Almería promises year-round sunshine, a genuinely Spanish pace of life and property prices that still compare favourably with most of the Mediterranean coast.
Tucked into the southeast corner of Spain, Almería is one of the country’s least developed stretches of coastline – and that’s precisely its appeal. While its neighbours along the Costa del Sol have grown into well-established expat strongholds, Almería has held onto a genuinely Spanish identity: slow lunches, weekly fiestas, Moorish castles on the skyline and a sense that life here moves at a pace you choose, rather than one imposed on you. For buyers who want their money to go further without sacrificing quality of life, it deserves serious attention.
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What life in Almería actually looks like
Almería suits people who want to be outdoors. The landscape shifts dramatically across the region – you can walk coastal paths in the morning and be in semi-desert terrain by afternoon. Horse-riding, sailing and dolphin-watching trips are all within easy reach, and the sheer scale of undeveloped countryside makes the region popular with anyone who finds more crowded parts of Spain overwhelming.
It also attracts a creative community.
That quality of light, combined with relatively low living costs, has made Almería popular among painters, writers and musicians who want space to work.
Day-to-day life is centred on the rhythms of Spanish culture. There are several fiestas every week, and there’s the Moorish history with at least 20 castles in the region, plus fantastic food. In 2019, Almería was the Capital of Gastronomy in Spain, so there are many events tied to local produce.
The overseas community here is smaller than in other parts of southern Spain, but it does exist, particularly in Mojácar and Arboleas – both of which have interest groups, live music nights and the usual social infrastructure that forms around British and northern European buyers.
The climate
Almería receives around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year – more than almost anywhere else in Europe – and the city of Almería holds the distinction of being the only city on the European mainland classified as having a desert climate. Temperatures stay comfortably in the mid-twenties from April through to November, peaking around 33°C in summer. Winter days are mild, with a daily average of around 13°C and regular highs in the high teens through December and January.
The property market
Almería is consistently one of the most affordable parts of southern Spain. Entry-level options include small townhouses and village apartments from around €50,000 (approximately £43,000), which can make practical lock-up-and-leave holiday homes. For buyers looking for more space, a two- or three-bedroom villa with a small garden and pool – ready to move into – starts from around €140,000 (approximately £119,000) inland. It’s worth being clear-eyed about one thing: property values here tend to rise slowly, so Almería is better suited to buyers searching for the right home than those targeting rapid capital growth.
Where to buy in Almería
Mojácar
Mojácar is the region’s most popular location among overseas buyers, and it’s easy to understand why. The old hill town is a classic Andalusian pueblo blanco, with whitewashed houses stacked on a hillside, narrow streets shaded against the heat and townhouses that often have sweeping views across the surrounding landscape and out to sea. Mojácar Playa, down on the coast, is a different proposition – a more modern resort with new-build developments right on 17km of beach where you can comfortably swim into October. The Parque Comercial covers everyday shopping needs, and the Paseo del Mediterráneo has a solid run of bars and restaurants.
Garrucha and Vera
A short drive up the coast, Garrucha and Vera offer a slightly less busy atmosphere than Mojácar without sacrificing beach access. Garrucha is a working fishing town with a good mix of local and British residents; the properties here tend to be Spanish-style apartments, which work well as lock-up-and-leave homes. Vera is divided between an older inland village and Vera Playa, a largely modern, planned seafront settlement made up of urbanisations – practical for rental purposes or for buyers who want amenities on the doorstep. The Puerto Rey end of the area has some well-regarded detached and semi-detached villas.
Arboleas
Inland in the Almanzora Valley, Arboleas has built a reputation as one of the most popular locations for British buyers in the region. Life here is quieter and more rural, but the A-7 motorway gives straightforward access to the coast. The town itself has flats and townhouses with a predominantly Spanish character, while the surrounding urbanisations offer more variety. Los Higuerales is the place to look if you want a large villa with mountain views; Los Corroscos and El Chopo are greener settings with Mediterranean-style properties, and Almanzara works well for those who prefer a more walkable base with a local bar or restaurant within easy reach.
Lubrín
For buyers who want genuine value and a strong sense of local community, Lubrín is worth a look. Traditional village houses and countryside cortijos start from around €50,000 (approximately £43,000), and the village itself has the feel of an unhurried Andalusian pueblo – narrow streets, closely built houses designed to stay cool in summer and a handful of good tapas bars including La Montana and La Finca Listonero. There are British families living in the area, but Lubrín remains largely Spanish in character, which suits buyers who are serious about integrating into local life.
If Almería sounds like the right fit, the next step is understanding how to buy safely and get your money working for you from the start. Speak to one of our property and currency specialists to get tailored guidance on both.
