Vera between Coast, Wetlands and History

El Playazo marks the beginning of a distinctive coastal stretch in Vera: the beach is more than two kilometres long and approximately 120 metres wide. Part of the beach is an internationally renowned naturist beach and is described as Europe's first naturist destination. If you consider a holiday apartment in Vera as a base for a variety of day-trip interests, the area offers themes ranging from beaches, nature and history to regional cuisine.

Other destinations: El Pilar, Huércal-Overa, Chirivel, Alcontar, Marchena, El Cortijo Grande, Oria and Vera Playa.

Coast

The Tus Playas de Invierno programme offers activities on Saturdays and Sundays from November to May, including yoga by the sea, outdoor workshops and group games. The specified types of activities and the period can be compared when planning.

Nature

Laguna de Puerto Rey is a Site of Community Importance covering an area of 2.7 hectares and a wetland habitat in the area where the Antas River meets the sea. Salar de los Canos has a birdwatching area and a path that leads through the wetland. Salar de los Canos is also listed in Andalusia's wetland inventory and covers 57.38 hectares. Those wishing to combine nature observation and physical activity will find a range of options here: a path through the wetland, a birdwatching area and Laguna de Puerto Rey.

History and Culture

The Iglesia Fortaleza Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was built between 1520 and 1524 by Moorish builders under the direction of Francisco Capilla. Its Mudejar-Andalusian fortress structure was created for defensive reasons; at the same time, the church has a late Gothic design and Baroque interior furnishings. Its historic altars include the main altar, installed at the end of the 18th century and made of Canadian pine, and the altar of the Virgen de la Victoria.

The restored Fuente de los Cuatro Caños and the washhouse now make up the Centro de Interpretación de la Cultura del Agua, or CICA for short. Vera's Plaza de Toros is the oldest bullring in the province of Almería and was inaugurated in 1879. Inside, the Museo Taurino presents a chronological history of Vera's bullfighting tradition through Trajes de luces, carriages, busts and other sculptures, posters, photographs, documents and models.

The Museo Centro de Interpretación de la Ciudad Medieval de Bayra is located in a hermitage built on the site of a former Muslim cistern. The museum presents the archaeological finds and the documented history of these ruins. Guided tours of the Parque Arqueológico de Bayra make it possible to explore the remains of houses, walls and streets while observing the archaeological work taking place on site. The two offerings have different focuses, ranging from museum presentation and preserved architectural forms to archaeological activity.

Getting Around

Vera's official tourism routes are designed to be completed on foot; on some sections, a vehicle may be used for transport. This difference in means of travel should be taken into account when planning a day, along with the different landscape themes of beach, wetland and archaeological site.

Cuisine

Vera's local cuisine is Mediterranean in character and shows a clear Hispano-Arabic influence from Al-Andalus. Dishes include Guiso de pelotas, Gurullos con conejo and Ajo colorao.

For the broader travel overview: Almeria.