Located just over two hours from Malaga and one and ¾ hours from Granada, Almeria is relatively undiscovered. Possibly its greatest claim to fame is that it has the planet’s largest concentration of green houses, covering an area so large it is visible from space! Although the area is large, in a strange sort of way, it does not tend to detract too much from the beautiful landscapes of the area, but it can be a surprise when a town ends, only to find the last house next to the white plastic screen of a greenhouse wall. The great weather and extensive local produce mean that obtaining fresh fruit and vegetables at the local markets is commonplace, and produce is succulent, colourful and large!
Despite being only Spain’s 30th largest city, Almeria is served by an airport with flights from other major Spanish hubs, and from some UK airports. This means that travelling by plane, especially for international visitors who have to inevitably connect via a major hub such as Madrid, Barcelona or London, is very practical. This makes the region surprisingly accessible for international visitors.
In addition, the areas of greatest potential interest for someone looking to spend extended periods of time in, or move to, the region, are all located between 15 and 40 minutes of the airport.
In 2025, the area remains one of the most affordable southern coastal areas of Spain, with 2 bedroom rentals from less than €700 per month, and 2 bedroom apartments available for purchase at between €100-200K.
Although most international visitors and potential residents are likely to relocate to one of the two destinations with golf courses, located to the east and west of Almeria, the city is a wonderful destination for a weekend or day out experience, with the port area, the well-preserved and presented Alcazaba, the cathedral and the Roman theatre the centrepieces of any visit.
