The hilltop Alcazaba's hefty walls and towers dominate the city and command magnificent views.

It was founded during the first half of the 10th century by the Cordoba caliph Abd ar-Rahman.

At the heart is the Segundo Recinto while at the east end is the Ermita de San Juan chapel which was converted from a mosque by the Catholic Monarchs.

The Tercer Recinto at the north-west end of the Alcazaba is a fortress which was added by the Catholic Monarchs. Its thick stone walls and sturdy round towers are in much better condition than the rest of the Alcazaba.

Covering 45,663ha in the southeastern corner of Spain, Cabo de Gata-Níjar is Andalucia's largest coastal protected area, a wild and isolated landscape with some of Europe's most original geological features. The eponymous mountain range is Spain's largest volcanic rock formation with sharp peaks and crags in ochre-hues. It falls steeply to the sea creating jagged 100m-high cliffs, which are riven by gullies leading to hidden coves with white sandy beaches, some of the most beautiful in Andalucia. Offshore are numerous tiny rocky islands and, underwater, extensive coral reefs teeming with marine life.

The Cathedral was designed by Diego de Siloé and built in 1522 over the remnants of the older cathedral, which was destroyed by an earthquake that year. It has an unusual look, indeed it is one of the few fortress-cathedrals in Spain: sturdy walls, buttresses and a broad, plain roof to have cannons installed. The building defended the city and population from the pirate and bereber attacks. It is only embellished by two Renaissance facades by Juan de Orea. The gothic domes and Renaissance sacristy are splendid. The temple contains works of art by Murillo, Ribera, Alonso Cano y Salzillo, as well as the bodies of Saint Indalecius, and, according to the legend, Saint Valentine.

Cuevas del Almanzora is one of the oldest of Almería’s towns with a rich history and a wonderful climate, promising more than 300 sunny days a year and a close proximity to beautiful beaches.

Cuevas del Almanzora’s name comes from caves in the nearby hills where silver miners lived in the 19th century. Some of these caves have been well preserved and are well worth a visit.

The discovery of silver brought prosperity and you can see evidence of this in the grand houses, avenues and churches in the town.