Autovia N-340 Murcia-Almeria
Entre Salidas 520 y 525
Las Norias - Los Gallardos - Almeria
Tf: (0034) 950469542 
(English speaker available every day from 4 pm till 7 pm) 
UK office (01748) 822442
Web: www.villaricos.net/cortijolasalamanquesa

Cortijo la Salamanquesa is a small restaurant and "Hotel rural" situated in the province of Almeria at the easternmost tip of Andalucia in one of the most magical and unspoilt areas of the Mediterranean coast. The hotel has been converted from a traditional farm house - parts of which are over 300 years old - and offers the visitor a choice of four guest bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom. As these rooms have been fitted into the existing building each is completely different in size, shape and colour. They have been furnished mostly with antique Spanish pieces and the bathrooms, which of course, are completely new, have been decorated in keeping with the style of the rooms. There is central heating throughout the building and all the guest bedrooms have ceiling fans. 
The accommodation offered consists of one double room which is separate from the others and three twin-bedded rooms which lead off a typical Andalucian courtyard.



The restaurant is open to the public and serves traditional Spanish home cooking. Choices can be made from a permanent menu or from the several dishes of the day. The wine list is not over long but includes good-value high quality wines from most of the major wine producing areas of Spain. The restaurant only serves dinner and is not open during the day but guests can order a picnic lunch if they wish.A traditional Spanish breakfast is included in the price of the room but several other options - including a "full English" breakfast - are offered at a small additional cost.

La Salamanquesa is situated in peaceful farmland just inland from the bustling tourist beaches. It is within walking distance of Los Gallardos (10/15 minutes) and Turre (30 minutes). Both these villages have a bus service but public transport in this part of Spain is not good and a hire car is strongly recommended. Taxis can be ordered but they are not cheap and are fairly thin on the ground so their use would normally entail a - sometimes lengthy - wait.


Villages slightly further away (between 20/30 min by car) include the very picturesque Mojacar (white painted and set on a hill-top overlooking the coast), Garrucha (a busy port with the most important fishing fleet in the area and a yacht marina as well as large shipping and liners) and Bédar (a charming white painted hillside village with picturesque corners and stunning views).

For golfers there are several courses within a ˝ hour car ride. Other activities available in the vicinity include hill walking (with special interest to wild flower enthusiasts in the Winter and Spring months), cycling, horse riding, micro-lights, and "discovery tours" by jeep for the less energetic.



In the Summer, apart from the beach and the hotel's own small pool, there is go carting, a water park and some lovely boats trips along the coast. 

Excursions can also be made to the nearby gypsum caves, to "Mini Hollywood" where many of the so-called Spaghetti Westerns were filmed, to the Flamingo and other birds observatory at the salt marshes alongside Almeria city, as well as any of the charming and attractive villages in the vicinity such as Nijar, Sorbas, Lucainena and Bedar. There are also several natural parks in the area including the beatiful Cabo de Gata coastland and the Tabernas desert, a unique piece of countryside.