Introduction:

Situated in between Motril and Almería (about fifty kilometres away), Adra is a growing fishing community filled with charming locals and delicious cuisine. The population stands at 23,000 residents currently. This demonstrates a ten percent growth in the past year. Set in the southwestern tip of Almería, Adra’s location brings hot summer days that meld nicely with cooler sea breezes. Tourism is a strong component in helping the town grow and flourish. A good number of hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars keep tourists and locals happy.

History:

Adra’s (originally called Abdera) foundations started with the Phoenicians in the years B.C.  Due to its coastal location, the Phoenicians were able to turn the area into a thriving seafood market.  For whatever reason, possibly skirmishes between different Phoenician tribes, the town fell to ruin until the Greeks revived it.  The history remains fuzzy with only a few scattered artifacts remaining to give a glimpse into Adra’s history. By the second century, the Romans had entered the area and found success until the end of their time when a recession occurred.  The recession lasted for years.  The Moors rebuilt the town in the 700s and turned it into a thriving seaport. The Moors met with success until the late 1400s.  During this time, Christian kings opted to claim much of Spain as their own land.  Major battles ensued and the Moors were driven from the only home they had ever known. The Christians slowly rebuilt the population turning to sugar cane for revenue.  The warm climate and long sunny days lead to exceedingly prolific crops.  In 1972, the last of the sugar cane mills closed its doors.  In the early 1900s, the government of Spain rebuilt Adra’s ports in order to allow fleets of ships to reach the city’s shores.  The increase in shipping actively caused the economy to turn to trade and fishing. Today, the development of a major railway that will travel throughout major cities on the Mediterranean is promising to increase tourism.  Once the railway is complete, Adra will become one of Spain’s hottest destinations!

Site Seeing:

Originally built in the 16th century, Parish of the Immaculate Conception and Church of Our Lady of Angustias are Adra’s two oldest churches. They have received many structural repairs throughout the centuries, but major portions of the buildings are original. Hermitage of San Sebastián is the next oldest church. Established in the 17th century, the church is packed with architectural details and even some tablets that contain original text and artwork. In the 18th century, Hermitage of San Isidro was finished. The church is fashioned in the traditional Alpujarreña style. The brickwork is amazing. Watch de Guainos was built in the 18th century. The large tower was used to view intruders when they were still far away. The Watch is attached to the city’s main defensive wall. Queen Juana had the wall erected due to her fears of attack. Many industrial factories are now major tourist attractions. An old lead mill, The Tower of the Pellets, where ammunitions were created, is a main highlight of any history lover’s itinerary. The building houses the tourist information centre and the Museum of Adra. A neighbouring lead mill now houses an art gallery. You can view impressive local artists while viewing the historical structure. The old sugar cane mills are open to tourists. Additionally, the 18th century Mill of the Place is popular due to its antique viaducts. The Lagoons of Adra are home to more than 150 species of birds.   Sadly, contaminants are altering the state of the lagoons, but work is underway to save the area. Bonfires are a main highlight every June. For one day, the Night of San Juan brings a night of festivities that end with huge beach bonfires. This event is not to be missed. In July, those making their living as fishermen are honoured with a huge parade. Fishing is a tough career, and they truly deserve this honour. Enjoy the parade and help support the local anglers by feasting on seafood during this special day. There are also gorgeous beaches in Adra that will suit many sunbathers’ needs. Thirteen kilometers of coastline deliver many pristine beaches that draw the crowds. San Nicholas is the busiest of the beaches. If you want a less crowded beach, consider the more remote beaches that are a little harder to reach due to parking, but they are usually less populated. San Nicholas does have many public areas that make it a popular spot.  Boardwalks, public showers, toilets, and marked swimming areas ensure it is a safe and fun beach for families. Adra has an impressive cultural centre that offers live theatrical performances and some musical concerts. Shows vary and all are reasonably priced.

Industry:

Though it was once a thriving sugar cane town, today’s economy revolves around tourism and fishing. Fresh seafood is sold in many areas throughout Adra. Prices are more than reasonable, and the quality cannot be topped. Due to the sandy beaches and clean waters, tourism has increased rapidly in the past decade. Adra caters to tourists with a wide variety of stores and activities.

Gastronomy:

Citizens of Adra pride themselves on freshly cooked, flavourful cuisine. Dishes revolve around fresh vegetables, garlic, olive oil, and an array of fresh seafood delicacies. Calamari, fried fish, and grilled fish are all popular dishes. If seafood is not to your liking, there are still many satisfying dishes. Fresh Pot is a stew made with blood sausage, beef, pork, or chicken that includes potatoes, garlic, chickpeas, and a rich broth. “Vermicelli Aside” is a neat dish that cooks the fresh vermicelli in a salty fish broth. The dish is quick to make and extremely filling. Top it off with fried milk, a dish in which milk is turned into a thick custard, chilled, breaded and then quickly fried to a golden brown stage.

Nightlife:

Adra’s nightlife is always changing. As the city grows, more establishments are opening. At this time, there are a number of bars and restaurants. All offer excellent nightly activities including inexpensive meals, drinks, and live music. A few establishments are worthwhile dance clubs for the younger crowd.

Summary:

Adra is quickly becoming one of Spain’s hottest tourist locations. For now, it is a hidden gem, but this will not last long. With a wide array of cosy bars, active dance clubs, charming restaurants, and amazing buildings, you will find plenty to do and to see. You may come to Spain looking for some rest and relaxation, but with Adra, you will find so much more. The city truly takes your breath away.

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