In the past five or six years, the population of Vera has increased by close to 4,000 people. In the past year alone, the population rose by 60%, most of the immigrants are from South America. As the population continues to grow, Vera is certain to become a hot bed of tourist activity.

 

With over 10,000 residents, this charming seaside municipality bustles with activity throughout the year. Vera is a destination that should be on your itinerary.

 

Vera sits on the eastern side of the province of Almería. Nestled between the Alhamilla and Carbrera Mountains, Vera is bordered by both mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Vera’s very location allows the municipality to offer breathtaking views from all areas!

The history of Vera dates back dozens of centuries. Each area has its own history as settlers looked for the community that best fit his or her needs. Those craving success in fishing or agriculture settled near the river. Those seeking to create crafts from the natural resources opted for the mountains. Finally, those wishing to make a living in trade or salt-water fishing chose the seafront.

 

Vera dates back to the Paleolithic Age. Artifacts from this period have been found throughout town. There is also proof of man’s existence during the Bronze Age. Eventually, the Carthaginians settled in the area. They continued a long history of mining the mountains for lead and silver. As is true throughout history, their success brought the eye of the Romans who attacked and killed or banished the Carthaginians.

 

Under Roman rule, Vera continued to thrive.   Silver mining reached an all-time high, but by the 8th century, the mines were pretty much cleansed of the precious metal. Moors (Arabs) had been entering the area for some time, and they took over control. The Moors thrived until the Christian armies launched a war that would kill many.

 

When the dust settled, the Moors were forced to live in the outskirts of the town they had once called home. As Christians worked to rebuild the population, they also dealt with repeated attacks by the displaced Moors.

 

Tariffs demanded by the kings began to rise drastically, and many Moors opted to leave Spain and return to their ancestors’ original home - Africa.

If you are traveling with children, you must spend a day at Parque Aquatico Vera. This water park is packed with water slides, flumes, and wave pools. The slides range from the thrilling Kamikaze to the less challenging kiddies slides. The water park is open from May to September.

 

If you happen to be in Vera in the month of September, you will not want to miss the nine-day Celebration of San Cleofás. The celebration dates back to the 1500s when the Moors and Christians finally ended their battles. Today, the nine-day event offers parades, games, races, culinary delights, bonfires, and more!

 

The sixteenth century Church of the Incarnation is a Baroque style chapel with one rectangular main building with towers erected on each corner. The main feature of this church is the glorious altarpiece. Another area church, Church of San Agustin also dates to the sixteenth century.

 

Hermitage of our Lady of the Orchards was erected in the late 1500s. This church sits on the outskirts of town. Regardless, its amazing architectural details are still impressive and worth the trip!

 

Built in the late 1800s, Vera houses a fabulous bullring that offers events throughout the year.

 

After the battle between the Moors and the Christians, the Moors were forced to create their own community away from the town centre. This area, called “The Hill of the Spirit Santo,” can be toured by visitors. Most of the buildings were destroyed by an earthquake, but the remnants of their water system and a few walls are still visible.

 

The 19th century City Hall houses a historical museum. It is certainly worth seeing.

 

More than five kilometers of sandy beach span Vera’s coastline. There are a number of public beaches. Please be aware that one section is for nudists only.

 

Finally, spend some time shopping in the area. Many artisans sell their goods from stores in Vera. The city square, established in the 1800s, is beautiful with flowering gardens and rows of boutiques and cafes.

Oddly enough, a large population of employed Veratense works for automotive repair shops or car rental offices. Another percentage of the area’s industry involves local craftsmen and craftswomen who earn a living selling their goods within the heart of the town. When visiting Vera, it is hard to ignore the quality baskets, pottery, glassblowing, embroidery, weaving, and marble crafts that are all available.

 

Tourism is very important to Vera. Without tourists, many locals would never sell their goods to the public. Make sure you take home a few treasures when you leave Vera.

 

Agriculture only plays a small part in Vera’s economy. Barley, citrus fruits, almonds, and lettuce are grown in many farms and fields.

The culinary dishes in Vera vary from area to area. Those closer to the mountain eat more meat than those closer to the sea. For this very reason, dining within Vera is a treasure!

 

Meatball Stew is a common dish. Beef meatballs are simmered in a rich broth with onion, cumin, coriander, and some local produce. The dish is delightful!

 

Ajo Colorao is also one of Vera’s most traditional dishes. Potatoes, paprika, tomatoes, garlic, and red peppers are sautéed in olive oil. Strands of saffron are added along with some water. Once the mixture is soft, it is pureed and decorated with halved boiled eggs.

 

For dessert, one might sample some locally made pestiños. These bread rolls contain aniseed. The dough is formed into a pretzel-like twist and then deep-fried in olive oil. Once they have cooled, they are dipped in honey and eaten slightly warm.

Three area restaurants serve excellent meals. Cortijo Albari Vera is open Thursday through Tuesday. This restaurant specializes in Argentinean steaks. Terraza Carmona is attached to the Hotel Carmona. This restaurant specializes in Spanish fare and seafood. Finally, El Alcantino is the best place for tapas and cold beers.

 

Tapas bars are a mainstay in Vera. A wide selection of tapas bars are available to weary travellers and locals alike. You cannot leave Vera without spending a few hours sampling the local beer, wine, and fare!

Sparkling blue waters and pristine beaches are only part of Vera’s allure. The friendly locals, gorgeous mountain vistas, and historic structures all draw a visitor’s eye.

 

With excellent schools, charming boutiques, and succulent food, it is no surprise that Vera is becoming “the” place to be. You may find yourself coming to visit and opting to permanently return!