When talking about the coast of Almería, names tend to be repeated. Mojácar appears on all lists of its most beautiful towns. Cabo de Gata monopolizes articles about wild beaches. And, meanwhile, Villaricos remains discreetly on the sidelines, like those places that still preserve for the visitor the pleasure of feeling like they are being discovered.
This small district of Cuevas del Almanzora, located next to the mouth of the Almanzora River, barely exceeds hundreds of inhabitants for much of the year. As a consequence, it has some of the ingredients that are increasingly difficult to find in a Mediterranean beach destination: a slow pace, fishing ports where there are still fishing boats, uncrowded beaches and a history that goes back more than 2,500 years.
Of course, there are no big hotels or endless promenades here. What there is are a handful of terraces facing the sea, neighbors who greet each other by name and a coast where it is still possible to find quiet corners even in summer.
Almanzora Caves Tourism
What to see in Villaricos
The first impression of Villaricos comes from the sea. Two small ports, one fishing and the other sports, mark the ends of a pleasant promenade, not very long, from which you can see the boats swinging on especially transparent waters.
The most recognizable building in the town is the Villaricos Castle, a defensive fortification built in the 18th century during the reign of Charles III to guard the coast against attacks by Berber pirates. Restored in the nineties, today it houses the tourist office and a small exhibition hall, but it is still one of the best viewpoints over the coast.
ANESTRELLA
However, the great treasure of Villaricos is located underground. Very few travelers know that Baria, one of the most important Phoenician cities in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, was located here. Founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BC, it became an important commercial enclave thanks to its strategic position and the mining wealth of Sierra Almagrera.
The most visible remains correspond to the Phoenician necropolis, considered one of the most relevant archaeological sites in Spain for understanding the Phoenician presence in the western Mediterranean. The impressive underground galleries excavated in the rock allow us to imagine the importance of this ancient port city more than two millennia ago.
Andalusia tourism
A few steps away you can also find vestiges from the Roman era, such as old facilities dedicated to the production of salted fish, as well as remains linked to the intense mining past that transformed the area during the 19th century.
A town of dark sand and a mining past
The beaches of Villaricos do not look too similar to the classic image of the Andalusian Mediterranean. Dark sand and small gravel of volcanic origin predominate here, a uniqueness that is directly related to its mining history.
Playa de los Dolores, next to the castle, is one of the most accessible and well-known. Nearby is Cala Verde, a small strip of dark gravel where the water is usually surprisingly transparent and where vestiges of old mining infrastructure can still be seen under the sea.
Almanzora Caves Tourism
Those looking for long walks along the water usually head to Playazo de Villaricos, a long open beach where the feeling of spaciousness is especially pleasant even during the high season.
Where to eat delicious and cheap in Villaricos
One of the essential names to eat in Villaricos is La Balsica, located next to the port. Its Mediterranean cuisine based on fish, rice and fresh seafood has made it one of the best-rated beach bar restaurants in the town.
Also worth a stop is Don Tadeo, a Villaricos classic known especially for its rice and fish from the Almeria coast. Even the Repsol Guide distinguishes it with one of its Soletes, something unusual in such small towns.
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For a more casual meal facing the sea, Chiringuito Cala Siret offers tapas, portions and fish in a prime location next to the water. And if what you want is a simple and economical option for tapas, Bar Galeón is one of those traditional bars that are so missed in gentrified places.
What to do around Villaricos
One of the advantages of Villaricos is that it allows you to enjoy a relatively quiet coast without giving up having some of the great landscapes of the Levante of Almería nearby.
Towards the interior appears Sierra Almagrera, a mountain range marked by centuries of mining activity. Its trails allow you to explore old paths used for the extraction of lead and iron while magnificent views of the Mediterranean unfold before your eyes and cameras.
Almanzora Caves Tourism
Towards the south, the beaches continue alternating small rocky coves and extensive sandy beaches. Nearby are also the beaches of Palomares and Vera, ideal for those who want to combine the tranquility of Villaricos with more bustling days at sea.
And if the trip coincides with a Sunday, it is worth visiting the popular local market, which continues to gather residents and visitors in the main square and contributes a lot to maintaining that air of a coastal town that has long disappeared in other corners of the Mediterranean.
Perhaps Villaricos does not have the fame of Mojácar or the influencer photographs of Cabo de Gata. You don't need it either because it has its own charm. It is one of those places that still allows you to find a table facing the sea without booking weeks in advance and truly take a break from the problems of the first world.
Cover photo | Almanzora Caves Tourism
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