Villages In Almeria Crowned Among The ‘most Beautiful’ In Spain

From storybook murals to high-mountain trails, 7 mini towns successful Almeria now stock thing uncommon successful Spain – an charismatic seal that says they are worthy a detour.

What nan ‘official seal’ really means

If you thrust nan backmost roads of Almeria this winter, you whitethorn commencement noticing nan aforesaid building connected colony signs: Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España aliases Pueblos Mágicos de España.

According to some associations, these labels are reserved for places pinch outstanding beauty, practice and mundane life – and they are awarded aft on-the-ground inspections by tourism, practice and rural-development experts, not conscionable a social-media vote. The web of “most beautiful” villages now includes Mojacar, Lucainena de las Torres and nan villa of Nijar. Vicar, Enix, Laujar de Andarax and Abrucena person joined nan increasing database of Spain’s Magical Villages.

Nationally, nan “most beautiful villages” web says its Andalucian members person astir 8 cardinal visitors a year, pinch astir a 3rd coming from overseas – impervious that these badges do alteration wherever group take to travel.

From achromatic mazes to upland magic

Mojacar’s aged town is already acquainted to galore EWN readers: a achromatic maze perched supra nan sea, pinch views from Plaza Nueva that agelong crossed nan Levante coast. Inland, Lucainena de las Torres swaps waves for chaotic hills, flower-filled streets and a disused railway reborn arsenic a quiet Via Verde stepping way past aged mining kilns. Nijar combines a hilltop village, religion and quadrate pinch a agelong contented of jarapas textiles and pottery that still draws craft-hunters today.

The “magical” quartet shows a different Almeria. Vicar, declared Pueblo Mágico successful 2022, has turned its streets into an open-air assemblage of murals and fairytale characters, celebrated successful events for illustration Hip Hop Street and Paseando entre velas. Enix, recently recognised arsenic a Pueblo Mágico for 2024, looks retired complete nan Sierra de Gador from conscionable 26 kilometres supra nan capital, its miradores offering large views from a mini village.

Higher still, Laujar de Andarax – often described arsenic nan superior of nan Alpujarra Almeriense – pairs fountains and Moorish-influenced streets pinch riverside paths specified arsenic nan Senda de la Hidroelectrica. Abrucena, connected nan bluish slopes of Sierra Nevada, was hailed by its politician successful Diario de Almeria arsenic “the champion imaginable news” for section tourism erstwhile it joined nan Pueblos Mágicos web successful 2023.

For anyone readying a play distant from nan coast, these 7 officially “bonitos y mágicos” villages connection thing elemental but progressively rare: nan emotion that you person arrived location small, proud and very overmuch alive.

Discover much section news and upcoming events crossed Almeria.