Beaches of Vera
The coastal zone of Vera takes an important position within the Levante of Almería. Shielded by inlets the beaches of Vera, known for their crystal-clear water, are situated in the foothills from the Sierras of Almagrera and Cabrera. By maintaining carefully the five kilometres of shore the community achieved the blue flag for its beaches: bestowed by the European Union as a sign of top quality.
The beach-zone begins in the north ( where the residential estate "Pueblo Salinas" is located). Further down southbound there's the so-called "Playazo": thousands of square-metres of sandy beach up to the estuary of the river Antas. The estuary generates a small laguna, which is used by birds and ducks to take a rest on their migration flights between Europe and Africa.
Excursions
Sierra Maria. Situated in the north of the province of Almeria. Located on the northern extreme of the province of Almeria, the Sierra Maria forms the central point of the Sierra de María, the Gigante and the Pericay and is extended through the municipal districts of Chirivel, María, Vélez Blanco and Vélez Rubio. It's part of the Marquesado de Los Vélez which explains the richness of its artistic and documentary heritage. The area has one of the most important archaeological heritages in the province with prehistoric sites as outstanding as the Cueva de los Letreros, the Gabar and the Molinos with rupestrian Neolithic paintings and Cueva Ambrosio, an old workshop where hunters stayed during their incursions from the Mediterranean coast inland.
The strong contrasts of this landscape are particularly appealing. The plateau of Velez, backbone of the park and origin of its biological variety, is interrupted by numerous small mountains.
Rio de Aguas y Karst en Yesos de Sorbas. Situated in the east of the province. The Karst enclosure owes its beauty above all to the Aguas River and the tributary streams that join it. The deeply incised river passes through vast layers of gypsum and canyons where small pools and ponds appear and never dry. The "Karst en Yesos" (i.e.: chalk-mattock) is fringed by three mountain ranges: Sierra de Cabrera, the Sierra Alhamilla and the impressive mountain mass Macizo de los Filabres.
The vegetation is very peculiar since the features of the ground have favoured the appearance of new species.
Natural Preserve Cabo de Gata - Nijar.
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar park covers an area of 20.000 terrestrial hectares and 12.000 marine hectares, and extends from the extreme East of the bay of Almeria to the Southern part of the Sierra Cabrera - through the districts of Almeria, Níjar and Carboneras, forming a group of landscapes unique in Europe, since it has an extraordinary botanical, zoological and archaeological variety. The reserve includes seaside villages like San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, San José, Las Negras, Los Escullos, La Isleta del Moro and Agua Amarga - all with magnificent beaches. The village of Níjar is renowned for its textiles and pottery.
