A guide to Almería Cathedral’s architecture and history. Find current ticket prices and essential information for visiting this fortified Spanish cathedral.
Almería Cathedral looks like someone built a fortress and then remembered halfway through that it was supposed to be a church. And that’s essentially what happened. When I first spotted it in the Plaza de la Catedral, I thought I’d stumbled across some kind of medieval military installation – all thick walls, massive buttresses, and circular corner towers that once held cannons.
This is Spain’s only 16th-century fortified cathedral, and unlike most Spanish cathedrals that merely look defensive, this one was genuinely built to withstand pirate attacks.
Quick answer: Almería Cathedral tickets and opening hours
Adult tickets cost €7.00. The cathedral is open Monday-Friday 10am-2:30pm and 4pm-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm (continuous), Sunday 3pm-6pm. Children under 12 enter free. Residents of Almería city also enter free with ID. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Audio guide is included free with all paid tickets.
Almería Cathedral at a glance
| Adult ticket price | €7.00 |
| Opening hours | Mon-Fri: 10:00-14:30, 16:00-19:00. Sat: 10:00-19:00. Sun: 15:00-18:00 |
| Last entry | 45 minutes before closing |
| Address | Plaza de la Catedral, 8, 04001 Almería |
| Free for | Children under 12, Almería residents |
| Audio guide | Included free with paid tickets |
How much does Almería Cathedral cost?
I checked via the Cathedral website in December 2025, and the pricing structure is relatively straightforward, with several options depending on what you want to see and who you are.
Cathedral admission prices
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| General | €7.00 | Ages 18-64 |
| Seniors | €6.00 | Ages 65+ |
| Youth/Students | €5.00 | Ages 13-17, or university students up to 25 with valid ID |
| Reduced | €5.00 | People with disabilities (over 33% disability) and unemployed |
| Groups | Contact for pricing | 20+ people |
| Free | €0.00 | Children under 12 (with adult). Disabilities over 63%. Children of large families (with adult). Almería city residents (show ID) |
Important: Free admission does not include the audio guide, but paid tickets include it at no extra cost. The audio guide is available in multiple languages and is useful for understanding the cathedral’s unique defensive history. Tickets can be bought online.
Bell tower tour (Torre del Campanario)
Price: €5.00 per person (ages 6+)
This is a guided tour only, offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 13:00 and 17:30. You’ll need to book this separately from your general admission ticket. The bell tower offers excellent views over Almería’s old town and down to the coast.
Combined tickets with Las Puras Monastery
If you’re planning to visit both the cathedral and the nearby Monastery of Las Puras, buying a combined ticket saves money:
| Ticket type | Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| General (18-64) | €11.00 | Save €3.00 |
| Seniors (65+) | €10.00 | Save €3.00 |
| Youth/Students | €8.00 | Save €2.00 |
| Groups (20+) | €6.00 pp | Save €6.00 pp |
| Reduced | €8.00 | Save €2.00 |
Almería Sacra guided tour
This is a comprehensive guided tour covering both the cathedral and Las Puras Monastery:
- Price: €15.00 per person
- Children under 12: Free
- Times: Fridays and Saturdays at 11:00 and 16:00
- Booking: Call +34 661 571 982
Is Almería Cathedral free to enter?
Not for most visitors. Unlike many European cathedrals that offer free entry to the nave, Almería Cathedral charges admission. However, children under 12 and residents of Almería city enter completely free (residents must show ID at the ticket desk).
If you’re just coming to pray rather than sightsee, you can enter for worship without paying, though access may be limited to certain areas during Mass times.
What time does Almería Cathedral open?
Opening hours vary by day of the week:
Monday to Friday:
- Morning: 10:00-14:30
- Afternoon: 16:00-19:00
- Closed: 14:30-16:00 (Spanish siesta break)
- Last entry: 13:45 and 18:15
Saturday:
- 10:00-19:00 (continuous, no siesta closure)
- Last entry: 18:15
Sunday:
- 15:00-18:00
- Last entry: 17:15
Important warning: Opening hours may be altered without advance notice to accommodate liturgical needs. The cathedral is a working church, and religious services take priority. If you have a tight schedule, check the official website at catedralalmeria.com before visiting or call +34 605 429 979.
Phone information hours are Monday-Saturday 10:00-14:30 and 16:00-19:00, Sunday 15:00-18:00.
Do I need to book Almería Cathedral tickets in advance?
For general admission: No, advance booking isn’t essential. You can buy tickets online or simply purchase at the entrance on the day.
For the bell tower tour: Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended. These guided tours have limited spaces and run only twice per day on Fridays and Saturdays.
For the Almería Sacra guided tour: Yes, you must book by calling +34 661 571 982.
Built on ruins, built for war
Construction began in 1524 after a devastating earthquake in 1522 completely destroyed the previous cathedral, which itself had been built on the site of the city’s Great Mosque after the Christian reconquest. Bishop Fray Diego Fernández de Villalán commissioned the new cathedral, and he made sure it could do double duty as a defensive stronghold.
The original architect was Diego de Siloé, but the work was completed by Juan de Orea in 1564. The cathedral spans 40 years of construction and shows it – you’ve got late Gothic structure, Renaissance facades, Baroque additions, and Neoclassical elements all crammed into one building. Ventura Rodríguez, the renowned Spanish architect, contributed the beautiful Neoclassical cloister and tabernacle in the 18th century.
The defensive features weren’t just for show. In 1620, facing renewed pirate raids from Algeria, the cathedral was equipped with new muskets and arquebuses. They made additional weapon purchases in 1625 and 1635, though these were never fully completed because the threat eventually diminished.
Inside the fortress-cathedral
The interior is surprisingly elegant given the militaristic exterior. The cathedral has three low naves with late Gothic structure and ribbed vaulting. The Main Altarpiece is Baroque and quite striking against the otherwise austere space.
The Choir contains 75 walnut choir stalls from the 16th century – Renaissance work by Juan de Orea that’s intricately carved. There are two Baroque-style organs flanking the choir area.
The Sacristía Mayor (main sacristy) has a magnificent half-barrel vault adorned with medallions, built in the same style as the cloister. Originally this space was designed as a weapons courtyard, which tells you everything you need to know about the cathedral’s priorities.
Several chapels worth noting: the Capilla de la Piedad houses paintings by Alonso Cano and Murillo (his Concepción Inmaculada), while the Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Escucha contains the marble tomb of founding Bishop Villalán, complete with his faithful hound carved at his feet.
The Cloister is genuinely beautiful – considered the finest Neoclassical cloister in any Spanish cathedral. Designed by Juan Antonio Munar after Ventura Rodríguez’s death, it features 30 semi-circular arches on powerful Ionic columns.
One quirk: on the eastern exterior wall, there’s the Sol de Portocarrero, a carved sun symbol that’s now used as Almería province’s logo. Though it’s popularly named after Bishop Portocarrero, it was actually commissioned by Bishop Villalán – historians say the attribution got mixed up over the centuries.
What’s included with your Almería Cathedral ticket?
Your €7 admission includes:
- Entry to the main cathedral and all chapels
- Access to the Choir with its 16th-century carved walnut stalls
- The Sacristy with its decorated vault
- The beautiful Neoclassical Cloister (don’t skip this – it’s arguably the best part)
- Free audio guide in multiple languages
- The Chapter House
Not included: The bell tower tour costs an additional €5 and must be booked separately for specific time slots.
Things to do near Almería Cathedral
Almería‘s historic centre is compact, with several significant sites within easy walking distance:
Alcazaba of Almería (600 metres, 8 minutes uphill) – One of Spain’s largest Moorish fortresses, founded in 955. Free entry for EU citizens, spectacular panoramic views over the city and coast. Used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. The walk up is steep but worth it. Allow 1-2 hours for your visit.
Air Raid Shelters (400 metres, 5 minutes) – 4.5km network of underground bunkers from the Spanish Civil War that sheltered 40,000 civilians during bombings. Guided tours available. A fascinating piece of 20th-century history that most tourists miss.
Museo de Almería (1 km, 12 minutes) – Archaeological museum covering the region’s history from prehistoric times through the Roman and Islamic periods. Free entry for EU citizens. Good for understanding the layers of history beneath modern Almería.
Plaza de la Constitución (300 metres, 4 minutes) – The city’s main square, surrounded by cafés and palm trees, perfect for tapas. Free. This is where locals gather in the evening.
Paseo de Almería (400 metres, 5 minutes) – The city’s main boulevard, lined with shops, cafés, and Modernist architecture. Great for evening strolls and people-watching.
Practical tips for visiting Almería Cathedral
- Location: Plaza de la Catedral, 8, in the historic centre of Almería.
- Tourist entrance: On Calle Velázquez (behind the cathedral), not the main Plaza entrance – this confuses many first-time visitors.
- Ticket purchase: Buy online at or at the entrance.
- Audio guide: Included free with all paid tickets. Available in multiple languages.
- Time needed: 45-60 minutes for a thorough visit. Add 30-45 minutes for the bell tower tour if doing both.
- Photography: Generally permitted, but check current rules.
- Accessibility: The cathedral is accessible for people with disabilities.
- Dress code: Respectful clothing – shoulders and knees covered.
- Combined visits: If you’re planning to visit Las Puras Monastery as well, buy the combined ticket to save €3.
- Bell tower: Limited spaces on guided tours – book in advance if this is important to you.
- The cloister: Don’t miss it. Many visitors focus on the main church and skip what’s arguably the most beautiful part.
- Almería residents: If you live in the city, bring your DNI to get free entry.
During the Spanish Civil War
During the Spanish Civil War, the cathedral served as an air raid shelter protecting civilians during the 54 bombing raids that hit Almería. The city’s underground bunker system extended 4.5 kilometres and could shelter 40,000 people when full. The cathedral’s fortress design, initially built to withstand pirates, proved useful once again centuries later.
FAQs about Almería Cathedral
When was Almería Cathedral built? Construction began in 1524 after an earthquake destroyed the previous cathedral. It was completed in 1564.
Why does it look like a fortress? Because it was one. The cathedral was designed to protect the population from Barbary pirate raids that plagued the coast throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. The flat roof held cannons, and the thick walls had gun ports.
Do children pay to enter Almería Cathedral? No. Children up to 12 enter free when accompanied by an adult.
Is the audio guide included? Yes, it’s included free with all paid admission tickets.
Can I climb the bell tower? Yes, on Fridays and Saturdays via guided tour (€5). The tour runs at 13:00 and 17:30 and must be booked in advance.
What’s the Sol de Portocarrero? A carved sun symbol on the eastern wall, now used as Almería’s provincial emblem. Despite the name, it was commissioned by Bishop Villalán, not Portocarrero.
Is advance booking required? Not for general admission, but recommended for bell tower tours which have limited spaces.
What happened in 1522? A major earthquake completely destroyed the previous cathedral, prompting construction of the current fortress-cathedral.
Can I attend Mass for free? Yes, check the website for current Mass schedules. As at most European cathedrals, attending services is free.
How long does a visit take? Most people spend 45-60 minutes exploring the cathedral and cloister. Add another 30-45 minutes if you’re doing the bell tower tour.
More Andalucia travel
Other Andalucia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect at the Guitar Museum in Almeria.
- Does the Almeria to Granada train make for a viable day trip?
- Visitor guide to the Alcazaba in Malaga.
- What to expect at the Royal Chapel of Granada.
- A first-time visitor’s guide to Seville Cathedral.
