Published October 23, 2025 | Category: Travel Tips

TL;DR: Alicun is a peaceful Andarax valley village in Almeria, known for its olive groves, mountain scenery and authentic Andalusian rhythm — perfect for slow travel, short hikes and rural discovery.

Alicun Guide. Discover Alicun, Almeria — Nature, Heritage & Valley Tranquillity

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• History & Heritage
• Nature & Surroundings
• Culture & Local Life
• Festivals & Events
• Local Market
• Getting There & Accommodation
• Travel Tips

Introduction: A valley village with deep rural roots

Nestled in the lower Andarax valley between the Sierra de Gador and Sierra Alhamilla, Alicun offers a picture of traditional Andalusian village life. With around 250 inhabitants, it’s one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Almeria — quiet, authentic, and surrounded by olive groves and almond fields that paint the hillsides each spring.

Despite its size, Alicun maintains its own Ayuntamiento (town hall), local festivities, and a handful of family-run bars and shops that cater to residents and weekend visitors. The village’s position near the Diputación de Almería network of rural routes makes it a pleasant stop for walkers exploring the Andarax basin.

History & Heritage

Alicun’s origins trace back to Moorish Al-Andalus, when irrigation channels transformed these dry foothills into fertile farmland. Like other Andarax towns, it witnessed repopulation after the Morisco expulsion and gradual adaptation to the valley’s microclimate. Today, the village preserves its traditional street layout — narrow, whitewashed lanes leading to small squares where the church tower overlooks the rooftops.

The heart of Alicun is defined by the Iglesia de San Sebastián, a 19th-century parish built over earlier foundations. Around it, you’ll find traces of traditional architecture with stone façades and wooden balconies, reflecting rural craftsmanship that still survives in older homes.

Nature & Surroundings

Alicun sits on the fertile banks of the Andarax River, which nourishes its groves of olive, orange, and almond trees. Walking paths link the village to neighbouring towns like Alhabia and Alhama de Almeria, offering scenic views of the valley and the Sierra de Gador’s reddish slopes.

For outdoor enthusiasts, short circular routes follow irrigation ditches and hillside tracks, while longer hikes ascend into the nearby mountains. Spring is especially beautiful, when almond blossoms turn the valley pale pink and white.

Culture & Local Life

Life in Alicun moves at a gentle pace. Mornings start early, with locals gathering for coffee in the plaza or tending to smallholdings. Traditional festivals, local markets, and community meals punctuate the year — offering visitors a warm introduction to authentic inland Almeria.

Although the village is small, residents take pride in maintaining long-standing customs and religious processions, particularly those tied to the local patron saint and harvest season.

Festivals & Events

Alicun celebrates two main fiestas locales each year:

• 20 January — Local holiday (Fiesta de San Sebastián, the town’s patron saint).
• 26 August — Local holiday marking the summer celebrations with music, games, and traditional events.

Visitors during these dates will find the streets filled with music, stalls, and local food, as families and neighbours celebrate in the heart of the village.

For a province-wide overview of upcoming festivities and public holidays, check the
official Almeria Local Holidays 2026 calendar, which includes all major events across the region.

Mercadillo de Alicun

While Alicun itself does not host a large weekly market, residents often visit nearby Alhabia or Alhama de Almeria on market days (Monday and Friday respectively). These markets offer fresh produce, clothing, and local goods — ideal for experiencing the valley’s community life.

Getting There & Accommodation

By car: Alicun lies about 30 km from Almeria city. Take the A-92 and turn off toward Alhama de Almeria, following signs into the valley. Parking is free and easy around the village entrance.
By bus: Limited regional services connect Alicun with nearby towns — check schedules in advance.
Stay: Accommodation options include small rural houses (casas rurales) and guest rooms in neighbouring villages like Alhama or Alhabia.

Travel Tips

• Visit in spring to see the almond blossoms and mild weather.
• Bring walking shoes — most village streets are cobbled and hilly.
• Try local olive oil and almonds sold directly by residents.

Practical Information

• Region: Lower Andarax valley, between Sierra de Gador and Sierra Alhamilla.
• Municipal info: Ayuntamiento de Alicun — contacts, notices and local services.
• Stats & map: Junta de Andalucía — SIMA municipal fiche for Alicun (geographical and demographic data).
• Nearby towns: Alhabia (2.5 km) and Alhama de Almeria (7 km), both accessible via local roads through the valley.
• Tourist info: Diputación de Almería — provincial tourism and cultural resources.
• Emergency numbers (Spain): 112 (General) · 061 (Medical) · 062 (Guardia Civil) · 085 (Fire)

For more village destinations across the province, visit our Towns & Villages.

Published October 23, 2025 | Category: Travel Tips

TL;DR: Alhama de Almeria is a historic thermal-spring village in the lower Andarax valley, set between the Sierra de Gador and Sierra Alhamilla — a calm base for easy walks, spa time and authentic inland life.

Discover Alhama de Almeria — Thermal Springs, History & Valley Life

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• History & Heritage
• Nature & Walking Trails
• Thermal Springs & Wellbeing
• Culture & Local Life
• Gastronomy
• Festivals & Events
• Getting There & Accommodation
• Itineraries & Day Trips
• Practical Information

Introduction: Valley town between two mountain chains

Set in the fertile lower Andarax valley, Alhama de Almeria sits where citrus and olive groves spread between the Sierra de Gador to the west and the Sierra Alhamilla to the east. The municipality keeps an active town hall and services while retaining a small-town rhythm — white façades, a compact center and green huertas irrigated by historic channels. For official contacts and notices, consult the Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Almeria.

History & Heritage

Alhama’s name links to “thermal waters,” and the village has long been known for its hot springs and as a strategic valley settlement. The wider municipality preserves Copper-Age and protohistoric remains — including megalithic necropolises and fortified sites — and later civil heritage such as the neoclassical bridge known as La Puente and the 19th-century spa building itself.

Strolling the historic core reveals terraced lanes, the parish church and houses that still trace water-wise urbanism. Heritage information is periodically published via regional inventories and the town hall channels; for statistical and cartographic context, see the Junta’s SIMA municipal fiche.

Nature & Walking Trails

The river Andarax creates a ribbon of green habitat through otherwise semi-arid foothills. From town you can take flat riverside loops along farm tracks and poplar stands, or climb low ridges for views to Gador and Alhamilla. The valley’s microclimate offers mild winters and dry summers; spring and autumn are prime for easy hikes and cycling between villages.

A classic half-day combines a gentle walk among orchards, a viewpoint at golden hour and a relaxed tapas stop back in the center. Longer day routes link neighboring Andarax villages by quiet lanes and farm roads. (Always carry water and sun protection.)

Thermal Springs & Wellbeing

Alhama’s signature is its historic spa tradition. The Balneario San Nicolás (Hotel-Spa) sits by the valley at the base of Sierra de Gador and channels natural mineral-medicinal waters — a tradition documented for centuries and housed in the 19th-century complex you see today. For treatments, day access and seasonal opening details, consult the official spa site: Balneario San Nicolás.

Culture & Local Life

Daily life runs on valley time: morning errands, a chat in the plaza, irrigation turns in the huerta and long lunches. As a service hub for nearby hamlets, Alhama concentrates cultural programming and admin services; the Diputación de Almería SAT office in Alhama also supports surrounding municipalities.

Expect small exhibitions, sports, and summer cinema — often coordinated at provincial level by the Diputación — alongside local fiestas around the parish calendar. For municipal announcements, use the town hall’s electronic noticeboard (sede electrónica).

Gastronomy — citrus, olive oil & comfort dishes

Menus lean on valley produce and Almerian comfort food: migas on cooler days; olla de trigo and stews; fresh salads with citrus; almonds in pastries and roscos. Bars serve a straightforward menú del día at lunch; local olive oil and seasonal fruit star across the table. In the evening, terraces fill for tapas as the heat drops.

Festivals & Events

Alhama de Almeria keeps a compact but lively calendar of village festivities tied to the parish and summer season. Exact dates can vary each year; check the town hall and provincial listings for confirmations.

For a province-wide overview of upcoming festivities and public holidays, check the official Almeria Local Holidays 2026 calendar, which includes all major events across the region.

Mercadillo de Alhama de Almeria

If you’re visiting Alhama de Almeria on a Friday, you’ll find one of the most vibrant local markets in the Andarax valley. The Mercadillo de Alhama de Almeria is a traditional general market set around the Plaza de España, where residents and visitors mingle among colourful stalls filled with fresh produce, clothing, and household goods.

This market offers a friendly, authentic atmosphere that captures the rhythm of everyday life in Alhama — perfect for browsing local produce, tasting seasonal fruit, and experiencing the social heart of the valley.

Getting There & Accommodation

By car: Around 25–30 minutes from Almeria city via the A-7/A-92 corridors and valley roads. Parking is straightforward in and around the center; during fiestas, use peripheral streets.
Public transport: Regional buses serve the Andarax corridor with limited frequency — plan ahead.
Accommodation: Options include rural apartments and small guesthouses; spa-focused stays center on the Balneario San Nicolás.

Itineraries & Day Trips

• One Perfect Day: Morning riverside loop → coffee in the plaza → spa session at San Nicolás → sunset viewpoint on low ridges west of town → tapas crawl back in the center.
• Valley & Desert Contrast: Combine Alhama’s green corridor with an afternoon in the Tabernas desert film locations; return for dinner in the village.
• Water & Mountains: Follow the Andarax downstream one day; the next, head into the Sierra de Gador/Alhamilla for short ridge walks and photography.

Practical Information

• Region: Lower Andarax valley, between Sierra de Gador and Sierra Alhamilla.
• Municipal info: Ayuntamiento de Alhama de Almeria (contacts, notices, services).
• Stats & map: Junta de Andalucía SIMA municipal fiche for Alhama de Almería.
• Thermal spa: Balneario San Nicolás — treatments, opening info, bookings.
• Emergency numbers (Spain): 112 (General) · 061 (Medical) · 062 (Guardia Civil) · 085 (Fire)

For more inland destinations across the province, browse our Towns & Villages category and check Travel Tips for route ideas and practical advice.