Quick answer: Ships berth alongside at the Levante or Ribera II quay next to the Estación Marítima, and the old town starts at the Puerta del Mar beside the terminal, so you can walk everywhere in the centre. No shuttle is needed. Start back from the old town 80 minutes before all-aboard and from the Alcazaba 90 minutes before.
Almería is a compact port city where the ship ties up in front of the centre. The Alcazaba, the largest fortress the Moors built in Spain, sits on the hill above the old town, and restored Civil War air-raid tunnels run under the Paseo de Almería. The quay is shared with ferries, and the port authority is building a separate cruise passenger terminal inside the maritime station, due in the first four months of 2027. The day works on foot, but the Alcazaba is uphill and closed on most Mondays.
When to leave Almería
Times include the way back- Old town and Paseo de AlmeríaWalk, about 10–15 min 16:10
- AlcazabaWalk downhill through the old town, or taxi 16:00
- Cable InglésWalk along the seafront, about 15 min 16:15
- Train and bus station (Plaza de la Estación)Walk 1.3 km, about 15 min 16:15
Times are port time, the time your phone shows ashore.
Plan this day to my shipWhere the ship docks
Levante / Ribera II berths (Estación Marítima) · 1 km to the centre
The port authority lists two cruise berths: Levante (220 m) and Ribera II (450 m), with the passenger building between them. A fixed gangway and boarding finger linking ships to the Estación Marítima was installed in 2025. A dedicated cruise terminal in the south-west of the station, with toilets, a lift, Wi-Fi and a tourist information point, was contracted in September 2026 and is due for completion in the first four months of 2027. Taxi ranks, bus stops and a hospitality desk with maps are provided. The port expected 30 cruise calls in 2026.
Can you walk? Yes, about 15 min. The Puerta del Mar and the edge of the old town are next to the terminal, and the cathedral is a few streets away. The port authority puts the main tapas area about 10 minutes on foot and the train and bus station 1.3 km, about 15 minutes. Passengers leave via Parque Nicolás Salmerón. The Alcazaba is further and uphill on uneven paving.
Getting to town
On foot
FreeAbout 10–15 min to the old town and Paseo de Almería
Leave the port through Parque Nicolás Salmerón towards the Puerta del Mar. The cathedral and Plaza de la Constitución are a few streets inland, and the Alcazaba is reached uphill from there.
Taxi
Agree the fare or ask for an estimate before you ride (2026)Short ride within the city
The port authority lists taxi ranks at the port. A taxi saves the uphill walk to the Alcazaba entrance on Calle Almanzor.
Tourist train
Check the price at the stop (2026)City circuit
The port authority says a tourist train departs from the port. Check the day's timetable at the stop before planning around it.
Ship tour or private driver
Varies; check your cruise planner (2026)Varies
For Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, the Tabernas Desert or Granada, use a ship tour or a pre-booked driver; public transport does not fit a port day.
When to head back
Start back from the old town or Paseo de Almería 80 minutes before all-aboard, and from the Alcazaba 90 minutes before. Be on board 60 minutes before all-aboard.
The walk from the centre is about 10–15 minutes and downhill from the Alcazaba. The quay is shared with ferry traffic, so allow time to get back through the port gate.
If you are running late: Take a taxi from the Paseo de Almería or Puerta de Purchena to the port. If you will miss all-aboard, call the port agent number on your daily programme straight away.
Where people go wrong: Planning the day around the Alcazaba on a Monday, when it is closed.
Almería is one day. Time the whole cruise.
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Ships do not wait.
In March 2024, eight Norwegian Dawn passengers on a private tour came back to the pier in São Tomé more than an hour after all-aboard. Getting back on board took six days, seven countries and over $5,000. The details
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The ship charges for the easy part.
Carnival sells a coach to Rome for US$129.99 a person. The train is from €9.20 return. PortTrip tells you which train, and the last one that gets you back. The details
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On the day, it watches the clock.
Google Maps travel time from where you stand back to the pier, with alerts at 30, 15 and 0 minutes. The details
Cruise Pass
€14.99 once
Up to 10 ports of one sailing, timed to your all-aboard in port time and ship time. Live mode and alerts on the day. An offline copy for when the signal drops.
Get the Cruise PassPay once, nothing renews. 30-day full refund.
Or plan Almería free firstA day in Almería
Assumes the ship docks at 08:00 and all-aboard is 17:30, on a Tuesday to Saturday between 21 September and 20 March, when the Alcazaba opens 09:00–18:00.
- 08:30Walk off through Parque Nicolás Salmerón and pick up a map at the hospitality desk or tourist office.
- 09:00Walk up through the old town to the Alcazaba on Calle Almanzor for opening.
- 11:00Down to the cathedral and Plaza de la Constitución.
- 12:00Guided visit to the Civil War shelters, entrance on Plaza Manuel Pérez García (ticket booked in advance).
- 13:30Tapas lunch on Calle Jovellanos, for example at Casa Puga.
- 15:00Walk out along the Cable Inglés pier by the Parque de la Estación.
- 16:00Walk back to the port, about 15 minutes.
- 16:30Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.
Tours in Almería
10 top-rated on Viator, from €17
Each tour is checked against your time ashore (7 h 40 min on a 17:30 all-aboard). If a tour you booked yourself runs late, the ship does not wait.
Fits your dayCabo de Gata Active. Guided kayak and snorkel route through coves of the Natural Park4.9(1,722)3 hFree cancellationfrom €45See on Viator
Fits your dayKayak y snorkell. Las mejores calas de Cabo de Gata4.8(200)3 hFree cancellationfrom €39See on Viator
Fits your dayStargazing Night in the Tabernas Desert5.0(60)2 hFree cancellationfrom €25See on Viator
Too long for this callCabo de Gata Natural Park from Roquetas, Aguadulce & Almeria4.7(38)8 hfrom €65See on Viator
Fits your dayCaves of Sorbas Basic Route4.7(35)1 h 30 minFree cancellationfrom €25See on Viator
Fits your dayTapas, Drinks and the Culture of Almería5.0(19)5 h–6 hFree cancellationfrom €120See on Viator
Fits your dayAlcazaba of Almeria4.4(29)2 hFree cancellationfrom €17See on Viator
Too long for this callAlmeria : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour)4.6(23)2 h–8 hFree cancellationPrivatefrom €45See on Viator
Fits your daySecrets of Almeria - Tapas Tour5.0(16)2 h–3 hFree cancellationfrom €90See on Viator
Fits your dayWorkshop to connect with Almería through desert wood5.0(10)3 hFree cancellationfrom €50See on Viator
Prices are Viator’s “from” prices in euros, checked 27 October 2026. You book and pay on Viator. If you book through these links we may earn a commission; it never changes the price or what we recommend.
What to see
Alcazaba de Almería
A Moorish citadel begun in 955 under Abd al-Rahman III, with three walled enclosures and views over the city and bay.
1.5–2 hoursCheck the entry charge at the gate (2026)
Closed on Mondays unless the Monday is the eve of a public holiday. Tuesday to Saturday hours are 09:00–18:00 from 21 September to 20 March, 09:00–21:00 from 21 March to 20 June, and 09:00–14:00 plus 19:00–22:00 from 21 June to 20 September; Sundays and holidays 09:00–15:00. Also closed 1 and 6 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December.
Refugios de la Guerra Civil
Almost 1 km of restored Civil War air-raid galleries about 9 m under the Paseo de Almería, including an operating theatre.
About 1 hourGuided visits only; buy tickets in advance online or on 950 268 696 (2026)
Entrance on Plaza Manuel Pérez García. Tickets must be bought before the visit.
Cable Inglés
An iron-ore loading pier built 1902–1904 and opened by Alfonso XIII, now a free walkway over the water.
30–45 minutesFree (2026)
Open daily, 09:00–21:00 in winter and 09:00–23:00 in summer, according to the port authority.
Almería Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnación)
A cathedral built like a fortress, a few streets from the port.
30–45 minutesPaid entry; check at the door (2026)
On the way down from the Alcazaba via Plaza de la Constitución.
Mercado Central
The city market, with produce stalls and tapas bars in the streets around it.
30 minutesFree
A morning market; go before lunch.
Museo de Almería
The provincial archaeology museum, a good indoor option.
1 hourCheck at the door (2026)
Closed Mondays.
Barrio de la Chanca
A hillside quarter of small, brightly painted houses below the Alcazaba.
15 minutes, viewed from the AlcazabaFree
Best seen from the Alcazaba walls.
Beaches
Playa de San Miguel and Playa del Zapillo
Walk east along the seafront past the Cable Inglés, or taxi · Allow 3–4 hours including beach time · Free
The city beaches. Take a taxi back if time is short or it is hot.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
Ship tour, private driver or hire car · Half a day or more · Varies
Natural coves and a lighthouse east of the city; public transport is impractical on a port day.
What to eat
- Traditional tapas in generous portions · Casa Puga, Calle Jovellanos 7
- Beef cheeks · Taberna Nuestra Tierra, corner of Calle Jovellanos and Calle Marín
- 'Surprise' croquettes with a changing filling · Jovellanos, Calle Jovellanos 16
- Cherigan (toast with aioli and toppings, an Almería speciality) · Cafetería Colón, Plaza Marqués de Heredia 6–8
- Grilled octopus with aioli · Los Sobrinos, Plaza de Málaga 29
On your own or a ship excursion?
Skip the ship tour for Almería itself: the Alcazaba, cathedral, shelters and Cable Inglés are all reachable on foot. Take the ship's tour for Granada and the Alhambra, which is a long road trip each way, and consider it for Cabo de Gata or the Tabernas Desert film sets, where public transport does not fit a port day.
| What | Ship | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcazaba visit | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Walk up from the port; check the entry charge at the gate (2026) | Most of the tour price |
| Old town and Cable Inglés walk | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Free | All of it |
Common mistakes
Planning the Alcazaba on a Monday.
It is closed on Mondays unless the next day is a holiday. Do the shelters, cathedral, market and Cable Inglés instead.
Arriving at the Alcazaba mid-afternoon in summer.
From 21 June to 20 September it closes 14:00–19:00 on weekdays and at 15:00 on Sundays. Go at 09:00.
Turning up at the Civil War shelters without a ticket.
Visits are guided and tickets must be bought in advance online or by phone.
Climbing to the Alcazaba at midday in summer.
Go first thing, carry water and wear shoes with grip for the uneven paving, or take a taxi to Calle Almanzor.
Trying to reach Granada by public transport.
It is a long road trip each way. Take the ship's tour or stay in Almería.
Safety, access and bad weather
- Safety
- Almería is generally safe for visitors. Watch your belongings in the port area when ferries are loading and in crowded old-town streets. Heat is the main risk in summer: the Alcazaba is uphill and exposed, so carry water and sun protection. Paving in the old town can be slippery; wear proper shoes. Emergency number: 112.
- Accessibility
- Ships berth alongside and the route into the centre through Parque Nicolás Salmerón is flat. The new cruise terminal, due in early 2027, will have an adapted lift and toilet. The Cable Inglés is a level walkway. The Alcazaba is uphill on uneven paving, so use a taxi to the gate on Calle Almanzor and expect parts of the fortress to be difficult. Old-town lanes are steep in places.
- If it rains
- Spend the day underground and indoors: the Civil War shelters, the cathedral, the Museo de Almería and the Mercado Central, with a long tapas lunch on Calle Jovellanos. The Alcazaba paths and the Cable Inglés are exposed.
- Crowds
- Almería had 28 cruise calls in 2025 and expected 30 in 2026, so crowds are rarely heavy. Tour groups reach the Alcazaba mid-morning; arrive at opening to beat them and the heat. Shelter visits run in groups at fixed times, so book a slot before the day.
Almería cruise port FAQ
Is Almería walkable from the cruise port?
Yes. The old town starts at the Puerta del Mar beside the terminal, and the main tapas streets are about 10 minutes on foot. The Alcazaba is further and uphill.
Is Almería a tender port?
No. Ships berth alongside at the Levante or Ribera II quay next to the maritime station.
How do I get from Almería cruise port to the Alcazaba?
Walk through Parque Nicolás Salmerón into the old town and up to the entrance on Calle Almanzor, or take a taxi from the port rank to save the climb.
Is the Alcazaba of Almería open on Mondays?
No, except when the Monday is the eve of a public holiday. Tuesday to Saturday it opens at 09:00; Sundays and holidays 09:00–15:00.
What can I do in Almería in one day from a cruise ship?
The Alcazaba, the cathedral, the Civil War shelters, a tapas lunch and the Cable Inglés, all on foot.
Beaches near Almería cruise port
Playa de San Miguel and Playa del Zapillo are east of the port along the seafront; walk or take a taxi.
Can I visit Granada from Almería on a cruise?
Only sensibly on a ship tour or private transfer; it is a long road trip each way.
Is Almería safe?
Yes. Take care with heat on the Alcazaba climb and with bags in the busy port area.
Not yet confirmed
- Alcazaba entry price for non-EU visitors and whether EU citizens still enter free (no official 2026 price page could be opened; the city's undated sheet lists it as free)
- Whether the proposed €5 Alcazaba charge has been introduced
- Civil War shelter ticket price and visit times for 2026
- Cathedral entry price and hours for 2026
- Which of the two berths (Levante or Ribera II) a given ship will use
- Taxi fares from the port
- Typical all-aboard time at Almería
- Any documented scams targeting cruise passengers (none found)
Sources
Checked November 2026. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@porttrip.com.
- Junta de Andalucía – Conjunto Monumental de la Alcazaba de Almería (museum directory: hours, closures)
- Andalucía Tourism (official) – Alcazaba de Almería
- Andalucía Tourism (official) – Refugios de la Guerra Civil, Almería
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Port of Almería tourism dossier (berths, walking times, services)
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Dedicated cruise terminal announced (March 2026)
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Cruise terminal to be completed in first four months of 2027 (September 2026)
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Seatrade Cruise Med 2026
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Cruise gangway plans (January 2024)
- Autoridad Portuaria de Almería – Cable Inglés (hours, free entry, history)
- Turismo de Almería (city) – El Cable Inglés
- Turismo de Almería (city) – Los Refugios guided visit and booking
- Turismo de Almería (city) – Monument opening times sheet
- Diario del Puerto – Seatrade Global 2026 (Almería cruise calls 2025–2026, gangway)
- Barceló travel guide – Tapas in Almería
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