Nijar
At 250m above sea level, on the
hillside surrounded by lush green fields, Níjar is a
small village with narrow streets and whitewashed houses, known
mostly for its handicrafts. Perched high on the mountain side
behind Níjar is Huebro, a tiny village with an ancient
fort. From here magnificent panoramas can be enjoyed.
The -Nijar
is the major ecological attraction in Almeria. It's a dramatic
20 mile stretch of arid valleys and volcanic mountains, with
the Mediterranean lapping at it's edges. It's the untouched
gem of the Southern Spanish coast.
The park is dotted with hidden
coves and beaches to explore such as San Pedro. You can either
walk there or take a boat around the coast from and sleep on the
beach.
Small fishing cillages in the locality like are wonderful
place to sample the catch of the day. The finest speciality
is Calamres a la Plancha, whole squid chargrilled in olive oil.
With 12,000 hectares of the park
under crystal clear water, it's an ideal spot for scuba diving,
windsurfing, sailing and other water sports.
When to go: Summer is
the time to visit when temperature sore up to 110F, but the
autumn is an equally fine time to visit and enjoy the cooler
temperatures and natural wonders.
Things to See and Do:
The vast salt flats are a birdwatchers paradise with more than
170 different species of birds recorded thoughout the year including
storks, emmets and pink flamingos.
The arid plains outside of Tabernas
bear a remarkable similarity to the badlands of Arizona and
provided a stunning set for spaghetti western like The Good,
The Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars. Many of the original
sets have been left behind and converted into a theme park known
as .
