The Andalusian Mediterranean coast were very popular with various ancient cultures, such as the Phoenicians who settled at the mouths of rivers communicated with inland regions controlled by native populations. Fishing, trade and fari climate particularly attracted Mediterranean people.
Almeria is a city in the Andalus region of southern Spain. It has a long and rich history. For centuries, Almeria was under Muslim rule, and it became an important cultural and political center in the eastern Mediterranean. During the Bronze Age, the city was an important trading port, and it was home to a number of ambitious rulers. Today, Almeria is a thriving metropolis, with a vibrant culture and a rich heritage.
Near Santa Fe de Mondújar, the prehistoric site of Los Millares with its complex walls, forts and group sepulchres express how important the control of metal resources was right from the beginning. The remains of the city of Bayyana (Pechina) are from a very much later date. It was a trading republic during the 10th century that dealt in slaves, pottery and regional products.
The town of Almería itself inherited this role centuries later; a large Alcazaba was built for protection of its port. Along the coast of Granada, near Almuñécar, the ancient Sexi, there are remains of Phoenician and Punic necropolises at Puente de Noy and vestiges of an aqueduct and a large Roman well (Siete Palacios Cave). The museum in Granada has the best finds from the Phoenicinan burials of the area, including articles of Egyptian alabaster from the 9th century BC, and Greek and Phoenician vessels from the 8th century BC.
Further along the coast in the province of Malaga there is a maginificent cave at Nerja. Not far at Torrox, beside the light house, there are remains of a Roman villa with baths, ovens and some mosaics. At Jardín, Vélez-Málaga costa, there are Phoenician tombs and at Trayamar - Algarrobo costa, there is a hypogean (underground) tomb built with large ashlars. Inland, there are remains of Phoenician settlements.
Our itinerary this time is within Almeria, Granada and Malaga: