Cities

Lorca is also known as the “City of the Sun.” It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The city is dominated by its imposing castle. The castle has marked the border between the Christian Kingdom and the Moorish Kingdom throughout the centuries.Today, it is a lively attraction offering recreational activities, exhibitions, multimedia presentations, entertainment, and people dressed as medieval residents who’ll take you back to the 13th century. Start your visit to the city at the Lorca Visitor Center, where you’ll find everything you need to discover the city, its history, culture, and traditions. There’s a fascinating exhibition and an audiovisual “Journey Through Time” that will get you off to a great start. Unfortunately, the city was struck by an earthquake on May 11, 2010, which damaged many historic buildings—and, sadly, they have not yet been restored. If you’d rather go shopping than soak up some culture, this is, of course, also a great place to do so.

The city of Almería is just over an hour from Albox. The city’s name, “Almería,” is derived from the Arabic term Al-Mariya (“Mirror of the Sea”). It is the capital of the province of Almería. In 2008, the city had a population of 187,521. The coastline near Almería is called the Costa de Almería and stretches 219 kilometers, featuring sunny beaches. The region has the highest average number of hours of sunshine per year in Europe. To the west-northwest of the city lies the Sierra Nevada, and on the other side of it is the city of Granada. Almería has an airport and a racetrack. The city also has a train station. Attractions in and around Almería include the 16th-century cathedral, Alcazaba (Arab fortress), Muralla de Jairan, Sala de Prehistoria (museum of prehistory), Sala de Historia Antigua (museum of antiquity), Torre de los Espejos.

Granada is a 2-hour drive from Villa Damara. Few cities have such a rich cultural history as this one. Evidence of this can be seen in the many monuments and the city’s everyday atmosphere. First and foremost, you can visit the Alhambra and the Generalife, with its beautiful gardens. You can book your tickets here in advance. From the Torre de la Vela to the Silla del Moro stretches a vast area offering a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings: the Patio de los Leones, the Jardines de Lindaraja, the Salón de Embajadores, the Patio de Arrayanes, the Palacio de Carlos V, and the Puerta de la Justicia. The city center bears witness to a Renaissance and Baroque past, as well as many Arab influences. For example, there is the grand Renaissance Cathedral with its Gothic Capilla Real, which houses the tombs of Catholic monarchs as well as a large art gallery. Not far from there, one can find traces of the city’s Arab past: the Madraza, the old Arab university; the Alcaicería, the small market; and the Corral del Carbón, the old market. From the Cathedral to the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, another grand Renaissance building, you’ll find several Baroque churches, such as those of San Juan de Dios, San Justo, and Pastor, as well as a few palaces. Furthermore, the Cartuja, the pinnacle of the Baroque period, is definitely worth a visit. Other attractions include the well-preserved sections of the old city wall and the well-maintained cármenes (villas with beautiful gardens). One of the most beautiful streets in Andalusia is undoubtedly the Carrera del Darro: the river runs along one side, and on the other stand palaces housing the Archaeological Museum, the Casa del Castril, and Arab baths, as well as churches such as San Pedro. The street leads to the Plaza Nueva, home to the Chancillería and the elegant Moorish tower of Santa Ana. Elvira Street, with its antique shops, and the Plaza de Bib-Rambla, with its many kiosks, are also worth a stroll. There are also monasteries and convents, such as Santa Paula and Santa Isabel la Real, and museums such as the Casa Museo de Manuel de Falla. Further north lie the Sierra Nevada mountains, where visitors can enjoy winter sports from December through May. This mountain range is home to the highest peak on the Iberian Peninsula, Mulhacén.