Car Rental - Almeria
Car rental in Almería lets you explore the shores of the Mediterranean in style. As one of Andalusia’s hidden gems, Almería is home to stretches of soft beaches and beautiful coastline. This part of southern Spain is known for its desert landscape that has provided the backdrop for many Spaghetti Western films. There’s also no shortage of things to see in the port city itself, including its remarkable Moorish fortress, Alcazaba.
Almería is not a traditional tourist hotspot, so it’s a great place to explore if you’re looking for a city break with a difference. Car rental in Almería makes it possible to see not only all the city has to offer, but also the Tabernas Desert and the lost gold mines of Rodalquilar, as well as the region’s bounty of beaches.
You’ll find our Hertz car rental pickup location at Almería Airport, just a few miles out of the center, so you can collect your vehicle at the very start of your visit if you’re flying in from overseas.
Almeria Locations
A Quick Guide to Almeria
With its prime location in sunny southern Spain, Almería combines fascinating historical sites with beautiful beaches and plenty more besides. There’s even a ferry port from where you can take an exciting trip to North Africa in your Almería rental car. Almería is a great base for exploring Andalusia, so you can combine the contrasts of the coast and the desert during your stay.
The Highlights of History
If you’re visiting the center of Almería, you’ll find a number of enthralling sites to dive into. One of the most impressive is the Catedral de la Encarnacion, with its imposing towers and parapets. The building combines Gothic and Renaissance influences and was built on the former site of a mosque destroyed by an earthquake in the 16th century.
Park up your rental car and climb the narrow streets to the west of the cathedral to you’ll reach perhaps the most famous attraction in Almería, the Alcazaba. This ancient fortress was built in the 10th century by the region’s Muslim rulers. A former royal residence with three walled enclosures called recintos, it dominates the skyline and can be seen from anywhere in the city. Head inside to see the varied residential, palace and battlement areas.
On a hilltop close to the Alcazaba, you’ll come across the Castillo de San Cristobal. Built in the 12th century as a military fortress, today the structure lies in ruins and is protected as a special historic site under Spanish law. Entry is free and it’s a brilliant place to learn all about Almería’s past.
A Taste of Hollywood
Not far from the city center, just a short drive up the A-92, you’ll find the Tabernas Desert. This vast landscape, with its striking similarity to the Wild West, has been the setting for a number of movies, from Lawrence of Arabia to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Today, the desert is a protected national park and popular tourist hotspot, thanks to the many Western villages that were built for filming here. One of the best-preserved sets can be found at Fort Bravo, created for Sergio Leone’s classic The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in 1966. Film fans might also want to visit Los Albaricoques, a real village used as a location in several movies.
Here, you’ll find forts along the wall, where you can clearly make out the floor plan, and even low walls of the buildings that once stood here. You can explore the barracks, see the hospital and even see ancient flushable toilets.
The Lure of the Coast
Head east out of the city in your Almería rental car to find the maritime park Cabo de Gata. Filled with beautiful areas of untouched natural coastline with volcanic origins, you’ll find idyllic bays and serene water perfect for a swim. Dotted along the coast are many charming little fishing villages and cliffs with excellent views of the Mediterranean and surrounding areas.
Summer is the most popular time to visit this area, but those who are planning a long hike might find it more comfortable in the cooler months. Venturing along the coast takes you to sites including the former gold mining village of Rodalquilar, now home to serene botanical gardens; and the lighthouse at Torre de los Lobos, with its gorgeous views. All of these places are on your doorstep with car rental in Almería.
Driving In and Around Almeria
Our Almería Airport car rental location is just a short drive from the city center, less than six miles via the AL-12. If you’re staying in Almería, you’ll also find that the resort is a great base for exploring the rest of the Andalusian region, including the nearby Cabo de Gata marine park, under an hour’s drive along the AL-3115. Here you’ll find a fascinating, varied landscape with hidden coves, idyllic bays and volcanic rock formations. Some areas of the park have limited road access.
Almería offers easy access to the Tabernas Desert, just 30 minutes or so away via the A-92. This road also connects the city with Seville, around a four-hour drive to the west. There’s also the opportunity to take your Almería rental car on a scenic drive along the coast to some of the region’s beaches, including those at Pulpí, which boast honeyed sands, steep cliffs and tempting azure waters.
It’s worth familiarizing yourself with the rules for driving in Spain before your visit to Almería. As in the US and most of mainland Europe, the Spanish drive on the right-hand side of the road. The speed limit for cars on freeways is 120 km/h (75 mph) and, in built-up areas, the maximum speed is 50 km/h (30 mph), unless there are signs stating otherwise. The Spanish government has recently introduced some stretches with limits as high as 130km/h (81 mph) and as low as 20 km/h (12 mph), but these will be clearly signposted.
Freeways in Spain often include tollbooths, like many other countries in central Europe, but there will be signs that clearly show when you’re approaching one. Our Almería car rental pick-up team will be delighted to answer any questions you may have about paying for these. Spain has laws that state seatbelts must be worn at all times and strictly forbid the use of phones while driving, even if the car is stationary.
