Last updated: September 2026
Costa Almeria holidays offer Spain’s last great unspoiled Mediterranean coastline — 200 kilometres of volcanic coves, desert landscapes and some of the clearest water in Europe, protected within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The easternmost province of Andalusia gets more sunshine hours than anywhere else on mainland Europe and has largely escaped the mass tourism development that transformed its western neighbours. For those seeking space, silence and raw natural beauty alongside warm beaches, Costa Almeria is in a class of its own.
Costa Almeria lacks the large, purpose-built resorts of other Spanish coastlines — which is precisely what makes it special. The best bases combine convenient facilities with easy access to the natural park and the province’s remarkable landscape.
Mojácar holidays combine two distinct characters in one destination. The hilltop pueblo blanco — Mojácar Pueblo — cascades down a dramatic rocky hill with whitewashed houses, bohemian galleries and rooftop restaurants with views over the desert towards the sea.
Mojácar Playa, 2 kilometres below, has a long sandy beach with a promenade lined with bars, restaurants and holiday accommodation. It suits couples and independent travellers who want authentic Andalusian character with beach access. The wider Almeria coastline is easy to explore by car.
Roquetas de Mar is the largest conventional resort on the Costa Almeria — a purpose-built beach town 20 kilometres south of Almería city with a long sandy beach, a wide range of all-inclusive hotels and good family facilities. It is the most easily bookable resort on the coast, with the greatest choice of UK package holidays.
Aguadulce, just north of Roquetas, is quieter with a good marina and a more relaxed atmosphere. Both suit families and those wanting resort facilities at significantly lower prices than the Costa del Sol.
The northern stretch of the Costa Almeria around Vera Playa and Garrucha offers excellent beaches with genuine local atmosphere. Garrucha is an authentic fishing port with excellent seafood restaurants along the harbourfront. The Marina de la Torre golf resort near Vera is one of the best value golf destinations on the eastern Spanish coast.
Almería city is often overlooked but deserves attention. The Alcazaba — one of the largest Moorish fortresses in Spain, built in the 10th century — dominates the city from its hilltop. The tapas culture in the old quarter is outstanding and unusual: free tapas with every drink is still the local custom. The covered market, cathedral and the Paseo de Almería make the city worth a half-day or full day’s visit from any resort on the coast.
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is the most important protected coastal area in mainland Spain — 37,500 hectares of volcanic headlands, pristine coves, semi-desert scrubland and unspoiled seabed that has been protected from development since 1987.
The park’s beaches are the finest on the Costa Almeria. Playa de los Genoveses — a vast arc of white sand backed by volcanic cliffs — and Playa de Monsul — with its extraordinary black volcanic formations rising from the sand — are among the most dramatic and beautiful beaches on the entire Spanish coast.
Las Negras is a tiny fishing village within the park with a black sand beach, a handful of excellent restaurants and a completely unhurried atmosphere. San José is the main village and service point within the park — accommodation here gives the best access to the finest beaches.
The park’s underwater world is equally exceptional. The volcanic reef and posidonia seagrass beds around Cabo de Gata support extraordinary marine biodiversity — one of the best scuba diving environments in the western Mediterranean. Several dive centres operate from San José.
Access to the park’s remoter beaches requires driving along rough tracks. A 4WD helps on some routes. The park imposes strict visitor limits at the most sensitive beaches in summer — arrive early or visit in shoulder season to avoid restrictions.
Costa Almeria averages 3,000+ sunshine hours per year — the highest total on mainland Europe. The dry, semi-arid climate means rain is rare even in winter, and autumn and spring are warm enough for beach visits. Sea temperatures reach 25°C in August and remain at 20°C well into October.
July and August are very hot — daytime temperatures regularly exceed 35°C in the interior. The coast benefits from a sea breeze but summer is intense. June and September offer the most comfortable beach conditions — warm sea, manageable heat and significantly fewer visitors.
The beaches vary dramatically — from the long sandy resort beaches at Roquetas de Mar to the wild volcanic coves within the natural park. The water clarity throughout the province is exceptional — the low rainfall means minimal river runoff and no agricultural pollution reaching the coast.
All Blue Flag beaches on the Costa Almeria carry full lifeguard cover in high season. Remote natural park beaches have no facilities — take water, shade and sun protection.
The desert landscape of inland Almeria — the Desierto de Tabernas — is unique in Europe. The combination of volcanic badlands, arid scrubland and dramatic dry riverbeds drew Sergio Leone and other directors from the 1960s onwards to film some of cinema’s most iconic Westerns.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and Lawrence of Arabia were all filmed in the Tabernas desert. Two Western-themed parks — Oasys Mini Hollywood and Fort Bravo — preserve original film sets and offer staged gunfight shows, making them good half-day family visits.
The Tabernas landscape is accessible within 30–40 minutes of Almería city and Mojácar. Oasys Mini Hollywood also has a small safari park alongside the film sets — popular with families with young children.
Almerian cuisine draws on both Andalusian and Murcian traditions. Seafood is outstanding throughout the coast — particularly the gambas rojas de Garrucha, the red prawns from the waters off Garrucha port, which are among the finest crustaceans in Spain.
The free tapas culture in Almería city is one of the last surviving in Andalusia — order a drink in any traditional bar and a substantial free tapa arrives without charge. This custom makes the city exceptionally good value for eating out.
Ajo blanco — chilled almond and garlic soup — originated in Almeria province and is found on restaurant menus throughout the coast. Local wines from the Sierra de las Estancias and the Alpujarras complement the local cooking well.
The Costa Almeria’s position between the Mediterranean coast and the interior makes it excellent for varied day trips.
The Tabernas Desert and Spaghetti Western parks are the most popular inland excursion — 30–40 minutes from Almería or Mojácar. Oasys Mini Hollywood and Fort Bravo both offer film set tours and Wild West shows.
Granada and the Alhambra are around 2 hours from Almería city via the A-92 motorway — a long day but manageable. The Nasrid Palaces are among the greatest architectural achievements of the Islamic world. Book timed tickets well in advance — they often sell out weeks ahead in summer.
The Alpujarras — the high mountain villages on the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada — are an extraordinary day trip from the Almería coast. Lanjarón, Órgiva and the high Poqueira Gorge villages of Capileira, Bubión and Pampaneira offer a completely different Andalusian landscape and culture.
Cartagena is 90 kilometres northeast — the Roman theatre, excellent tapas culture and the ARQUA underwater archaeology museum make it a rewarding full-day excursion from the northern Costa Almeria.
Almería Airport (LEI) is the most convenient gateway, with direct Ryanair and Jet2 flights from London Stansted, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and a small number of other UK airports. Flight time from London is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. The airport is 10 kilometres from Almería city.
Murcia Airport (MJV) is a useful option for the northern Costa Almeria — particularly for Mojácar, Vera Playa and Garrucha. It serves several UK airports with Ryanair flights and transfer time to Mojácar is around 80 minutes.
Málaga Airport (AGP) offers by far the widest range of UK flights — but transfer time to Almería city is 2.5 hours and to Mojácar around 3 hours. Viable only if flights to Almería or Murcia aren’t available from your local airport.
Car hire is essential on the Costa Almeria — the natural park beaches, inland villages and most resorts outside Roquetas require driving. The AP-7 motorway connects Almería to Murcia and the A-7 coastal road runs through most resort areas.
| Airport | Almería (LEI) · Murcia (MJV) for north · Málaga (AGP) |
|---|---|
| Flight time from London | Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins (Almería) |
| Sunshine | 3,000+ hours per year — highest in mainland Europe |
| Coastline | 200 kilometres, Garrucha to Adra |
| Best for | Unspoiled beaches, nature, diving, walking, couples |
| Peak season | June–September (June & September best for heat) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Spanish (limited English outside main resorts) |
| Top bases | Mojácar, Roquetas de Mar, San José, Vera Playa, Almería city |
| Must-do | Cabo de Gata beaches, Almería Alcazaba, Tabernas desert, free tapas |
Search4Sun works with leading UK tour operators to find the best value Costa Almeria holidays. Browse departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Costa Almeria deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Roquetas de Mar is the best family base — good beach, large hotels with pools and kids’ clubs, and lower prices than the Costa del Sol. Mojácar suits families with older children who enjoy beach access alongside a characterful Spanish town.
The Cabo de Gata natural park is excellent for adventurous families who enjoy snorkelling, walking and exploring unspoiled beaches. The Tabernas Western parks are popular with younger children. The coast is a less obvious choice for young families than Fuengirola or Benidorm but has real rewards for those who seek it out.
June and September are the sweet spot — warm enough for swimming (sea at 22–24°C), manageable daytime temperatures around 28–30°C and far fewer visitors than July and August. June in particular often finds the coast quiet yet fully operational.
July and August are very hot — temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. If visiting in peak summer, stay near the coast and plan any inland excursions for early morning. October is still warm and excellent for walking and exploring. The Costa Almeria is one of the best autumn sun destinations in Europe.
A hire car is essential. The main natural park beaches at Playa de los Genoveses and Playa de Monsul require driving to the park entrance near San José and then walking 20–40 minutes across a track. In July and August, vehicle access to these beaches is restricted — a shuttle bus runs from the San José car park.
San José village has several small hotels and rental apartments and makes the best base for exploring the park. Las Negras and La Isleta del Moro are smaller, quieter alternatives within the park. Book accommodation well in advance for June to September.
Almería Airport (LEI) has direct Ryanair and Jet2 flights from London Stansted, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. Route availability varies seasonally — summer sees the most UK connections. Check Murcia Airport (MJV) as an alternative for the northern Costa Almeria resorts around Mojácar.
If no direct flights suit your schedule, Málaga Airport (AGP) offers the widest choice of UK departures — transfer to Almería is around 2.5 hours by car, which is long but viable for a 1–2 week holiday.
Most popular full-day tours
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
