The province of Almería is no stranger to foreingn visitors, and present-day tourists are fortunate that their forerunners left behind so much of their cultures. By sea and land to Andalucia's southeastern gateway came to Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Romans, Carthaginians and Moors, all of whom left behind evidence of their passing which we can see for ourselves to this day. One need look no farther than the red stone of the Moorish Alcazaba rising above the city of Almería, an enormous structure which dominates the city skyline and whose construction took 20,000 men. Indeed, it was the Moors who founded this city and under the Omayyad Caliphate it became the most important seaport in Iberia. Then came the Reconquest under the Catholic Monarchy, who later built Almeria's impressive cathedral and whose Castilian roots can still be seen in the province's northern towns and villages.
The countryside of Almería is a study in contrasts. Its 144 miles of Mediterranean costline are dotted with limestone cliffs and volcanic outcrops punctuated by long stretches of sandy beaches and little coves.
In the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Park, Andalucia's largest sealand reserve, skindiving and salwater fishing are popular activities in its crystal-clear wates, while farther inland the landscapes are mountainous, arid and volcanic. The Tabernas desert, only 25 miles from the provincial capital, bears such a close resemblance to the deserts of New Mexico that it was the backdrop for scores of "spaghetti westerns", hence the fascinating "World of Cinema" excursion so popular among tourists. To the west are mountain slopes, pine forests, trout streams and the soaring Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Tourism today is mainly centred on the city of Almería and the towns of Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce and El Ejido. Almerimar is an outstanding resort centre with all kinds of sports facilities. As for the province's golf courses, whose lush greenery provides a stark contrast with the dry Almerian countryside, especially in summer, these include Almerimar, which was designed by Gary Player, Playa Serena in Roquetas de Mar, Cortijo Grande in Turre near Mojacar, La Envía near the capital, Huercal and Marina de la Torre.