Almeria
From CruisersWiki
| Almeria Port of Entry
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 Satellite Image of Almeria Harbor |
Almería is a fairly large commercial and fishing port in the district of Andalusia, Spain with a population of 176 338. It is not a tourist town and it seems very few people speak foreign languages. It is on the Costa Del Sol coast.
The name "Almería" stems from al-Meraya (Arabic, "the watchtower"), because of its magnificent Moorish castle, Alcazaba: among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia, only Alhambra is larger. The city was founded by Abd ar-Rahman III of Cordoba in 955 as a principal harbor in his extensive domain, to strengthen his Mediterranean defenses against the Fatimid caliphate in Tunisia. In this period, the port city of Almería reached its historical peak, continuing, after the fragmentation of the Caliphate of Cordoba, under powerful local muslim taifa emirs like Jairan, the first independent Emir of Almería and Cartagena and Almotacin the poet emir, both fearless warriors but also patrons of the arts. A silk industry, based upon plantings of mulberry trees in the hot dry landscape supported Almería in the 11th century and made its strategic harbour an even more valuable prize. Contested by the emirs of Granada and Valencia, Almería suffered many sieges, and one especially fierce when Christians, called to the Second Crusade by Pope Eugenius III, were also encouraged to fall upon the Muslim infidel on a more familiar coast. On that occasion Alfonso VII, at the head of mixed forces of Catalans, Genoese, Pisans and Franks led a crusade against the rich city, and Almería was occupied in October 1147. Within a decade it had passed to the control of the puritanical Almoravid emirs, and though its glorious culture was diminished, not until the late 15th century did it fell permanently into Christian hands, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, December 26, 1489.
The 16th century was for Almería a century of natural and human catastrophes, for there were at least four earthquake— of which the one in 1522 was especially violent— devastating the city. The people who had remained Muslim were expelled from Almería after the War of Las Alpujarras in 1568 and scattered across Spain. Landings and attacks by Berber pirates were also frequent in that century, and continued until the early 18th century. In that time, huge iron mines were discovered and French and British companies came to settle in the area, bringing renewed prosperity and bringing Almería back to a relative importance within Spain.
In the second half of the 20th century, Almería witnessed spectacular economic growth due to tourism and especially to its intensive agriculture with a world wide reputation, which has made Almería products familiar in any quality European market.
Almeria is the driest region in Europe as well as one of the warmest with an average annual temperature of 19° C. Due to its arid landscape, numerous "spaghetti westerns" were filmed in Almeria.
Charts
See Costa Del Sol.
Weather
See Spain.
Passages
Islands
None.
Communication
The port does have port control VHF 16 but it does not appear necessary to access the marina.
Approaches to Almeria are straightforward. Stick to the right-hand side of the main channel when entering and exiting the port.
Entrance
Almeria is a port of entry to Spain. For entering/exiting Spain check with the marina.
If you have arrived from a non-EU country you can present yourself and your crew at the Police Nationale office in the ferry terminal with your passports, boat registration and logbook. An officer there will check covid certificates/PCR tests and stamp any non-EU passports for entry into Schengen.
We have an EU boat so have no experience of the tax office here.
See also Procedures.
Berthing
The yacht marina, operated by the Club del Mar, is the only place to go as yachts are not allowed in the main harbor. Booking in advance may or may not be possible we were told to ask on arrival and they were full.
We were however able to request a berth for an hour after refuelling for the time to go and clear immigration.
If they have no space you can ask to anchor in the basin next to the club. However, this is not likely to be a good long term solution but will do if you need to escape a storm.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
None.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
There is a small chandlery in the marina which has a second larger sister shop. Most things seem possible to acquire but may need a few days, call ahead if you need something specific. Owner appears to speak good English.
Repairs/Yards
There is a Jeanneau dealer within the marina and they also do some repairs.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- The fuel dock, outside the marina breakwater, has working hours 0900 to 1900
- Water
- On the marina docks
- Electricity
- On the marina docks
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The large Moorish castle, the Alcazaba (castle) overlooks the town. It is a "must see" and it is only a 15 minute walk from the marina. It is an Arab fortress built by the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd-er-Rahman, in the 16th century, with three huge walled enclosures (in the second of which are remains of a mosque, converted to a chapel by the Catholic kings). In times of war, the Alcazaba could hold an army of more than 20,000 men. From here, there is a good view of the city's famed cave quarter, Barrio de la Chanca and of the strange, fortified, Cathedral with its gothic style construction and renaissance facade. Within the fortress there is delightful garden.
The fortified Cathedral, in the town, is also worth a visit, as it is on the way to the castle.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- There is a large supermarket in the entrance of a parking garage, just a few blocks from the marina
Eateries
- The Club de Mar (in the marina) seems to run the best restaurant in town, or so we were told
Internet/WiFi
?
Laundry
N/A (Not Available).
Motorbike & Car Rentals
?
Transportation
There is an international airport with flights to destinations within the EU.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Almeria and this page's details validated:
- October 2004 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- August 2021 --duncan_m Chasing Mermaids with S/V Seraphina
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos |
