The Circuito de Almería, located in southern Spain’s arid Andalusian desert, is a technical, flowing, and elevation-heavy track that’s become a favorite winter testing and training ground for many racers and trackday riders across Europe.
From a motorcycle trackday perspective, it’s a challenging but immensely rewarding circuit with excellent grip, low traffic, and epic scenery. It’s often used for serious riding trips or multi-day training events—especially in the off-season.
🏁 Track Overview
-
Length: 4.025 km (2.5 mi)
-
Turns: 14 (8 right, 6 left)
-
Main straight: ~900 meters
-
Elevation change: Over 50 meters! Significant.
-
Direction: Clockwise
-
Surface: High-grip, low wear
🏍️ Why Riders Love Almería
✅ Strengths
-
Elevation & Flow
Almería is famous for its rolling elevation changes—you’re constantly climbing or dropping through turns. This creates a rollercoaster effect that challenges body position, vision, and line discipline. -
Low Traffic / Focused Riders
Since it’s somewhat remote, most trackdays attract dedicated riders or racer training camps. Fewer distractions, more focused sessions. -
Perfect Winter Riding
Situated in Europe’s driest region, it boasts sunshine year-round, especially ideal from November to March when other circuits are too cold or wet. -
Great Grip
The track surface is abrasive enough for good traction, but not so harsh that it eats tires—great for confidence on corner entry and acceleration.
⚠️ Challenges
-
Remote Location
The circuit is in the middle of nowhere—no hotels, fuel, or restaurants on-site. You’ll typically stay in Tabernas, Almería city, or with a trackday package that includes accommodation and transport. -
Noisy Trackdays Only
Very few noise restrictions—great for race bikes, but don’t expect a quiet road bike-friendly experience. -
Technical Track
Almería requires concentration. It’s full of blind crests, late apexes, and fast transitions. It’s physically and mentally taxing, especially on liter bikes.
🔑 Key Corners & Sections
-
Turn 1
Fast approach, wide entry, leads into a flowing rhythm. You must get this right to set up the whole lap. -
Turns 3–4
A tight left-right combo with a slight crest. Entry precision and throttle patience are key. -
Turn 7 (The Drop)
A blind downhill right-hander. Confidence and commitment are required. -
Turn 9 (Corkscrew-like section)
Twisting left-right over a crest—very technical and satisfying when done right. -
Final Sector
Slightly more open but rewards smooth throttle and good line choice. Sets up for the fast main straight.
🔧 Setup & Riding Tips
-
Tires: Don’t wear excessively, but the long sessions and heat can cook rears—bring warmers and adjust pressures accordingly.
-
Suspension: Prioritize compliance and control over bumps and crests. Setup for mid-corner stability more than hard braking.
-
Gearing: Mid-range gearing is good; you’ll use all gears, but there’s less full-throttle time than at Catalunya or Portimão.
-
Brakes: Not as brake-intensive, but you’ll want consistent feel and strong initial bite for downhill braking zones.
🧭 Logistics
-
Nearest Airport:
-
Almería (LEI) – ~30–40 min
-
Alicante (ALC) – ~2.5 hours
-
Malaga (AGP) – ~2.5–3 hours
-
-
Accommodation:
-
Riders usually stay in Tabernas, Almería city, or trackday-inclusive villas/hotels.
-
Some providers offer full packages (bike hire, transport, accommodation, food).
-
-
Trackday Providers:
-
Circuito de Almería (in-house)
-
Racecracks
-
No Limits Trackdays
-
MotoBreaks, Fastrack Riders, and others offer fly-in/fly-out packages
-
✅ Best For:
-
Riders looking for serious skill development in a challenging, technical environment
-
Winter trackday warriors and pre-season racers
-
Intermediate to advanced riders—novices may find it intimidating at first
