Cuevas del Almanzora

It enjoys a unique desert climate, with the least rainfall (less than 20cm/year), the most sunshine (3308 hrs/year) & the warmest winter in Spain (average annual temperature 20+ degrees c).  It is amongst the oldest inhabited regions of Europe, its caves occupied since man first appeared on the continent; then early Greeks, Phoenicians, Hannibal & his Carthaginians, Romans, Vizigoths, Byzantines, Arabs & Christians all followed, drawn by the Almanzora’s rich agriculture, gold & silver.  A 19th century mining boom in the local coastal village of Villaricos resulted in the ornate homes (mini-palaces) of the burgers of Cuevas, which also posesses a striking Moorish/Christian castle, set a background of dramatic cliffs, punctured by pre-historic cave dwellings.  Today, whilst the municipality of Cuevas remains one of the least developed of all on the Mediterranean coast, it is home to Europe’s only Arizona style luxury desert resort and international championship golf course.