contemporary. Go as soon as you can, even a long weekend will make you feel as if you've been away for a week.

www.cortijodelsevillano.com
Number 1, 04610, Cuevas del Almanzora
+34950 453340

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Lovingly restored small hotel with a charming feel. Remote enough to relax in luxury and close enough to the coast for some action.
Beautiful part of Spain

www.cortijodelsevillano.com
Number 1, 04610, Cuevas del Almanzora, Almeria
+34950 453340
Google map: bit.ly/eabBM8

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Almeria's long sandy beach, just a 10-minute walk from the old town, is a great place to spend a day (or week). Breezes blow in from the Mediterranean providing some much-needed respite from the sweltering heat, and should you need more cooling there are plenty of beachside bars, cafes and chiringuitos serving up bocadillos, tapas, paella and, most importantly, cold beer! Every year on 23 June on Noche de San Juan the beach comes alive at night with fireworks and bonfires (write down a wish and throw it into the fire for it to come true) – then take a midnight dip in the ocean. There is a hotel on the beachfront called El Delfin Verde, where John Lennon stayed in the 1960s, and is allegedly where he wrote Strawberry Fields Forever

Google map: tinyurl.com/39dtsnv

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Tapas bar in Andalucia. Locals loiter in the street outside waiting for it to open (12-4 and 8-12 every day except Sunday), with good reason. It's an old bar, dating from 1870, in a narrow street in the old part of town. Marble bar, big jars, range of bottles, obligatory dripping hams, azulejos tiles, some comic, one proclaiming(in Spanish) "Neither the best French pate, nor the Belugar caviar from Iran, can be compared to the unrivalled tapas offered in Casa Puga.". Slight exaggeration, but the huge variety of good quality, generous tapas makes a great effort. With your glass of Rioja or Ribera or cold beer comes a free tapas which only tempts you to try something else - perhaps fried fresh fish, kidneys, mushrooms, tuna, prawns, squid, beans or ham, or visit the adjoining dining room. Attentive friendly service.

Casa Puga, calle Jovellanos 7, Almeria. In the centre of the historic quarter, near the cathedral.

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If it seems like the whole town has turned out for the Santa Semana (Easter Week) parades, that's probably because they have. A wonderful place to view this spectacle and enjoy the Andalucian sunshine in Spring.

Fly from Almeria or Murcia

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A unique bed & breakfast in a fabulous setting. The cortijo is a restored farmhouse which has a boutique feel. A real hotel experience at B&B prices.

www.cortijodelsevillano.com

0034950 453340

From Almeria or Murcia airports

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I booked my yoga week in Spain with Prana Holidays. They have visited every retreat and can give first hand info. I was a bit wary as I was travelling alone but I found it great fun!

www.pranaholidays.com

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Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla? Of course. But try Almeria, a city with friendly people, wide avenues, an impressive alcazaba, a fortified cathedral and a long beach.

And, if you don't know where to stay or eat, look no further than the Plaza de las Flores, a Torreluz hegemony. In this tiny square (no flowers I'm afraid) Torreluz gives its name to a four-star hotel, a two-star hotel (which we thought very good value for money, but try and get a room overlooking the square), a separate block of apartments, an upmarket restaurant, a very acceptable modern cafeteria where guests of the two-star hotel take their breakfasts (which were very good) and, best of all, a traditional bodega full of atmosphere and people, who spilled out onto the square, serving good value and good quality dishes. All you want in one square right in the centre of town.

Plaza de las Torres, near Puerta de Purchena, the main square, Almeria. Torreluz enterprises etc

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This Natural Park is superb in spring. Good weather, no cars and good roads. Accommodation easy and staggeringly cheap to find on line.

Keep 20k south of Mojacar and explore along the coast. www.holiday-rentals.com and www.typicalish.com are good sites.
Maps for any trip from Stanfords in Long Acre - can't beat them.

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The 16th century cathedral in Almeria is unique because of its appearance as a fortress built to defend the city against raiding Turkish and North African pirates. Its corner towers once held cannons. The interior is just like the inside of any other cathedral though - but is no less disappointing for that.

Plaza de la Catedral
Entry fee is 2 euros.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm

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The fortress (or Alcazaba) is a tremendous triumph of Moorish architecture which towers over the once independant kingdom of Almeria. The old city walls can be clearly seen branching across the mountain down to the suburbs of modern Almeria. It is much better than the Alcazaba at Málaga - with three huge walled enclosures, in the second of which are the remains of a mosque. The views down to the coast are amazing.

Plaza de Joaquin Santisteban
Entry is free to EU citizens (passport needed), otherwise 1.50 euros.
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 9am-8.30pm (Oct-March closes 6.30pm)

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Alta Mar is right on the harbour front at AguaDulce, 20 minutes from Almeria, nestled among interesting bars (Free Amigos with Peter) and other more touristy ice cream parlours and noisy cafes, it is easy to see the class and quality of its owners and meals.

It's worth a trip for the fantastic mediterranean cuisine, 70 euros for two, the finest Spanish wine, amazing mozzarella salad starter, freshest sea bass which would give Gordon Ramsay a run for his money (and no F-word) and the finest chocolate pudding cooked specially in the oven for 12 minutes.

My mouth waters at returning there, oh, and the most charming Dutch/English owner and free drinks to follow. A find.

Puerto deportive de Aguadulce tel:950347740

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