Almeria GUIDES

The turismo (Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm; tel 950 274 355) is on c/Parque de NicolEs SalmerEn facing the commercial harbour. They have a list of most buses out of AlmerA­a in all directions, as well as train and boat schedules. AlmerA­a's gleaming new international airport is 8km out of town with a connecting bus service (#14, labelled "El AlquiEn") every half-hour from the junction of the Avenida Federico GarcA­a Lorca and c/Gregorio MaraA±on. There is also a daily boat to Melilla on the Moroccan coast throughout the summer (less often out of season), a six-hour journey which can pay dividends in both time and money over Algeciras if you're driving - information from TransmediterrEnea, Parque NicolEs SalmerEn 19, near the port (tel 950 263 714).

Rooms are not normally difficult to come by at any time of the year, and a good place to start looking is around the Puerta de Purchena, the hub of the modern town. Just off this intersection, the recently refurbished Hotel La Perla , Plaza del Carmen 7 (tel 950 238 877, fax 950 275 816; e¬48-60), is AlmerA­a's oldest hotel. Just behind is a cheaper option, Hostal Nixar , c/Antonio Vico 24 (tel & fax 950 237 255; e¬27-36); ask for a high, airy room. On the square itself, the atmospheric Fonda Universal , Puerta de Purchena 3 (tel 950 235 557; e¬12-18), with a fabulous foyer staircase from its previous incarnation as a minor casa seA±orial , is very basic but clean, while close to the bus station, Hostal Americano , Avda. de la EstaciEn 6 (tel 950 258 011; e¬27-36), is handily placed if you're arriving on a late bus. The Albergue Juvenil AlmerA­a , c/Isla de Fuerteventura s/n (tel 950 269 788; e¬12-18), is a swish new 150-double-roomed affair on the east side of town next to the Estadio Juventud sports arena; take bus #1 from the junction of Avenida Federico GarcA­a Lorca and c/Gregorio MaraA±on. The nearest campsite , La Garrofa (tel 950 235 770; open all year), is on the coast at La Garrofa, some 5km west, easily reached by the buses to Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar (tel 950 343 809; open all year).

When it comes to eating and drinking , the Puerta de Purchena is a great place to head for, particularly at night. On the north side, in a small street, Restaurante Alfareros , c/Marcos 6, has an excellent-value menE for around e¬6. On the opposite side of the junction, there's a popular marisquerA­a, Bar El AlcEzar , Paseo de AlmerA­a 4, with plenty of tapas possibilities. Just in from here, you'll find an alley, c/Tenor Iribarne, filled with tables from many other tapas establishments and, close by, Bodegas Las Botas , c/Fructuoso Perez 3, is well worth seeking out. Alternatively, the RincEn de Juan Pedro , Plaza del Carmen, is one of the town's better restaurants, serving top-quality Almerian specialities. For bars , try the streets around Plaza Masnou off the southern end of the Alameda.