Almería
The city of Almería is located at the foot of a mountain range which is crowned by the magnificent Alcazaba, an Arab fortress built by the Caliph of Cordoba, with three huge walled enclosures (in the second of which are the remains of a mosque, converted to a chapel by the Catholic kings). A large Islamic fort, the Alcazaba, dominates the city and is the main reminder of Almería's heyday when it was the major port of the Cordoba caliphate. It grew wealthy on trade and the textile industry with silk woven from the silkworms of the Alpujarras. In 1489, the city was taken over by the Catholic Monarchs and its Muslim populace soon disappeared. In 1522, Almería was devastated by an earthquake and rebuilding and recovery didn't really get underway until the 19th century. Now Almería is an ultra-modern city offering a vast range of shopping centres, hotels, eateries and a beautiful beach.
Arboleas
Arboleas is a typical Spanish village, located approximately 10 minutes by car from Albox. Arboleas is built along the edge of the Rambla that once ran as the River Almanzora. This quaint and friendly village benefits from a post office, banks, bakery, bars, restaurants, a chemist and a health centre. The local school caters for children up to 14 years and there are free buses that take children to the nearest secondary schools located in Albox & Huercal Overa. A community swimming pool has recently been constructed. The weekly market is held every Saturday morning where you can buy locally grown produce as well as clothes and other housewares etc.
Baza
The largest town in the province of Granada, Baza is rich in Iberian-Roman and Moorish history with many monuments still being around today including the Arabic baths and the ancient fortress of Alcazaba as well as many historical artefacts which are housed in the Museum. Baza is ideal for tourists with a wide range of activities such as hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing, lots of bars and restaurants and unusual places to stay such as traditional cave houses, which are being used as hotels and B & B's. Lake Negratin is also close by and offers water sports and fishing. Various ferias and fiestas are held throughout the year of which 'Cascamorros' is the biggest and most colourful, taking place in September. Baza also benefits from all amenities that you would expect to find including schools, hospitals, theatres and shops as well as the weekly market which offers locally grown produce as well as everything you would need for a house and family.
Cantoria
This Moorish town known as the 'Pearl of Almanzora' is located approximately ten minutes drive west of Albox. Cantoria offers a wide range of amenities including town hall, post office, shops, banks, bars, restaurants, and both primary and secondary schools. Sports facilities include a swimming pool, basketball court and a football pitch. The town also boasts a theatre, has its own fireworks fiesta in the winter and will soon be home to an indoor shopping centre. The small local market is held on Wednesday mornings.
Huercal-Overa
Known as the natural gateway from the north into Andalucia, one of Huercal-Overa's local monuments is an 18th century Arab castle. The town boasts superb facilities such as hotels, restaurants, a modern hospital, large bus station, a community swimming pool and leisure centre. The people of Huercal-Overa take a passionate interest in their Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations. They have their own impressive array of statues and images, the work of some of the most prestigious religious sculptors in Spain, such as Francisco Salzillo. The images form an integral part of the Easter procession, which includes the well-known brotherhoods, dressed in hooded gowns of purple, black and white. The festival now attracts national as well as local interest each year.
Albox is a typical Spanish market town, located approximately 40 minutes from the beautiful coastal resorts of San Juan de los Terreros, Villaricos, Garrucha, Mojacar and Carboneras.
The provincial capital of Almería is located only one hour's drive away, offering further shopping, restaurants and an international airport. All required amenities can be found in Albox including shops, banks, post office, restaurants, bars, schools and a 24-hour medical centre. The nearest major hospital can be found in Huercal Overa, which is approximately 20 minutes drive away. Albox has a municipal swimming pool, a sports centre, and a tennis club. Every Tuesday morning there is a local market selling a wide variety of fresh produce as well as homeware, clotes etc.
Oria
Oria is a small town located approximately 20 minutes drive from Albox. Oria has a town hall, post office, banks, shops, several bars, a restaurant and primary schools and a free bus service to the nearest secondary school in Cantoria. There is a 24 hour medical centre, with the nearest large hospital being in Huercal-Overa. The community swimming pool is open in July and August and the local market is held on Sunday mornings.
San Juan de los Terreros
The popular coastal resort of San Juan de los Terreros is located close to Andalucia's border with Murcia, and boasts a beautiful beach with hidden coves and inlets and crystal clear waters. The resort will soon be home to a new up and coming golf course.
Tijola
Tijola is a large Roman town situated in the Almería province, approximately 25 minutes from Albox. The town comprises shops, banks, bars, restaurants and there are also both primary and secondary schools. The local market is held on Saturday mornings.
Zujar
Zujar is a quiet hilltop village of Arab origin with a natural spring supplying the clear water for the village. The village springs to life at the weekends and even more so on fiestas and during the summer holidays. It is very traditional and offers a very family orientated lifestyle. The village is very safe and children can play safely and teenagers and women can walk the streets freely at night. Everyone greets one another on the street and the atmosphere is care-free with lots of time to chat. The slow pace in Zujar takes some getting used to at first but is very relaxing once adjusted. Zujar benefits from 2 banks (with cash machine), Post Office, two schools (primary & secondary), a doctor's surgery with a District Nurse, main hospital (in Baza), chemist, opticians, local police and Guarda Civil stations and a Catholic church.
Mojácar
This white Arabic town is perched high in the Sierra Cabrera mountain range. The romantic old town of Mojacar with its narrow kasbah streets and courtyards, spills onto the coast where 17km of unspoilt beaches can be found enjoying an average yearly temperature of 20 degrees.
A focal point for artists and writers throughout the ages, Mojacar with its Moorish appearance and commanding views will fascinate, beguile and completely captivate you. An outstanding location as a lookout, which commands the horizon, Mojacar has been a source of envy for many people in the past. Whether it is sailing, fishing, bowling, tennis, golf or water sport that takes your fancy or simply relaxing on an uncrowded beach soaking up the sun, you will find it all and more in and around Mojacar. And with its welcoming atmosphere, it's not surprising that visitors return to Mojacar year after year.
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