Arboleas Area Guide

Arboleas Area Guide

The Almeria province of Spain, much less developed than the Costa del Sol, attracts buyers seeking the “real Spain” because of the authentic villages and unspoilt landscape. Arboleas is a small town sitting amongst olive groves and almond trees on the riverbank of the Almanzora River in the valley of the same name.

It’s a medieval village - along with the nearby town of Albox - that has long popular with British buyers - although its origins can be traced back to prehistoric times, through to the Romans, Moors and Christians. The old town has several local tapas bars and places to eat - including the Humbugs cafe that sells English breakfasts and fish and chips - as well as boasting all the typical Andalucían qualities that many British buyers like: cobbled streets and beautiful Moorish-inspired architecture, including an ancient church constructed in the late 1400s.

The village has all the amenities you require for day-to-day living including supermarket, bakers, medical centre, chemist, banks and a weekly street market on Saturdays. The British community joins in the local fiestas, and many have made their home in an area, especially in Arroyo Aceituno, the entrance to a pretty valley with an expanding residential community of villas.

Expect to get a detached villa with a pool for €200,000, or even for much less - there’s an awful lot for sale below this budget so shop around carefully and do not scrimp on full legal checks on any rural homes in this area.

It’s an easy location from which to explore the mountains behind it, or the coast, with its string of seaside resorts along with authentic Moorish palaces and pueblo blanco – white villages. It’s a stretch of relatively unspoilt sandy beach flanked by palm trees, promenades, and numerous chiringuitos. There’s also not much rain to spoil the fun - this is a dry corner of south-east Spain and thousands of years of arid weather has given it a rugged, American West-like look.

The popular town of Vera closest - within around half an hour’s drive - but also the fashionable Mojacar and Garrucha the nearest beach towns.  Access by air is good with three international airports within relatively easy reach: Almeria, Murcia and Granada – and there’s a decent motorway system.  Golfers might want to take a trip to the well-known resort of Desert Springs where Ian Botham and many other British people own homes.

In summary, this region is not for everyone, but if you like lots of sun, a taste of authentic Spain, at an affordable price, it’s a good alternative to the villages behind the Costa del Sol.