San José (Almería) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids San José
San José from Campillo de los Genoveses.
San José Location in Spain
Country	Spain
Region	Andalusia
Province	Almería
Comarca	Nijar
Elevation	23 m (75 ft)
Population (2019)
• Total	849
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Playa de los Genoveses

Cala de la Media Luna

San José is a charming village and fishing port. It is located in the beautiful Cabo de Gata Natural Park. This park is in the Province of Almería, Spain. In 2019, about 849 people lived there.

Many people visit San José, especially because it's easy to reach. You can get there from Almería Airport and the main highway, the Autovía A-7. Like the rest of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, San José is most popular in spring and summer. San José has several amazing beaches. Some are outside the town but still close enough to walk to. These include Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Mónsul, and Cala de la Media Luna. You can find many restaurants and tapas bars in San José. There is also a local tourist office. It can help you find fun things to do in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.

Exploring Nature and Tourism in San José
Celebrating Local Festivals in San José
San José in Movies
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Nature and Tourism in San José

San José is a great place to visit. It has many natural areas to explore. You can find places to stay all year round. It is best to book early, especially in summer.

Beautiful Beaches Near San José

San José is right in the middle of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. This means you are always close to amazing natural spots. The most popular spots are the beaches. But there is much more to see, all within walking distance of the town.

Besides the town beaches like Playa de San José, Playa de la Calilla, and "Tobacco Beach," you can walk west to stunning beaches. These include Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Mónsul, and Cala de la Media Luna. These are just a few of the many beaches and coves in the area. Other beaches are Playa del Barronal, Cala del Príncipe, Cala Chica, and Cala Carbón. To the east of the village is Cala Higuera. All beaches around San José are perfect for snorkeling.

The Campillo de los Genoveses Area

Next to Playa de los Genoveses beach is the Campillo de los Genoveses. This is a natural area that is partly farmed. It is a safe place for many plants and animals. Further along the path, you will find part of the Sierra de Cabo de Gata mountains. Both of these areas are popular with people who love wildlife. Hikers, artists, photographers, and cyclists also enjoy these spots. Shepherds often graze their goats and sheep here too. One special feature of Campillo de los Genoveses is a huge fossilized sand dune. This dune was once part of the beach. This makes the area very important for geology.

Fun Activities in San José

During the spring and summer, there are many exciting things to do in San José. You can go diving or kayaking. You can also join photography experiences. Wildlife watching and geological field trips are popular. Hiking is another great activity. Some of these activities are available all year.

Celebrating Local Festivals in San José

San José celebrates several important festivals each year. These events are big parties for the whole village.

Carnival (Carnaval)

The week before Lent is a time for big parties in some parts of Spain. San José, like many other towns, hosts its own Carnival celebration. People dress up in costumes and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Saint Joseph's Day (Día de San José)

Día de San José, or Saint Joseph's Day, honors St. Joseph. He was the husband of the Virgin Mary. This day is celebrated every year across Spain on March 19. It is also known as Father's Day (Día del Padre) in many areas. The celebrations often start on Friday night. Live music plays in the main square, called the plaza. There is also a tent selling drinks like beer and wine, and tapas. This adds to the fun of the already busy bars.

Midsummer Festival (Fiesta de San Juan)

Fiesta de San Juan is a very old festival. It celebrates St. John the Baptist. This festival is usually linked to the summer solstice. This is the longest day of the year in the northern part of the world. The main part of the celebration is fire. The idea behind this ritual was to "give more power to the sun." The festival is marked by a night of parties around bonfires on the beach. People jump over waves, believing each wave brings good luck.

The Evening Stroll (Paseo)

During the spring and summer months, the main walkway, or "paseo," in San José becomes a lively market. Many artisan stalls are set up. They sell all kinds of handmade items. You can find unique jewelry, leather goods, clothing, and incense holders. It is a great place to find original gifts.

San José in Movies

Playa de Mónsul

San José and the areas around it have been used in many movies and TV shows. This is common for many places in the province of Almería. Famous movies like A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and Lawrence of Arabia filmed scenes here.

The nearby Monsul beach is very famous. It was used in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The music video for 'Ave Maria' by pop star David Bisbal was also filmed there. The TV show Queen of Swords used Monsul Beach and nearby spots for hacienda scenes. The top of a rock at Monsul was even used for a sword fight in the episode "Death to the Queen". Actress Tessie Santiago climbed to the top for the scene.