The province of Almería is a land of contrasts, where pristine beaches, deserts such as Tabernas, and white villages steeped in history coexist. Its municipalities offer a combination of tradition, nature and agricultural development that defines the identity of the region.
But did you know that the largest municipality in Almería is twice the size of the capital? Discover where it is.
Almería's largest town
The largest municipality in the province of Almería is Níjar, covering an area of 601 square kilometres. To put this into perspective, it is more than twice the size of the capital, Almería, which is 295 km².
Níjar is located in the eastern part of the province, between the Mediterranean coast and semi‑desert inland landscapes. Its vast size is largely due to the fact that it includes a significant portion of the Cabo de Gata‑Níjar Natural Park – one of the most important protected areas in Spain.
With a population of around 33,000 residents, it is a municipality with a strong tradition of agriculture and tourism spread across a wide territory. While the main town lies inland, the area also includes well‑known coastal villages such as San José and Las Negras, located within the Cabo de Gata area.
What to see in Níjar
The municipality of Níjar offers nature, heritage and pristine beaches. These are some of the must-see places:
- Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park: A protected area of volcanic origin with spectacular coves, cliffs and nature trails. It is one of Andalusia's most emblematic landscapes.
- Las Negras: A charming little coastal village, ideal for enjoying crystal-clear waters and a peaceful atmosphere.
- San José: Tourist centre of the natural park, with beaches such as Los Genoveses and Mónsul. It offers leisure and nature in a privileged setting.
- Villa de Níjar (historic centre): White-washed village with narrow streets and traditional crafts, famous for its jarapas – handwoven textiles.
- Isleta del Moro: An old fishing village with a long maritime tradition. It stands out for its scenic beauty and excellent cuisine.
Living in Níjar
If you're considering living in Níjar, the municipality offers a privileged natural environment and a quality of life defined by tranquillity and a close connection with the landscape. Its vast territory includes both lively coastal areas and quieter inland settings.
In addition, its economy is based on intensive agriculture – particularly greenhouse farming – as well as tourism and services. This creates diverse employment opportunities and makes Níjar one of the key economic drivers in the province.
What are Almería's largest towns?
The size of a municipality can be measured by its land area or by its population. In the province of Almería, there are differences between these two classifications.
By land area
Some municipalities stand out for the size of their municipal area, which covers large natural spaces and rural areas.
- Níjar – 601 km²: The largest in the province and one of the largest in Andalusia. It includes a large part of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.
- Vélez-Blanco – 441 km²: Located in the Los Vélez region, it stands out for its historical heritage and mountainous surroundings.
- Huércal-Overa – 318 km²: Important centre of the Levante Almeriense with a large agricultural area and good connection with Murcia.
- Almería – 295 km²: The provincial capital offers coast, mountains and urban areas within a large municipal area.
- Vélez-Rubio – 282 km²: Municipality in the northern part of the province with large natural areas and a livestock tradition.
By population
If we analyse the number of inhabitants, the ranking changes. According to INE data from 2025, and excluding the city of Almería, these are the most populated municipalities:
- Roquetas de Mar – 111,240 inhabitants: Main tourist and residential centre of the Poniente Almeriense, with strong demographic growth.
- El Ejido – 91,440 inhabitants: A benchmark for intensive greenhouse agriculture and one of the economic engines of the province.
- Níjar – 33,319 inhabitants: Combines agriculture and tourism in a very large municipal area.
- Vícar – 29,342 inhabitants: Expanding municipality within the western metropolitan area.
- Adra – 25,501 inhabitants: Coastal city with fishing and agricultural tradition, located at the western end of the province.
