The western extreme of the Almeria province, known as Campo de Dalas, occupies a wide strip of land rich in products grown in greenhouses and under for a genuine economic miracle in the area. To the west of the city of Almeria, and facing to the African continent, the western coastline descends from othe Sierra de Gador range to melt into the Mediterranean along beaches rivalling each other in westernmost coasts of Almeria.
Setting out from the capital, and before arriving at Aguadulce, the coastline becomes more uneven and rugged, with high cliffs from where you can take in a splendid view of the Bay of Almeria. Travelling along the coast road, Almeria gradually disappears behind us, and we pass among numerous hotels hidden away in small coves and tunnles dug fromo the rock. Aguadulce suddenly appears before us, with its attractive port to the forefront. We recommend stopping off here and taking a walk among the plesure yachts, of all kinds and nationalities, and to make your way to the jetty to be able to enjoy an incomparable panoramic view of Aguadulce. A neat holiday complex forms the background to a clean, intensely-blue sea, lapping a shoreline which disappears far to the horizon. Numerous hotels and restaurants tempt us to stay here for a few relaxing days while enjoying the sun, the sand of this beautiful spot.
In Aguadulce the horizon opens onto a flatter area where numerous tourist complexes are to be found in full expansion. The lanscape here becomes very special. The work of man has transformed a former deseer into a genuine emporium of horticultural products which compete in European markets. A sea of plastic sheeting dazzles our sight before running right up to the very Mediterranean shore. Many locals roads, marked finely on our maps, run through this immense city of plastic.
Roquetas de Mar is the next stop on our route along the western Almerian coastline. As has already been noted, many civilizations since Prehistoric times have been attracted by this land and have settled here. Fromo its Muslim past, Roquetas conserves the Torre del Castillo de Santa Ana. A sheltered marina, which extends on from the fishing port, offers many possiblities for maritime sports lovers. Close by the marina, an extensive complex has been built, with attracive buildings which blend in with the environment, where the overriding impression one gets is of the white walls splashed with bright colours. An attractive, full-size golf course serves as the ideal complement to a long beach with its promenade, leading to a fully-equiped tourist complex.
To the left of the west-bound road, we find the Reserva Natural de Punta Entinas (Punta Entinas Nature Reserve), which in summer is home to a wide variety of migratory birds. Now the orad rises a few metrees in order to give us a splendid view of Almerimar, which with its golf course in the foreground, and the marina behind, is situated below us. Yet again, an endless array of hotels and restaurants offer us the possiblity to relax, taking up water sports, tennis, golf and many activities.
Beautiful beaches such as Guardias Viejas, Balerma and Balanegra lead to Adra, a town of the Phoenician origin which enjoyed a golden age under the Romans. Together with the wide range of tourist acitvities on offer here, in particular the marina, Adra also has a large number of camping spaces.
We recomment going inland a few kilometres to get the Campo de Dalas area, with towns such as El Ejido, the Roman "Murgi", or Dalas, with its monuments such as the 16th century Iglesia de Santa Maria de Ambrox, or even Celn, with its typical town centre, lost among crags and cobbled streets.
