It's hard to discover new lands these days, especially when it comes to Spain. The Costa de Almeria is a relatively new destination for family holidays, but it's one that's taken care of thoroughly. In addition, nature favours a good holiday: sandy beaches, warm sea and a mountainous barrier from the cold winds from the continent. If you're tempted to explore new shores, find out what makes the Costa de Almeria a good holiday destination for children.
Costa de Almeria on the map of Spain
The Costa de Almería is the coast of the easternmost province of the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located in the south of Spain, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. To the west of the Costa de Almeria is the Costa del Sol, and to the northeast are the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.
Photo: https://www.beachtravelwine.com/
The distance from the provincial capital, Almeria, to Roquetas de Mar is 21 km, to Adra — 40 km, to San Jose — 50 km, to Mojacar — 85 km, to Malaga — 202 km, to Murcia — 218 km, to Alicante — 290 km.
The Costa de Almeria is still in the limelight, and resorts are now developing an infrastructure that will delight even the most discerning traveller. Many of the region's tourist facilities have already been awarded the Q Mark by the Spanish Tourism Quality Institute, which indicates a high service standard.
Costa de Almeria for Kids
A holiday in the Costa de Almeria is the most relaxing holiday imaginable. No temptations in the form of tourist attractions, no special entertainment, but the hotels are so comfortable and the beaches so peaceful that you can finally forget all your worries.
Hotels are one of Almeria's two plus points:
- They are newly built, with all the modern requirements in mind.
- They pamper their guests with an all-inclusive concept.
- They make sure children are not bored during siesta hours.
- There are facilities for babies and toddlers.
Good hotels are the thing that keeps tourists coming... in winter. Yes, the Costa de Almeria is also a low-season destination for children. Swimming in the sea is replaced by swimming pools, and the weather is quite suitable for walks and excursions. A second plus in Almeria is the sandy and incredibly long beaches with clean and gently sloping bottoms. The beaches at the larger resorts have playgrounds for children.
But the plus is not even in this, but in how much free space is on the shore. Here will not have to seek out a free patch to relax with a child (but there is no room to turn in in neighbouring resort areas in the summer). The downsides to the Costa de Almeria include inconvenient transfers and a need for more entertainment. Travelling to a holiday destination can be simplified by renting a car on arrival. As for children's entertainment in the Costa de Almeria, you have to rely on what is available in the hotels.
Best time to Travel
In Spain's beach resorts, it's logical to holiday in the summer. The high season in the Costa de Almeria is in summer — yet there's always a secluded spot on endless beaches. In peak season, visiting resorts is undesirable just because the heat makes it hard to spend time outdoors.
The best time to visit the Costa de Almeria is in the first half of September when the heat is gone, and the sea is still warm.
If you can't imagine a beach holiday without swimming in the sea, we advise you not to rush to the season's opening in the Costa de Almeria. The water gets very warm only in the second half of June.
Weather and Climate
A glance at a map will give you an idea of the climate of the Costa de Almeria. Almeria is on the exact parallel as Rhodes and Antalya, with the same gentle Mediterranean lapping at its shores.
With 320 days of sunshine a year, it never rains for long stretches. The mountains protect the coast from the heat of the Tabernas Desert, though the heat does reach the shore. The warm season starts in the second half of May. By this time, the temperature rises to around +24-25°C. However, the daytime warmth gives way to a cooler evening, so pack a light jacket or jumper for your child.
July and August are the hottest months, which is not ideal for a holiday with a baby. In June, the temperature rises to +28°C. The thermometer readings during this time jump to +30° C in the morning and may reach +32-35° C during the day. The sea breeze may ease the heat, but the beach and some outdoor activities are better left for the morning or evening.
The Costa de Almeria, on the other hand, is well worth planning a holiday for September. Temperatures are still high at the beginning of the month, around +30°C, but by the end of September, it's moderately warm, around +25°C.
The best holidays in the Costa de Almeria with children are in the first half of September when the heat slowly dies down, and the sea is still very warm.
The beach season ends in October, although the air retains temperatures of +20-25°C. The dry, sunny weather in October suits a holiday with an infant in the Costa de Almeria. In November, a lull in the resorts lasts until April. Temperatures drop to around +16-17°C in winter and warm up again to +19-21°C as early as March/April.
Sea Temperature
The Costa de Almeria has an essential advantage over the neighbouring resort region of the Costa del Sol: the Atlantic cold currents do not reach it, so the sea warms up well in summer. However, the opening of the holiday season will have to wait until at least mid-June. In early summer, the sea temperature is only +21°C, but with the onset of hot weather, the water warms up quickly.
By July, the water temperature in the Costa de Almeria reaches +23-24°C, and children can't be lured away.
The sea gets even warmer in August, with temperatures ranging from +24°C to +26°C. The warmth accumulated over the summer continues into September. Although the water gradually begins to cool down, even at the end of September, the temperature is still around +23°C.
Food
Almeria hotels are often compared to Turkish hotels because of the extensive use of an all-inclusive system. There is usually a buffet where you can choose the right food for your child. Even the most fussy children will eat whatever they are given. Meals outside the hotel are slightly less popular. But what about an unusual dinner? Nearby Almeria is La Gruta, a restaurant located in a real cave. If you're thirsty, you can drink from the clear water tap next to the Moorish fountain in Mojacar.
Food can be bought in the markets, supermarkets and shops if you plan to cook independently. Almeria has plenty of big shops, and other resorts usually have at least one supermarket.
Getting Around
Public transport in the Costa de Almeria is not well adapted to the needs of tourists. In the regional capital, Surbus city buses run within the city. A single ticket costs €1.05 (this also applies to tickets for children); with a Bono Bus card for ten trips, the price drops to €0.74.
There is no public transport in the other towns — thankfully they can be bypassed on foot. Intercity transport in the Costa de Almeria is ALSA buses. Another carrier in the province is Consorcio de Transporte Metropolitano Area de Almería (CTAL).
ALSA buses' fare depends on the distance; e.g., a ticket from Almeria to Malaga costs around €10.
Tickets on CTAL buses cost less, ranging from €1.35 to €7.25, depending on how many zones you cross. For example, on the way from Almeria to Roquetas de Mar, the bus crosses two zones and Cabo de Gata three zones. The ticket price will be €2 and €2.95 respectively. The CTAL website has a timetable: you should check it, as some routes only run a few times daily.
The best way to get around the Costa de Almeria is by car. If you're going on excursions to Malaga or Granada, it's easier to travel by car.