CUEVAS DE ALMANZORA

Cuevas de Almanzora, 7km off of the main N340 road, is a town full of history and character, yet still close to the resorts of Mojacar and Vera. Here you can find a wide-range of properties for sale, including cave houses. Don’t think they always come cheap though; some of these are truly upmarket caves on sale for up to 400,000 euros – the same sort of price you would pay here for a large rural ‘cortijo’ (farmhouse) in good condition. At the other end of the range there are village houses for sale from 70,000 euros. The nearby Exclusive Desert Springs golf resort offers a range of new properties for sale from apartments from 270,000 euros to villas in gated communities for up to 800,000 euros.

Cuevas de Almanzora lies to the east of the Almanzora Valley, which in striking contrast to Almeria’s desert region is an oasis of greenery. In spring, its meadows are full of mimosa and you’re likely to spot a few wild boar roaming around. Elsewhere you will find citrus groves, vineyards, orchards and lovely villages such as Cantoria and Tijola which are attracting growing numbers of British and Irish buyers wanting a tranquil and authentic Spanish life. Tijola is seeing new development, with off-plan semi-detached villas from 145,000 euros.

The valley begins in the west with the Sierra de los Filabres, an extention of the Sierra Nevada, and follows the River Almanzora west. With Almeria and Murcia airports both about 90 minutes drive away, the valley avoids mass development and attracts those in search of something a little more remote.