Almería Cathedral
Almería Cathedral is a fortress-church in the old town, begun in 1524 after an earthquake and built with battlements and corner towers against Berber raids, so it looks more like a castle.
About Almería Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Incarnation replaced a church destroyed by the earthquake of 1522. Begun in 1524 and largely complete by 1562, with designs linked to Diego de Siloé and Juan de Orea, it was built as a fortress against Berber pirates, with thick walls, battlements and corner towers; the bell tower followed in 1613. It became a national monument in 1931.
Inside are three naves and an ambulatory, side chapels, 75 walnut choir stalls carved by Juan de Orea in 1558–1561 and a neoclassical cloister of the 1790s. Outside the east end, look for the Sol de Portocarrero, a carved sun with a human face that has become a symbol of the city.
Tickets cost €8 (over-65s €7, ages 13–17 and students €6, under-12s free) with an audio guide, at the door or online, with no timed slots. Guided tower climbs for ages 6 and up run on Fridays and Saturdays at 13:00 and 17:30 (€5, or €2 extra with a general ticket); the tower has a lift. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Ask at the desk about step-free access; it suits families.
Sunday hours are short (15:00–18:00) and times can change for services, so check the website first. Weekday mornings are quietest. Dress respectfully and arrive at least 45 minutes before closing, the time of last entry.
Almería Cathedral in pictures
What you’ll find
- Audio guideAudio guideBuy
- Guided tourGuided tour (€15, from 11:00)Book
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€6–€8, 10:00–19:00)Ticket
- Religious servicesMassFree
- Tower climbTower climb (€2–€5, from 13:00)Ticket
Nearby places to visit
The Alcazaba of Almería (300 m) rises behind the old town and makes an easy pairing on foot. The Monasterio de las Puras, included in the combined ticket, is a few streets away, and the seafront beaches of Playa de San Miguel (1.5 km) and Playa del Zapillo (2.5 km) are within walking distance. Inland, the Copper Age settlement of Los Millares (15 km) and the film-set landscapes of the Tabernas Desert (20 km) make a good half-day excursion by car. Almería's tapas bars cluster around Plaza de la Catedral and the Paseo de Almería.
Almería Cathedral at a glance
Location
Metropolitana de Almería, Almería
Town
Almería
Address
Plaza de la Catedral s/n, 04001 Almería, Almería, Spain
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–14:30 and 16:00–19:00; Sat 10:00–19:00; Sun 15:00–18:00. Last entry 45 minutes before closing. Hours may change for services.
Prices
Adults €8, over-65s €7, ages 13–17 and students €6, under-12s free (audio guide included); tower €5 or +€2 with general ticket
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
catedralalmeria.com
Phone
+34 661 571 982
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Almería Cathedral, nearest first.
