Almería receives far fewer international tourists than Málaga, and its character is reminiscent of the old Málaga before its 1990s transformation. Located in Spain's impoverished southeastern corner, it lies within Europe's only desert and on the edge of the continent, closer to Morocco than to Madrid. A new high-speed rail service from Madrid to Almería is set to arrive in 2027, while the city's docks are being developed over the next few years to accommodate luxury cruise-ships and add green space.
The docks primarily serve as a ferry terminal for services to Algeria and Morocco. Costa de Almería is significantly cheaper than Spain's main holiday hotspots, such as Costa del Sol, according to travel experts at First Choice. A seven-night stay at the four-star Best Oasis Tropical hotel in Almería during early May costs £281 per person, including flights, which is around £290 cheaper per couple than a similar break in Costa del Sol.
significantly cheaper than Spain’s main holiday hotspots
19 (€6) in Marbella. The region boasts a favorable climate, with Costa de Almería receiving more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and only around 26 days of rainfall annually. In May, it gets 93% less rain than Costa del Sol, averaging 1mm compared to 15mm.
Due to its location near the Tabernas Desert, it enjoys a warmer climate and sun-soaked rays weeks before neighbouring areas, as noted by First Choice.
weeks before neighbouring areas