Almeria for £100 a night
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Tucked away on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and with an impressive fortress, a 16th-century cathedral and a multitude of museums and galleries, Almeria is Andalusia’s most underrated city. In the historic centre, a statue of John Lennon marks his stay here in 1966, when he filmed satirical comedy How I Won The War. drinks in many bars come with free tapas, making it a great budget choice.
Where to stay ÷ Aire Hotel and Ancient Baths
This charming small hotel, in a converted 19th-century property in the main square, has 22 stylish rooms with wooden floors, crisp, white bedding and black and white prints. There’s a restored Ancient Arabic baths and spa, plus a roof terrace and pool. B & B doubles from £83, airehotelalmeria.com
÷ Hotel Catedral Almeria
sTANDiNG next to the cathedral, this boutique hotel in a former gothic mansion retains some original features and offers 20 spacious rooms. B & B doubles from £84, hotelcatedral.net
÷ Hotel Nuevo Torreluz
CeNTrAlly located in pretty Plaza Flores, this 98-room hotel is great value. its spacious rooms have wooden floors and neutral soft furnishings. There’s a bar with traditional spanish tiles and wooden beams. B & B doubles from £60, torreluz.com
÷ Murallas de Jayran Boutique Hotel
AN ADulTs-oNly hotel in an old townhouse, which has six rooms with king-size beds. each room has its own style, from Arabic to industrial. There’s a shabby-chic lounge and a rooftop plunge pool. doubles from £67, plus breakfast, murallasde jayranhotelboutique.com
Where to eat ÷ Casa Puga
A TrADiTioNAl tapas bar that’s more than 150 years old. specialities include lomo a la orza (pork with garlic and herbs) and bacon, date and cheese pie. A plate of gambas al pil pil (chilli, garlic prawns) costs £13.50. barcasapuga.es
÷ Bar Bonillo
AN uNAssumiNG little bar renowned for its patatas bravas — fried potato in spicy tomato sauce — a full-size portion costs £10.10. Be sure to try the cuttlefish and pork loin, too. An extra tapa (the first is free with your drink) costs £1.50. Address: calle de Granada 14, 04003
÷ El Quinto Toro
luNCh like the locals at this friendly bar with patatas a lo pobre con huevo frito — fried, sliced potatoes, garlic and onion, topped with a fried egg (£6.30). The octopus in garlic mayonnaise is delicious, too. you can sample the dish of the day for £5.90. Address: calle Juan Leal 6, 04001
÷ Jovellanos 16
This busy little bar with modern decor is popular with locals and tourists alike — it offers traditional Andalusian fare, plus more inventive dishes such as deep-fried cheese with popping candy and caramelised apple. Tapas, such as ribs in barbecue sauce and cod in tomato and pepper sauce with a glass of white wine, cost £3.65. Address: calle Jovellanos 16 Local 1, 04003
How to get there
eAsyjeT has returns from Gatwick to Almeria from £62 (easyjet.com). Buses run from Almeria airport to the city every 35 minutes. The journey takes 35 minutes and costs 89p (surbusalmeria.es).