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Spanish city named the happiest in the country – with sandy beaches, free tapas and just 29 days of rain a year
Flights to a nearby airport cost £18 for a one-way ticket
A LITTLE-KNOWN Spanish city has been named the happiest in the country - and it only gets 29 days of rain every year.
Every year, millions of Brits head to Spain for their holidays, but mostly stick to well-known resorts.
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One place Brit holidaymakers might not know about is Almeria in Andalusia, which has just been named the happiest city in the country.
As reported by , technology company Sonneil recently revealed the happiest cities in Spain in the Spain Happy Index Report.
The Spanish cities were ranked based on factores like the climate, the proximity to communication infrastructures, the ability to access housing.
According to the report, Almeria is the happiest city in Spain thanks to its warm and mild climate and its close proximity to hospitals and airports.
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The city records an average daily temperature of 17C, with highs of 29C in July and August.
It also only gets 29 days of rain every year - making it an ideal holiday destination for Brits.
Compared to other neighbouring cities like Malaga and Granada, Almeria is far less crowded.
Almeria is the only city in Europe with a hot desert climate thanks to its proximity to the continent's only desert.
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Just a half an hour drive from Almeria, the Tabernas Desert was used as a filming location for famous Westerns, including The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, and For a Few Dollars More, starring Clint Eastwood.
There are plenty of other things to do in Almeria too, including Alcazaba - the fortress in the city.
Construction on the fortress began in 955AD, by the region’s Muslim ruler, Abd ar-Rahman III.
The Spanish cave town built into a canyon known for its wine, food and spectacular castle
While the fortress originally housed living quarters and baths, it's now occupied by gardens.
Some of the best preserved features inside the fortress include the military baths and a typical Muslim home which has been rebuilt from its foundations.
Other tourist attractions include Almeria Cathedral, which is the only structure of its kind in Andalusia.
The cathedral was used as both a place of worship and a defensive structure with its turrets and buttresses that were designed to protect the city from pirates.
There's also the Museo Refugio de la Guerra Civil - a system of underground tunnels that were designed as evacuation shelters.
It is thought that the system would protect more than 35,000 people during the Spanish Civil War.
Located 8m below ground, holidaymakers who want to visit the tunnels will need to book their tickets in advance.
There are plenty of beaches in the Spanish city too, including Playa Las Olas and Playa del Auditorio.
Playa Las Olas is a small sandy beach located just a stone's throw away from the city's trendy restaurants and bars.
There's no shortage of Tapas bars in Almeria, including Jovellanos 16 - a tapas bar where small dishes are served for free with every drink you order, as reported by .
Almeria is a two-hour drive from Malaga.
Ryanair operates direct flights from London Luton to Malaga, with prices starting from £17 for a one-way ticket.
There are plenty of other lesser-known places to visit in Spain, including Cadiz.
Last year, Cadiz was named the cheapest city break in Spain by , a luggage storage company.
And last year, I visited the Spanish seaside town that’s loved by locals and unknown to most Brits, and it's also in Andalucia.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Everything you need to know about visiting Spain
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.
One British expat, who lives Cadiz, has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they're on holiday.
And, another travel expert, who visits Spain eight times a year, has shared the big mistakes tourists make that can cost holidaymakers money.
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