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The Alcazaba is a fortress in Almería, constructed in 955 A.D. to defend against raids from North Africa. Almería, which has a population of 168,000, is located in the sun-scorched southeast region of Spain (2). The fortress, which sits on a hillside overlooking the city, is unimpressive from the outside. But don’t let that deter you. The Alcazaba’s interior is impressive with lush gardens, small pools and streams and striking Muslim architecture. There is also an extraordinary view of the Mediterranean port from the rooftops. The fortress is open daily and closed from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (1).

Visiting the Alcazaba is a weekend trip well-worth the effort, especially if you are continuing on to the dramatic, volcanic head of El Cabo de Gata. El Cabo de Gata is a natural parkon the coast, protected sine 1980 for its flora, flamingos and underwater life (1).