A Guide to Almeria (Almeria (Andalusia))

Member Name: richkw

Product:	Almeria (Andalusia)
Date:	28/06/05 (4173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hot!, Cheap!, Not a 'tourist trap'

Disadvantages: Very, very hot!

I wrote the following for a friend who owns a house near Tabernas, Almeria. Pleased to share it with all.

INTRODUCTION


When I embarked upon this guide in October 2004, little did I realize that it would develop into an ongoing project rather than just a one-off task. It wasn't until a further visit to the area in May 2005 that I realized how much was missing from the initial version, particularly in respect of places to go and things to do. Hopefully, you will agree that these issues have now been addressed satisfactorily.

*****

This guide is intended to help you get the very best out of your trip to Tabernas and the Almeria area in general. As time goes on it will be updated as new information becomes available. To this end, I need your help. If you find a location, restaurant or whatever that you feel should be included, let me know. Also, if you find errors or inaccuracies in this guide, let me know.

The province of Almeria is right at the eastern extremity of Andalucia and is one of the hottest and driest places in Europe. On average there are over 330 days of sun a year and, other than the occasional thunderstorm, almost no rain. Shade temperatures in the low 40's Celsius are not uncommon in the summer and even in the winter months temperatures of 25-30 degrees are quite normal in the middle of the day. Only the city of Seville can claim to be hotter, and even that is marginal. As you move inland from the coast, the temperature actually rises. As you approach Tabernas you enter an almost lunar-like landscape with dried river beds and gulches with little or no vegetation. You can expect the temperature to be around 7-8 degrees hotter than at the airport. This is 'El Desierto de Tabernas', the only geological desert in Europe. Further still you reach the mountain ranges of the Sierra de Filabres and, towards Granada, the better known Sierra Nevada.

The Costa d'Almeria has, to a large degree, remained relatively undiscovered by the tourist industry when compared with the other Costas. Primarily this is because of the chronic shortage of water and the inhospitable landscape in general. The coastal plain has largely been taken over by fruit and vegetable producers supplying the supermarkets of Northern Europe. There are over 70,000 acres of former desert now under cultivation with the necessary water being drawn from very deep alluvial wells. There are now obvious signs that the tourist industry are moving in and starting to develop any piece of coastline that is reasonably accessible. However, as said before, they are primarily restricted by the lack of water supply. Until such time as costly desalination plants are established, this situation is unlikely to change.

As far as a holiday in Tabernas is concerned, what can you expect? If you've been used to the ubiquitous package holiday, you're in for a shock! There's no row of gift shops round the corner, no 'theme' bars and no nightclubs. Also, and importantly for some, there's no tour company courier to moan at and solve your problems. You're on your own! What you will get is a wonderful sense of independence and a seriously relaxing break. Virtually no English is spoken away from the coast, so knowledge of a few basic Spanish words and phrases are useful. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to do, but you've got to look for it.

Hopefully, this guide will set you well on the way to a memorable holiday.

Enjoy!

Richard Walton
June 2005


MAPS & GUIDE BOOKS

There are no comprehensive English language guide books specifically aimed at Almeria that are available in the UK. The Rough Guide to Andalucia contains a good Almeria section and is probably the best buy. It's available from most decent bookshops such as Smiths and Waterstones. You can also order it online from Amazon. Other tourist guides either ignore Almeria completely or just give it a cursory few paragraphs. Once you get to Almeria, you will find that most tourist type shops stock English language guides. The bookshop in the airport, situated in the Departure Hall also has a reasonable selection.

As with guides, decent maps of the area are not readily available in the UK. Michelin Sheet 446 - Andalucia/Costa del Sol isn't bad but at a scale of 1:400,000 lacks important detail for the more adventurous. Most Costa del Sol maps from the AA and other major UK companies may have Almeria on their eastern edge, but almost as an afterthought and really are a waste of money. The Spanish equivalent of the Ordnance Survey, the Instituto Geografico Nacional, produce a good map on Almeria province at a scale of 1:200,000. The only place I've seen it in the UK is in Stanfords in Covent Garden in London. Amazon have a small selection available - search for either 'Almeria' or 'Cabo de Gata'.

Once in Spain, maps are readily available in most large petrol stations and many shops. However, beware! Many Spanish maps are at least 2 years out of date and may not include all the new motorways funded by the EU since Spain discovered that bottomless pit where all your tax goes! An easy way to ensure that you get an up to date map is to look and see if the A92 Almeria-Granada motorway is shown. If it is, buy the map. If it isn't, the map is at least 3 years out of date!



USEFUL WEBSITES

Flights

Ryanair www.ryanair.com (from Stanstead)
Monarch www.flymonarch.com (from Gatwick)
Easyjet www.easyjet.com (from Stanstead)
British Airways www.britishairways.com (from Gatwick)
EUjet www.eujet.com (from Manston to Murcia)

British Airports Authority www.baa.co.uk (check your flight's not delayed)

M25 traffic situation www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/travelinfo/m25.shtml


Car Hire

Holiday Autos www.holidayautos.co.uk (reliable and good value)

Airport Parking

Holiday Extras www.holidayextras.co.uk
(book your car parking in advance)

Maps & Guides

Stanfords www.stanfords.co.uk
Amazon www.amazon.co.uk

Weather Forecast

Weather Underground www.wunderground.com/global/stations/08487.html (accurate 7-day forcast for Almeria Airport)


COST OF LIVING

The cost of everyday living is, as a general guide, ⅔ of that in the UK. As a generalization, if something costs £5 in England, the same item will cost €5 in Spain, away from the main tourist resorts. Basic food items such as bread, milk etc. are even cheaper when compared with the UK. The big hypermarkets in Almeria offer the best value, but even the small shops in Tabernas have excellent prices.

Eating out is also far cheaper than in the UK with the average 3-course evening meal costing around €20 per person. Obviously this figure will vary depending on the type of establishment.

When Liz and I went in May 2005, apart from petrol, in a week we spent roughly €175 on food, beer, wine etc. plus a further €100 or so eating out and around €75 on days out. I'm sure it could be done for less (or more!), but we do like to eat well. Certainly, €300 - 400 would allow 2 of you to have a very comfortable holiday provided you didn't eat out every night.


GETTING THERE

By Air

The nearest airport to Tabernas is Almeria, some 18 miles away and this guide assumes throughout that this is the route most visitors will take. Almeria is served by Ryanair, Easyjet, Monarch and British Airways from either Gatwick or Stansted. Flight time is around 2½hours. Costs vary greatly depending on when you're flying and how far in advance you book, so it's well worth shopping around.

Alternatively, you can fly to Murcia which is around a 2½ hour drive from Tabernas. Murcia has the advantage of being served by EUjet from Manston as well as Ryanair from Stansted and British Airways from Gatwick.

By Car

If cost is a primary concern, traveling by car from the UK is not really an option. Firstly, there's the cost of the ferry fare from either Dover or Portsmouth depending whether you want to start in France or Spain. You must then consider fuel cost, motorway tolls, probably 2 overnight stops each way, food etc.

If cost is not an issue then taking a few days to meander through France and Spain can add a further dimension to your holiday. The overall distance from Calais to Tabernas is between 1260 and 1300 miles, depending on which route you choose, and will involve up to 25 hours actual driving. The other option is to take the ferry from Portsmouth to either Bilbao or Santander, thus cutting out France. With this option the mileage would be between 575 and 650.



CAR HIRE

There are several car hire firms with desks at Almeria Airport. Stick to the better known names to ensure you get a decent motor and not a basket job! By far the easiest and cheapest way to book a car is via the internet before you go. Try the Holiday Autos site at www.holidayautos.co.uk. Cost for a 4-door Peugeot 307 with air conditioning during May 2005 was about £125 per week. When you take possession of your car, it should have a full tank and any damage should be noted on the hire document. If the tank isn't full or there is damage, any damage, show it to the hire staff before you drive it. When you return your car, make sure the tank shows full and, if you've incurred any damage, agree a price with the hire company before you leave. Big surprise hits to credit cards after getting home are not uncommon.

If you decide to book the car when you get to Almeria Airport, try Europcar for a decent car/deal. Avis are very expensive.

Useful tip…………

When you fly in, it saves a lot of time if the car driver goes straight to the car hire desk while the other members of the party collect the baggage from the carousel. As soon as people start coming out of the baggage collection area, long queues form at all the car hire desks. At roughly 10 minutes per customer, a lot of time can be wasted.

Baggage trolleys at the airport need a 1 euro coin to release them, so try and acquire one before you leave the UK.

IDIOTS GUIDE TO THE AREA

TABERNAS



Tabernas is a small, working town/large village about 2km from the house. It is the nearest place for your basic everyday shopping requirements.


At the beginning of the village you'll find the nearest petrol station, which also sometimes has barbeque charcoal (Carbon Vegetal). Just past the petrol station there's a dentist - just in case! A little under 1km, the main street narrows and you'll see the tobacco shop on your right (fags from €22 for 200). There is an excellent bakers virtually next door open from about 7am. You can park virtually outside the bakers for a few minutes, but bear in mind that if the kerb is painted yellow, you shouldn't really park there. There's a bank opposite with a cashpoint just inside the outer lobby. Crusty bread bought in the morning will be hard as rock by the evening, so buy little and often.


Further along, on the left is the church square with a good bar and a small mini-market next door. Further still, there is a small parking area on the left by the Police Station and a narrow turning just after down which you'll find the small 'Supremo' supermarket which has a reasonable range of everyday items.


There is a food market every Wednesday morning in the church square. There are a couple of banks with cashpoints nearby.

About 400 yards further down the main street you'll see a sign on the left to the Medical Centre which is next to the library and suitable for minor ailments etc.
Telephone 950-365215 from a Spanish landline or 0034 950 365215 from your English mobile.



EVERYDAY SHOPPING

The cost of everyday goods in the Almeria area is much cheaper than in both the UK and the Spanish resorts. Fresh food such as meat and fish is excellent value and of good quality, especially when bought from the larger super/hypermarkets. Depending on the season, most fruit and veg will be locally produced, particularly in the smaller shops.

Almeria city has a wide range of shops to meet all needs. To make life easy, try the 'Mediterraneo' complex, which also houses the Alcampo hypermarket. Alcampo is part of the French Auchan group and stocks everything you're likely to need from food to clothes, car tyres to televisions. The fresh food section is particularly impressive, with a superb range of fresh meat and fish ideal for the barbeque. It's also worth getting charcoal (Carbon Vegetal) and firelighters at Alcampo as both can sometimes be difficult to obtain in Tabernas.

To get there from Tabernas, head down the motorway towards Almeria. Take the Almeria/Malaga exit onto the A15. Exit at the first junction signed to Almeria. Take the 3rd. exit off the roundabout signed to Heurcal de Almeria which goes back under the A15. After about 3km, you'll see a Jaguar and Landrover dealership on your left followed by a large roundabout. Take the 3rd. exit (left). After 500m, the road bears right. Go through the traffic lights to the next roundabout. Take the slip road next to the 2nd. exit. The shopping complex is on your right.

There is also a large 'Carrfour' hypermarket a little further on. Go past the 'Mediterraneo, through about 3 sets of traffic lights and it's down a side road on your left. It is signed, but none too clearly.

REMEMBER!! If you intend to use a credit or debit card in the supermarkets, you will need to carry your passport as ID.

There are a number of small towns within striking distance of Tabernas such as Nijar, Sorbas and Vera to name just a few. A good map is essential. See Page 3.

PETROL

The nearest petrol station to the house is in Tabernas village. There's also one at the junction with the motorway and another 5kms towards Sorbas on your right. Cost is around €0.90 per litre as at May 2005. If you are driving a petrol engined car, look for the 'Gazole' pump. If it's a petrol car, use the 'Sans Plomb' pump.

PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO SEE

It was difficult to know how to set about this part of the Guide and how much detail to go into. In the end I decided to break it down into 4 main sections, Beaches, the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Nijar, Towns & Villages, Film Sets and Other Attractions. I have tried to include the main places of interest within an hours drive of Tabernas. I have not included the city of Almeria quite intentionally as there is not much to say about it other than it's a fairly typical Spanish coastal city without much to attract the tourist other than a moderately interesting old quarter. The explorers among you will find many places that I've either not yet discovered or have decided to ignore as there is not enough about them to warrant more than a cursory glance.


BEACHES


There are good, safe, sandy beaches both to the east and west of Almeria city. Your choice should be based on the facilities you require. The main resorts within sensible traveling distance are Roquetas, Retemar, Carboneras and Mojacar. There are also many smaller, quieter beaches within the Cabo de Gata National Park which are well worth exploring.

To the west of Almeria


Roquetas de Mar is the Costa d'Almeria's answer to Torremolinos with innumerable bars, restaurants and night clubs all designed to relieve you of as much money as possible. It does, however, have a superb beach and is great for kids.


On the coast road between Roquetas and Almeria City you'll find Playa de Aquadulce which is a bit more up market and rather more attractive, with a good beach and plenty to offer families.

To the east of Almeria


The beaches immediately to the east of Almeria are far less developed and, apart from the rapidly expanding resorts of Mojacar and Retemar offer a much quieter prospect.

Retemar is, at the moment, mainly a resort directed at Spanish holiday makers. Its beach is superb and, along with the building of a vast number of holiday villas and low-rise apartment blocks, all the usual beach facilities are also being integrated. Despite the building work which doesn't intrude too much, it is a good option for a day at the seaside with the kids.

Mojacar is slightly more up market but with all the expected facilities. The western end has the best beach. Mojacar also has the advantage of a very pleasant old town on the hill a couple of kilometers back from the beach which is slowly becoming quite a tourist trap but is, nevertheless, well worth a visit.

Carboneras, to the west of Mojacar is essentially a Spanish holiday destination with little or no sign of English influence. Out of season, you'll have the long sandy beach virtually to yourself. The promenade is traffic free and has a good selection of bars and restaurants. The town has a good although smallish shopping centre. Well worth a visit.

Within the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Nijar

Cabo de Gata, to the east of Retemar has a couple of miles of superb sandy beach but with virtually no facilities. At the village end, there are 2 bar/restaurants right on the beach by the old Moorish fort. Other than that, there are no facilities, just 4 or 5 kms of sand and crystal clear waters with no shade, so take an umbrella, bottled water, beer, food and sun-block!

San Jose can be reached on foot via the lighthouse at Cabo de Gata, or by car from the N344 road which runs parallel and to the south of the main E15 motorway. San Jose was once a quiet, working fishing village. The property developers have now arrived and built a small marina, apartment complexes and holiday homes. However, because the village nestles in a cove between cliffs, there is a limit to the commercialization and the smallish beach area remains very pleasant. There is a selection of good fish restaurants by the marina which serve a myriad of seafood. An English/Spanish dictionary is useful for reading the menus. If in doubt, order mixed grilled fish - delicious!

La Isleta is a small fishing village to the east of San Jose. The beach is small, sandy and very quiet. The village has a few bars and a couple of restaurants.

Las Negras is another small fishing village with a good beach. Similar to La Isleta, but it has more of a traditional Spanish village feel about it, with little modern development.

Agua Amarga, between Las Negras and Carboneras, has, I am told, a very good beach with some facilities. I have not been there yet, so would welcome any feedback should you try it out.

Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Nijar

The Cabo de Gata - Nijar Natural Park is a 30km long coastal strip immediately to the east of Retemar, made from a sub-desert mountain range which has produced some of the most wonderful beaches and coves in Spain. The park covers some 38,000 hectares of land and another 12,000 hectares of which is under water. It is sparsely populated with only around 3,500 inhabitants. When it was declared a marine and land nature reserve in 1987 stringent building restrictions were put in place thus precluding large scale commercial and tourist development. In consequence the park remains one of the last truly unspoilt regions of coastal Spain. There is a Visitor Centre on the road between Retemar and the village of Cabo de Gata which is worth a visit.

Other than a wide range of quiet and secluded beaches, some of which are included in the 'Beaches' section, there are many other places of interest worth a visit. The following list is by no means exhaustive but will give you a good basic idea of what to expect.

Salinas del Cabo de Gata

From the village of Cabo de Gata, the road continues along the beach and around the cliff edge to the lighthouse where there is a viewing platform on a high promontory. On the left of the coast road there are vast salt flats which attract over 170 species of birds throughout the year including the majestic pink flamingos. At certain times up to 3000 individuals gather in the shallow salt pans. There is a purpose-built hide for birdwatchers which is signed from the beach road. The beach here is great, but with absolutely no shade or facilities.
There are a couple of beach bars and restaurants.

Rodalquilar

The Romans found gold at Rodalquilar around 2000 years ago. Mining finally ceased in 1960 and restoration of the old mining village is now in progress. Although there isn't a great deal to see, a wander through the old village and around the works is interesting and well worthy of a stop.
Los Albaricoques

Not a lot here except a couple of bars and a single small restaurant with a good reputation, but if you have any interest in the Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960's it's a 'must see'. Sergio Leone used the village for scenes in 'A Fist Full of Dollars' and more extensively in 'For a Few Dollars More' where it became Agua Caliente, El Indio's hideout after the robbery of the Bank of El Paso. The stone circle where the final shoot out took place can still be seen as can the streets depicted in the films, which are little changed despite the passing of over 40 years.


Cortijo del Fraile

One for the Culture Vulture!

Cortijo del Fraile became the setting for events that were to be picked up by Federico Garçia Lorca in his chilling play 'Blood Wedding'.

The tenant farmer who lived here in 1928 angered his elder, married daughter by offering a larger dowry for his second, plainer child. A conspiracy was promptly hatched: the brother-in-law would offer marriage and split the dowry with the elder sister and her husband. But on the wedding day, the bride ran away with her cousin, planning to return after the consummation and claim the dowry. As the pair set out at night, they met with the sister and her husband. The cousin was shot twice in the head, the bride left half-strangled.

More recently, in 1966, film director Sergio Leone used the Cortijo del Fraile for a scene in his classic western, 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly'. It also featured in 'For a Few Dollars More'

The easiest way to get there is to follow the sign at the crossroads in Los Albaricoques. You soon run out of tarmac, but the continue along the dirt road for about 3 or 4km and you'll see the Cortijo on your left. If you carry on, bearing to the right, you'll end up at Rodalquilar. It is signed, but none too clearly. I would suggest you don't try to get there from the Roldaquilar end. I tried and got lost - there are no signs!

The Cortijo de Fraile is a beautiful old building and worth a visit but, sadly, now slowly falling into ruin having been neglected for many years.





FILM SETS

Back in the 60's and 70's, the area around Tabernas was used extensively for scenes from some of Hollywood's greatest adventure films such as 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'El Cid' and, most famously, the Clint Eastwood 'spaghetti westerns'. There are 3 main sights which have been preserved and are open to the public.

By far the largest is 'Mini Hollywood' where the town scenes from 'For a Few Dollars More' and 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'were filmed. It is run on the lines of a small theme park, with daily re-enactments of western scenes by Spanish actors. They're a bit amateurish but fun nonetheless. There is also a very good zoo which has recently been seriously upgraded and provides a good environment for both animals and visitors. A visit to the reptile house when the pythons are being fed is an experience not to be missed. Just thank your lucky stars you're not a rat! Entry is €17

'Western Leone' is the smallest of the 3 sites and set in a spectacular landscape. Western aficionados will recognize the saloon as the McBain ranch from 'Once Upon a Time in the West' which starred Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson. Behind the saloon is the location of the final shootout between Fonda and Bronson. This site is still in use and a new french western is being filmed there in November 2004. Entry is about €11. Probably not as good value as the other two sites.

Finally, there's 'Texas Hollywood' which is visible in the distance from the N344 just before Tabernas. Although this is the scruffiest of the 3 sites, it looks and feels much more like an authentic wild west town. It is still in use as a filmset. Most recently, David Beckham's Pepsi TV add was filmed there. It's not been tarted up for the tourists like the other two, although there are regular shows both in the street and the saloon. There is also a recreation of a Mexican village and frontier fort. Entry is €12.

Whatever, they're all great fun!



SORBAS

Sorbas is a small town on the N344 about 25km from Tabernas built on an inland cliff top. There is an interesting Visitor Centre with a small car park from which it is an easy walk up the hill into the town. It has a pleasant square with a good bar/restaurant and many quaint old streets, but not much else. However, it is well know for its potteries which are well worth a visit. Prices are very cheap but check your purchases carefully as much of what's on display are 'seconds', the best stuff being exported or sold in the coastal 'rip-off' gift shops.

NIJAR

There are 2 routes from Tabernas to Nijar. Wimps will use the E92 motorway to Almeria, then the E15 towards Murcia and follow the signs. Real men will head towards Sorbas and take a right 17kms from Tabernas and cross the Sierra de Alhamilla. The town will appear after about 15km and after a few dozen hairpins and sheer drops at the side of the road. The faint hearted should take a change of underwear.

Nijar is firmly established as a tourist 'must go to'. The long main street is lined with pottery and gift shops. Although much of the pottery on sale is genuinely locally produced, you need to be careful what you buy as much pottery and giftware is imported from the Far East. Stick to local designs from the obviously more up market shops and you won't get ripped off. In a road parallel to the main street you'll find the ceramic workshops.

The real bargain in Nijar are the 'Harapas'. These are large blankets/throws locally woven from rags. They are produced in a myriad of designs, colours and sizes and are ridiculously cheap when compared with anything similar in the UK. The best shops for harapas are located at the lower end of the main street. The further up the street you go, the dearer they become. Expect to pay between €15 and €25. They're heavy, so watch your baggage weight allowance when you fly home.

TRADITIONAL VILLAGES

Turn right at the Tabernas junction and you'll pass, on you right, one of the largest solar energy generating sights in Europe. After 5km, turn left towards Senes. This is a typical Andalucian hillside white village with a maze of narrow streets. It is completely untouched by the tourist industry and well worth a visit to see what rural Spain was before the tourists got there. There are several bars in the village. Nearby, are the villages of Castro de Filabres and Velefique which are similar.

FURTHER AFIELD

If you fancy a good day out taking in villages, towns, beaches and the landscape in general, try the following. To complete the whole tour, allow a full day.

If you fancy a longer day out or maybe an overnight stay, making good use of the excellent Spanish motorway system it is a good option. Granada is around 200km from Tabernas and takes around 1½hours. A visit to the Alhambra, described as the 'absolute height of Arab architecture in Spain makes the trip worth while. If you have the option, buy your tickets to the Alhambra online before you go - it gets seriously busy with long queues. There are 2 visitor sessions, morning and afternoon. If you choose the afternoon, you wont be allowed in until 2pm. So plan accordingly.

On the way to Granada you'll pass the town of Guadix, famous for its cave dwellers. If you do visit, please let us know whether it's worthwhile as we've only read about it so far!

West from Almeria the motorway will take you to Malaga and the Costa del Sol, around 170 miles away. Other than the resorts of Torremolinos and Fuengirola, take a look at Nerja to the east of Malaga which is altogether a much nicer place. A visit to the local caves is spectacular.

Inland, try the white villages of Frigiliana near Nerja and Mijas in the hills above Fuengirola. Further west, Ronda and Casares make smashing places to visit.



RESTAURANTS

Remember, the Spanish eat late. Many restaurants don't open until 8 or 9pm and don't get busy until around 10pm.

There's not a great deal of choice near Tabernas, however there are 2 restaurants within easy driving distance. Firstly there's the Castillo de Tabernas about 2km from the village on the right towards Sorbas. It's opening hours seem rather random, but the food's good. It also houses an olive oil factory and museum.

2km from the village towards Sorbas and on your left is the 'Venta del Compadre' (affectionately known as The Queens Head) which does excellent food very reasonably priced. Their house wine, sold by the carafe, is very good and very cheap. Try the lamb, pork and goat. Avoid the fish!

Further on towards Sorbas, about 7km from the village on the right just before the petrol station is a large Hostel with a good restaurant attached. A better and cheaper alternative is to eat in the hotel restaurant itself which really is very good indeed. On weekends they have lamb shank on the menu - go for it!




GOLF

I know absolutely zero about golf other than it's about belting the sh*t out of a little white ball with a stick (called a bat, I think) until it disappears into a hole in the grass. Anyway, for those of you who want to incorporate golf into your holiday, you have a number of options within an hours drive of Tabernas, but no courses in the immediate vicinity. The following was copied directly from the internet so I can't verify its accuracy. However, the site concerned seemed reasonably up to date.

ALMERIMAR GOLF
Urbanización Almerimar. 04700. El Ejido , ALMERIA.
Tel. (950). 48 02 34.....Fax. (950) 49 71 10
Located in the Almerimar Tourist Complex, 6 kms. away from El Ejido and on the sea side, this course, opened in 1976 has a beautiful landscape because of the gardens and trees of the Complex.
It has broad and shaded fairways surrounded by the exuberant complex vegetation adding difficulty to greens approaching. Well positioned bunkers and water traps, being hole 12th. one of the most challenging as the green is in the centre of a lake, giving a tee-shoot 100 metres of water.
The club has a splendid bar and restaurant service, swimming pool, tennis courts and buggies, clubs and carts to hire.
It was designed by Kirby-Player and Associates, and under the chairmanship of Mr. Takeyuki Kawaguchi, it is managed by D. Pedro Zamarra with the technical help of Juan Parrón.
The four stars Almerimar Hotel is in the same complex, and Almeria airport at just 48kms. away.
CORTIJO GRANDE GOLF
P.O.Box 2, TURRE.
04639. TURRE, ALMERIA.
Tel. (950). 46 81 76.....Fax. (950) 47 91 76

Very near the sea side, between Turre and Mojacar, Cortijo Grande Golf Club was designed by Paul Jay Polansky and opened in 1976.
This is a flat nine holes course winding through groves of orange and lemon trees, and it is under the management of Mr. Bernie Dobson. Although the club house is not yet built, there is a very close bar-restaurant, and so is the Mojacar National Inn (Parador Nacional de Mojacar).
PLAYA SERENA GOLF

Urbanización Playa Serena.
04740. ROQUETAS DE MAR., ALMERIA.
Tel. (950). 33 30 55.....Fax. (950) 33 30 55
Five kilometres from Roquetas de Mar, in the Playa Serena Complex, was opened in 1979 this 18 holes course designed by Angel Gallardo and Peter Allis, is mainly flat with small sloping greens, most of which are protected by sand and water traps. Winds from the east and west make it a considerable challenge.
Under the chairmanship of D. Francisco Mendoza and the management of D. Enrique J. Ruiz Roca, the club offers a splendid bar-restaurant, shops and swimming pool, together with the facilities of buggies, carts and clubs to hire. The club professional is D. Francisco Parrón.
DESERT SPRING GOLF
Urbanización Playa Serena.
04618. CUEVAS DE ALMANZORA., ALMERIA.
Tel. 950 46 71 04.....Fax. 950

Summary: