Almeria is a city located in the south-east of Spain (significantly south of Alicante) in the province of Andalusia. The city itself is not very big, it lives about 200 thousand inhabitants, but there are some attractions that take attention.
In my article I will focus on two interesting places that Almeria offers - on an ancient fortress, which may be interested in those who love history and ancient facilities, as well as on the thematic amusement park (including the village stylized under the Wild West, the zoo and mini Waterpark), which is suitable for anyone who loves to challenge - from children to adults.
Alcazaba
One of the main attractions of Almeria is an Almersa fortress, which is also called Alcasab (Alcaaba is a defensive structure, which is inside the city and served as a residence for the ruler).
This fortress was laid back in 955 by Khalif, as a defensive structure. In ancient times, Almeria flourished, being a port city and engaged in trading.
The fortress was the residence of the caliphate.
It has several levels.
At the lower level, the gardens are now, and before there was a military camp. At the eve of the level there was a government, which managed the fortress.
The fortress, of course, deserves attention - in it there is still a spirit of antiquity, because the walls and buildings remained to us since the time of its construction. Alcasab rises above the city, so it offers great views of Almeria, as well as on the sea and the port. Inside it is quite well maintained, no dirt and garbage. At the entrance to tourists issue booklets in English or Spanish. Inside there are toilets, as well as machine guns for the sale of food and drinks (the latter is especially necessary on hot days).
There is in Alcasaba and the garden with trees, where you can break a little from the scorching heat.
By the way, the tracks inside the fortress are quite stony, so in order to feel comfortable for a walk it's worth putting on a sports, and the main closed shoe without a heel is best of all sneakers or sneakers. In the shoes on the heel, it is absolutely unrealistic, in open sandals or sandals, too, is also not very - all dust settles on the legs, and you can easily turn the leg.
How to get
You can get to the fortress both by public transport and personal (that is, by car). It can be reached by bus number 1 (Linea 1), which stops right at the entrance. You can also use a taxi service - it's enough to tell the ALCAZABA taxi driver, and it will immediately understand where you need.By car to the fortress can be reached, following the signs to the historic center (Centro Historico) and the Fortress itself (its full name in Spanish - Conjunto Monumental de La Alcazaba de Almeria). Unfortunately, there are no parking about Alcasaba, so it's not very convenient to go there by car.
From the historic center to Alcasaba, you can easily reach and walk - it is located on Almanzor Street (Calle Almanzor).
Timetable timetable and cost of tickets
From January 1 to March 31, Alcazab is open to visit from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 17:30, on Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 15:30. On Mondays (except holidays), access to the territory is closed.
In the period from April 1 to June 15, Alcasaba can be hit from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 19:30, on Sundays and holidays from 9 to 15:30, on Mondays Alcasaba is closed (except again, festive days.
In the period from June 16 to September 15, Alcasaba can be viewed from Tuesday to Sunday, the same schedule also operates on holidays from 9 to 15:30, if any event is held on the territory, the time of work is extended to 22:00.
In the period from September 16 to December 31, from Tuesday to Saturday, Alcasab is open from 9 to 17:30, on Sundays and holidays from 9 to 15:30.
Alcasab is closed for visiting the following days: January 1 and 6, May 1, 24, 25 and December 31.
The cost of tickets for non-EU citizens is one and a half euros, for citizens - for free.
In general, I would recommend visiting Alcasaba to those who are interested in history, antiquities and fortresses. Do not expect too much from her, because the excursions in Russian is not held there, and there is no large number of explanations, so you can only count on information from the booklet (it is issued in Spanish and English) and that you have learned from the Internet before visiting fortress.
Oasys Mini Hollywood.
This is an amusement park, which includes a zoo and aquapark (all in one bottle), located near Almeria.
The entire park is made in the style of the Wild West, there is saloon, the Cabinet of the Sheriff, Prison, the Cemetery, the show in Western style. In the park there are disguised actors, with which you can take a picture (for an additional fee, of course). A show in the style of the Wild West is held, children really like, although the plot is quite cruel - there is a gallist and other attributes of that time.
The zoo is rather big and very well-groomed, animals look satisfied. In order to comfortably feel on the territory of the park, you should take comfortable shoes with you, and if you go there in the summer, you need to take as much water as possible, be sure to use sunscreen and wear a headdress.
The water park is small there, literally one swimming pool with two slides, but in the heat there can be placed well (especially after walking through the whole park in the heat).
If you feel bad to heat, you may need to choose to visit the spring or autumn park, when it is not so hot in the outdoors, as in the summer and you can safely walk without fear of getting a sunnd.
Opening hours and ticket costs
In the summer, the park is open to visitors from 10 am to 21, and in winter only on weekends from 10 to 19 hours.Adult ticket will cost 22 euros, for children from 3 to 11 years old there is a discount - they can visit the park for 12 and a half euros, there are also discounts for pensioners.
How to get
The park is located in the desert, and you can reach it on the highway number 340 A (in Spanish Carretera Nacional 340 a) 464 kilometer. The most convenient, of course, get to the park by car.