Different stories come together in Cuevas Del Almanzora: a castle combines military fortifications with a stately residence, museums are devoted to art and archaeology, and mining heritage also shapes the range of subjects explored in Villaricos. There is also a hiking trail, a beach and opportunities for water sports. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first whether architecture, archaeological history or activities on and under the water should take centre stage.
Castle, Art and Archaeology
The Castillo del Marqués de Los Vélez, also known as Castillo de Cuevas del Almanzora, was built as a fortified complex after the Christian conquest of the Kingdom of Granada. The palace within the castle was constructed between 1517 and 1520. It combines the function of a military fortress with that of a stately residence—a combination that makes the building not just a defensive structure but also a place to live.
The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo A.M.C. is located inside the Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Antonio Manuel Campoy houses more than 600 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. Artists represented include Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Jesús de Perceval, Pedro Bueno, Tapies and Joan Miró. The range of art forms offers a broader way into the collection than an approach focused solely on painting.
The Museo Arqueológico de Cuevas del Almanzora offers a different focus: it displays finds and materials from sites in the municipality, particularly from the Bronze Age, the Argaric culture, Baria and the Phoenician-Roman period. Guided tours with commentary are adapted to all visitor groups. The Cueva Museo, in turn, ethnographically interprets the way of life of cave dwellers up to the mid-20th century. It displays significant household items and tools. Archaeological finds and an interpretation of more recent local heritage thus offer distinct ways to explore the area.
Archaeological and Architectural Traces of Time
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was built in the 16th century on the site of a former Arab mosque. It is protected as a historic-artistic monument and as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). Two dates help distinguish the past from later recognition at the Argaric settlement of Fuente Ãlamo: it dates from approximately 2200 to 1600 BC; in 1996, it was classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Archaeological Zone category.
Villaricos also offers a tangible archaeological connection. Five of the 15 hypogea still preserved in Spain can be visited in the Phoenician necropolis. These tombs, carved into the rock, were intended for wealthy families. The Palacete de Don Torcuato Soler Bolea presents a different picture of civic architectural history: it is an outstanding example of 19th-century residential architecture. The building has three storeys. Notable details include the columns at the main entrance, wrought-iron grilles on the windows of the first upper floor and a continuous balcony on the second upper floor.
Cuevas Del Almanzora’s Semana Santa includes the traditional live performance La Judea. The festival was declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia in 2003. If you are travelling specifically for this occasion, check the exact festival dates in advance.
Hiking Trail, Coast and Water Activities
The Ruta de los Reforestadores is an officially approved tourist hiking trail: its stated length is 12 kilometres, its duration 150 minutes and its difficulty level low. The time estimate can help you fit the trail into your day. Another option for those interested in landscape and industrial history is the coastal path along Villaricos. It leads to the remains of the Fundiciones de la Costa de Villaricos, including ore-washing facilities, warehouses, furnaces, chimneys, small viaducts, hoppers, landing stages and a chapel.
Playazo Villaricos is a sandy and rocky beach. Its dark rocks point to the area’s mining past, and the beach is next to the castle. Visitors with disabilities have access to an easily accessible entrance, and parking is also available. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. These features make it a different kind of outing from the archaeological collections or the buildings in the townscape.
At the Cuevas Del Almanzora reservoir, Lunar Cable Park offers water sports such as wakeboarding, kayaking and AquaGlide. It is also home to the only cable-ski facility in AlmerÃa province. Activities from Villaricos take visitors to underwater sites featuring seagrass meadows, extensive areas of orange coral, sea anemones and various types of algae. When choosing activities for your trip, you can distinguish between what is on offer at the reservoir and the underwater habitats off Villaricos, rather than treating them as the same experience.
In Villaricos, the Castillo de Villaricos (Torre de Cristal) was acquired by the municipality in the early 1990s and subsequently renovated for use as a tourist information centre and exhibition hall. Together with the coastal and industrial heritage, it adds another perspective on the town’s history to its archaeological and architectural themes.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Pozo Del Esparto, Vicar, Alcolea, Huesa, El Campillo De Rodalquilar, Antas, Adra, Purchena.
Go to the main travel overview: Almeria.
