Almería News

New hotel and residential project approved at Cabo de Gata entrance

Site of planned development at the entrance to Cabo de Gata village, Almería

Published: May 25, 2025 | Category: News

TL;DR: Almería City Council has greenlit a small-scale development project in Cabo de Gata, with a hotel, residential units and protected green zones. The project has passed environmental review.

New hotel and residential project approved at Cabo de Gata entrance

The city of Almería has officially approved the construction of a new hotel and residential development at the main entrance to Cabo de Gata village. The project, which has been under review for years, was finally cleared after all environmental objections were dismissed earlier this week.

📍 Project details and location

The approved site covers 16,700 square metres along the main access road to Cabo de Gata, just before the roundabout leading to the beach. The development will include approximately 3,000 m² for hotel use and 4,000 m² for residential housing, with another 5,900 m² reserved for green public space.

The buildings are limited to a maximum of three storeys (ground floor plus two), in keeping with local zoning rules.

🏗️ A project years in the making

This development has been part of Almería’s official land-use plan since 1998, but faced years of delay due to administrative and environmental challenges. The developer, Sunset Residencial, revived the project in 2023 and secured the necessary permits from both the City of Almería and the regional environmental authorities.

Local officials state that the plan adheres to all current regulations and has undergone impact assessments for the surrounding natural park.

🌱 Sustainability measures

The developer has committed to preserving native vegetation, planting drought-resistant flora, and installing LED lighting along new footpaths. Construction materials and landscaping will be chosen to minimise ecological disruption.

While environmental groups such as Ecologistas en Acción had voiced opposition, their appeals were formally dismissed as part of the planning process.

📅 Next steps

With final approval in place, the project will now proceed to the licensing phase, after which construction can begin. The City Council says it will closely monitor compliance with sustainability commitments throughout the build.

For official updates and municipal planning information, visit the City of Almería’s website.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section or explore the Nature & Environment category.

Looking for broader coverage on local news in Almeria? Visit our Towns & Villages section

Sustainability

Sustainable Projects in Almería.

Sustainable projects Almería and green infrastructure

Published May 28, 2025 | Category: Sustainability

Almería is no longer just Spain’s greenhouse capital — it is now a reference point for sustainable projects in Almería and across southern Europe.

Sustainable Projects in Almería: 6 Bold Plans Shaping a Greener Future

1. New €20.5M Recycling Facility
2. Toblerone Silo Urban Park
3. Mina de la Solana Restoration
4. Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture
5. University of Almería Carbon Plan
6. Smart City & ICC Program

1. New €20.5M Recycling Facility: Circular Economy in Action

Set to open in 2025, Almería’s new recycling facility represents a €20.5 million investment in circular economy infrastructure. The plant will use cutting-edge sorting and processing technologies to transform waste into reusable materials, cutting landfill dependency and lowering the province’s carbon output. It’s expected to serve as a regional model of high-capacity, low-impact waste management.

More details (Spanish): Junta de Andalucía

2. Toblerone Silo Urban Park: Green Space from Industrial Ruin

The abandoned Toblerone Silo, once used for iron ore storage, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Almería is turning this iconic structure and its surrounding zone into a sprawling green urban park. This project enhances biodiversity, provides valuable leisure space, and preserves an important piece of local history—an example of sustainable urban regeneration at its best.

3. Mina de la Solana Restoration: Healing the Sierra de Gádor

In Almócita, the historic Mina de la Solana mining site is receiving €1.7 million in funding for ecological rehabilitation. The Andalusian regional government is leading efforts to stabilize the terrain, replant native flora, and reduce the visual and environmental impact of former mining operations. The site is also expected to host nature trails and serve as a pilot for landscape restoration throughout the Sierra de Gádor.

4. Sustainable Agriculture in Almería’s Greenhouses

Known as the “Garden of Europe”, Almería’s massive sea of greenhouses is going green. Farmers are adopting sustainable practices such as:

Precision irrigation and rainwater reuse
Biodegradable mulching materials
Solar-powered operations
Integrated pest management

These sustainable projects in Almería are reducing environmental impact while keeping the region at the forefront of Europe’s fruit and vegetable production. The greenhouse sector is also experimenting with reflective materials that reduce land temperature and fight local climate warming.

5. University of Almería: Leading by Example

The University of Almería has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% in coming years. Its campus-wide sustainability plan includes building retrofits, solar installations, e-bike infrastructure, and educational programs on climate action. The university is positioning itself as a knowledge hub for green transformation and community involvement in sustainable policy.

6. Smart City Innovation: Almería in the ICC Program

Almería is one of the Spanish cities selected for the European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC). Under this initiative, the city is advancing its digital infrastructure to support:

Smart mobility and public transport
Energy-efficient street lighting and buildings
Citizen engagement through open data dashboards

The ICC program places Almería in an elite group of cities building sustainable futures through integrated urban planning, digital services, and environmental tech.

Almería’s Sustainability Map: A Connected Future

These six projects don’t stand alone. They’re part of a broader regional transformation where environmental goals, public innovation, and smart governance intersect. The synergy between port digitization (Smart Port Almería), green urban renewal, and eco-agriculture is positioning Almería as a testbed for Mediterranean sustainability.

Conclusion

From mountains to greenhouses, from the port to the university, Almería is redefining what a sustainable province looks like. These projects show that with the right vision and investment, even historically industrial or agricultural regions can lead the green transition.

For more on the sustainable transformation in Almería, visit our Sustainability section.

Looking for broader coverage? More Almería news

Almería News

Pulpí Geode to Reopen Mid-June After Safety Improvements

Interior view of the Pulpi geode in Mina Rica, Almería

Published May 26, 2025 | Category: Activities and Attractions

The Pulpi geode will reopen to visitors in mid-June after essential safety works. Tickets are already on sale for the summer season.

Pulpi Geode to Reopen Mid-June After Safety Improvements

The Pulpi geode — one of Almería’s most popular natural attractions — is set to reopen during the week of June 14, following a three-month closure. The site was temporarily closed in March to carry out safety works aimed at preventing rainwater leaks and small rockfalls inside Mina Rica.

According to the deputy mayor of Pulpí, Juan Bautista López, the external reinforcement works are now nearly finished. He confirmed that the reopening may happen even earlier than scheduled, and that ticket sales have resumed via the official Pulpí Town Council.

The geode, located inside an old silver and iron mine, is famous for its massive crystals and delicate structure. “This short closure gave the geode time to rest and reset. We’re excited to welcome visitors back under safer and improved conditions,” said López in a local radio interview.

Visitor numbers are expected to rise quickly, as summer demand is traditionally high for this unique site — considered one of the largest accessible geodes in the world.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section.

Interested in more activities & attractions in Almería? Explore here