A Place in the Sun

Hot Properties in Albox

Albox is a relatively large municipality in the province of Almería, located 120km from this city, the provincial capital, and 30km from the coast. It is quite typical of this region as a whole, as it retains traditional Spanish culture whilst having a large foreign population (the British expat population is a third of the total here).

When searching for a property for sale in Albox, you'll find that prices start at under €50,000 for traditional Spanish farmhouses, although these may require some degree of modernisation. Slightly more modern villas can also be acquired for €100,000, although more luxurious examples stretch to upwards of €300,000. Most modern builds come with swimming pools, although many properties include sizeable plots of land that could possibly be developed.

Religion, in particular, has had a major influence on this atmospheric Andalusian town, and there are several churches and sanctuaries in the area to be witnessed. These man-made features are set against the natural surroundings, with the Sierra de los Filabres mountain range in particular showing this contrast. Olive groves and orchards are also common in this area, which is renowned for its agriculture, especially as this has impacted profoundly upon the cuisine.

As is customary in this part of Spain, there are several plazas (squares) in the town of Albox, and it is these which contribute to the laid-back nature of life here. Restaurants and bars are mainly Spanish, but there are also other nationalities and cultures visible, with this cosmopolitan feel reflecting the influx of foreigners into the area in the last few years. For those looking to keep fit, there is a sports club with tennis courts and a swimming pool, as well as a separate public swimming pool for the summer months.

The market day here is on Tuesday, with this being a particularly large example for the region. Local dishes of many kinds can be found in the various stalls on the streets, which are generally closed to benefit the events. Meanwhile, All Saints’ Day (Hallowe’en) is also celebrated vigorously here, with a week-long fiesta including many exciting events, including, but not confined to, the serving of a giant paella.

The nearest airport to Albox is Almería, which leaves a drive of approximately 1 ¼ hours to cover 100km. The climate here is extremely pleasant, albeit a little more extreme than further north, with maximum temperatures around 35°C in summer and minimums in winter usually about 6°C; in winter temperatures can drop fairly significantly at night, but during the day they mostly remain warm.