Almeria

Direct flights from Stansted to Almería take around 2 hours 55 minutes, arriving at Almería Airport (LEI). Ryanair operates non-stop flights from London Stansted. Jet2 has also scheduled direct flights between May and October 2027. Connecting options are available if a direct flight does not suit your dates.

Almería sits in the far south-east of Andalusia, on Spain's Mediterranean coast. The area is renowned as Spain’s sunniest province and enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Just north of the city lies the Tabernas Desert, a landscape of dry ravines, ridges, and arid badlands.

The impressive fortress of Alcazaba overlooks the city from a hilltop site. Built in 955 under the Caliphate of Córdoba, this impressive structure is considered Spain's second-largest Muslim fortress after the Alhambra. Its historic walls envelope sprawling gardens, cisterns, and the enthralling remains of a former palace city.

Film-buffs will enjoy visiting the Tabernas Desert which has a long connection with cinema. The picturesque spot provided the perfect backdrop for Spaghetti Westerns which were filmed here from the 1960s onwards. Here you can also visit the Oasys MiniHollywood zoo reserve, which began as a film set and now operates as a Western-themed park within the desert landscape.

After days of exploring, enjoy the distinct tapas traditions of Almería, in one of the many restaurants or bars. In many of the city's bars, you can savour a free tapa with every drink. Try sumptuous local dishes such asgurullos con conejo, a pasta and rabbit dish and ajo colorao, a thick purée made with potato, skate, garlic, tomato and dried peppers.

Wash down the local cuisine at one of the vineyards around Laujar de Andarax that produce wine under the Vino de la Tierra Laujar-Alpujarra designation. White, rosé, and red wines are made in the foothills between Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Gádor and often served in the surrounding bars and restaurants.