ShoreTrips says...

Alcazaba was used as a movie location for Conan the Barbarian, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as well as other films.

The temperate climate of Almeria combined with the history of the city makes this a relaxing and worthwhile stop. Its location on the southern Mediterranean Sea delivers a very appealing visit as the city itself sits between an historic fortress and the sea. Though the history is fascinating, it is also the development of advanced agricultural techniques and the opening of modern infrastructures that have produced year-round cultivation of fruits and vegetables that has created the bustle and energy that a coastal village-turned-city can offer.

Your drive through Almeria, a white "village," will show you the highlights and the progress, but the lifestyle of Spain, with the tree-lined Paseo de Almeria, remains a draw for young and old. Seeing streets full of people day and night renews the comparison between so many US cities where no one seems to walk. And here, as people pass each other, nods of hello create a familiarity that is comforting and friendly. The parquet de Nicolas Salmeron, which stretches along the harbor, is another spot for people-watching as they make use of their coastal location. One neighborhood, La Chanca, is known as the fishermen's quarter and the houses are built into the rock.

During your tour, you will stop to visit the Cathedral. Built in 1524, it was fortified for raids by the Barbary pirates. The interior has an altar of marble and inlaid jasper installed in 1560 and it is always amazing to see what was created so long ago and how well it lived through time.

Part of your tour will also take you to the La Alcazaba de Almeria. The fortress dominates the skyline and is visible from every part of the city. It was built in the 10th century and contained public baths, a mosque, homes, and a palace. There was also a complex water supply network of wells with waterwheels, cisterns and channels, the remains of which are still preserved. The area that was once a well is now the site of lush gardens. There are 2 compounds and you will see only a portion of the fortress. The views are both stunning and informative.