Tourist attractions Rioja

The Copper Age site 19km north-east of Almería was once a village. Between 2 700 BC and 1 800 BC it had up to 1 500 inhabitants. You can see the remains of a defence system with walls and outpost forts, as well as ruined circular dwellings, and a ne..

From its ideal location at the top of the hill, the Aalcazaba overlooks Almería and the bay. Abd-er-Rahmán III had the fortress built in the 10C, which was enlarged by Soliman I Musta'in, who created a magnificent Moorish palace. Finally, after the R..

This cathedral seems more like a fortress. It was built in the 16C on the site of a former mosque. Outside, admire the fine Renaissance main portal , and the curious Portocarrero Sun sculpted on the gable. Inside, do not miss the Renaissance stall..

This place has been used as a film backdrop, a typical village in the American Wild West: wooden houses, saloon, bank... Today, shows with fighting and gunshots are held here. A little zoo and African museum have opened nearby.

This square is the nerve centre of the town. Most of the family homes date back to the 19C.

The fine Renaissance portal of this 16C church is very much like that of the cathedral, in both its position and the techniques used. Note the superb relief of St James the "Matamore". The saint's attributes, shells and patriarchal cross ..

This pleasant square with arcades dominated by the town hall only took on its current shape in the 19C, although it already existed under Arab rule with its administrative buildings and bazaars. The central column pays respect to the liberals who d..

Even though it was founded by the Catholic Kings, the current neo-classical church was only built in the 18C. Inside, a balcony under a barrel vault accentuates the long central nave.

The simple portal of columns, the pediment and coat of arms resemble a civic building rather than a church. But inside, the 12C mihrab and quibla wall show that this church was built over the remains of a 10C mosque.

This church, which is part of a former convent founded in the 16C, dates back to the 17C. The tower is from the same period. The baroque portal is decorated with a coat of arms flanked by two lions' heads and ornamental vases decorated with a sun and..

The main street in Almeria is a busy place where early 20C buildings stand next to modern tower blocks. Note the Merchants' Circle , part of which was decorated in 1920, the Cervantes Theatre , the Basilica of Our Lady of the Sea , the School of ..

Behind a simple gate lies a small 17C church. Notice the cupola over the transept, decorated with plasterwork and coats of arms.

A pleasant stretch of green with fountains and ponds alongside the port in an area that was once occupied by warehouses.

The collections are currently partly shown in the Villaespesa Library and the Historical Archives . The Villaespesa Library has material from the archaeological digs in the area, including pieces found in El Argar and Los Millares. The Archives oc..

This is the name given to the railway extension built in the early 20C from the station (fine brick building from the 19C, decorated with tiles and wrought iron) to the quayside and includes a stone viaduct that stands on the line and extends a bridg..

This arid, almost lunar landscape reminiscent of the Wild West comes as something of a surprise between the Sierra de los Filabres to the north and the Sierra Alhamilla to the south. The setting provided the perfect backdrop for the filming of a numb..

The square is the nerve centre of Sorbas. Surrounding it are the 16C Iglesia de Santa María, the town hall, the 19C house of Francisco García Roca and the 18C palace of the Dukes of Alba. From lookout points you have fine views of the river bed, the ..