Tabernas Desert : Top 10 things to see and do

Visit the Tabernas Desert, a land of films in a western atmosphere

In this article you’ll find all the information you need to visit the Tabernas Desert and find out everything you need to see and do:

• A few words about the Tabernas Desert
• Where is the Tabernas Desert on the map?
• What to see and do in the Tabernas Desert
• What to do there
• Booking accommodation
• Dates of the Tabernas fair
• What to do around Tabernas
• Useful links (bookings and visits in Andalucia)
• Continuing your trip to Andalucia

A few words about the Tabernas Desert

In recent years, the Tabernas Desert has become a must-see in Andalucia.

This incredible site, the Tabernas Desert, has become known the world over thanks to the cinema and its relationship with the Hollywood film studios since the 1960s.

It has to be said that Tabernas and its desert offer a multitude of incredible landscapes and places to discover.

First and foremost, however, it has been classified as a Biosphere Reserve. Despite its arid appearance, the Tabernas desert and its surroundings are part of the Sierra Nevada Biosphere Reserve. It has also been a Protected Natural Area since 1989.

This desert landscape is located in the province of Almeria. It is officially the only desert in Europe.

Lastly, the origin of the name TABERNAS is rather unusual, coming from the Greek legions that accompanied the Romans. They called it Thabernax or Thabernae because of the large number of inns needed to camp the legions that stopped here.

Where is the Tabernas Desert on the map?

The Tabernas Desert is around 30km from Almeria.

Things to see and do in the Tabernas Desert

1 – Landscapes of the Tabernas Desert

2 – Moorish castle of Tabernas – a must-see in the Tabernas desert

3 – The viewpoint of Tabernas

4 – Tabernas the town

5 – Oasys Mini Hollywood

6 – Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood

7 – Western Leone Western Village

8 – Oro Del Desierto oil mill

9 – Star gazing

10 – Hiking trails

One thing’s for sure: when you arrive in the Tabernas Desert, you immediately get the feeling that you’re in a film set.

Depending on your film culture, you may feel as if you’re in a spaghetti western, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or Game of Thrones.

Landscapes of the Tabernas Desert

Despite the fact that this is a desert, and therefore a very arid area, there is an impressive variety of landscapes.

Note: curiously enough, there is also a fairly wide variety of flora and fauna in this desert. There is even a species of tortoise that lives there: the black-headed tortoise.

Although it’s hard to imagine, this desert was entirely covered by sea water millions of years ago. That’s why you can find marine fossils when you walk through it.

It’s very easy to get around. However, you need to take a minimum of precautions. The Tabernas Desert has extreme temperatures, with very hot summers – up to 50 degrees in the shade, when there is any – and cold nights. Winter temperatures can be as low as 9 degrees.

It’s advisable to dress appropriately for the weather and take plenty of water with you, especially during the summer months.

Note: there is very little vegetation and therefore very little humidity. As a result, the land undergoes considerable erosion, forming the characteristic badlands landscapes. Some of these landscapes can be found in what is commonly known as the Gorafe desert – Granada – and all around the incredible town of Guadix and its 2,000 troglodyte dwellings.

Tabernas Castle – a must-see in the Tabernas desert

This place was a wonderful surprise, and it’s a shame that so little is said about it, even though it undoubtedly offers some of the best views of the Tabernas Desert.

Tabernas Castle was built almost 1,000 years ago, in the 11th century, during the Almohad period of Muslim rule. It was the most important Moorish fortress in the province after that of Almeria. It was also the residence of the great El Zagal in the 15th century.

After the conquest by the Catholic kings in the early 16th century (1522), Charles V ordered the rebuilding of the castle, which until then had been in a state of neglect.

During this period, the province of Almeria suffered from numerous attacks by Berber pirates. This did not prevent the pirates from attacking and pillaging Tabernas in 1566.

From this castle you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the town of Tabernas, which lies just below:

The Tabernas viewpoint

The view over the Tabernas desert is simply breathtaking. It’s a view that I think will stay with you forever.

Tabernas town – what to see

The town of Tabernas is famous for being the driest in Spain and for giving the desert its name.

The town of Tabernas is well worth a visit to discover:

• La Ermita de San Sebastián: this is a small temple in the popular Gothic style, built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It was originally the local synagogue. It is located just off the Plaça Adolfo Suarez.
• The church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, over 500 years old,
• The town’s stately homes,
• Terrera Ventura Interpretation Centre, a museum where you can learn about the first Neolithic settlements in the Tabernas Desert.

Film sets in the Tabernas Desert

Since the 1960s, more than…. 300 films, particularly westerns, have been shot in this desert. For your information, the Tabernas Desert has been designated by the European Film Academy as a ‘treasure trove of European film culture’.

Visiting the film sets is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of the seventh art and in particular spaghetti westerns. It’s also a chance to discover some of the behind-the-scenes secrets behind some of the most iconic films of all time:

Lawrence of Arabia, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, Once Upon a Time in the West, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Exodus, Patton, Mad Max III.

It’s a strange feeling to find yourself in a place where world-famous stars such as Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Peter O’toole, Omar Sharif, Anthony Queen and Sir Alec Guinness have stayed for weeks at a time.

The same goes for directors such as Steven Spielberg, Sergio Leone, John Milius, Ridley Scott and David Lean.

Oasys Mini Hollywood 

It is one of the most visited sites. There are several different areas and themes within this 30-hectare site.

Inside you can visit a saloon, a bank office, the sheriff’s office and the telegraph station. There are also two museums displaying numerous objects linked to the filming that took place here.

In addition to some of Sergio Leone’s films, the sets on this plateau were also used for other films: ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962), ‘Cleopatra’ (1963) and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989), among others.

Here’s the link to book your tickets online for Oasys Mini Hollywood.

Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood

At the Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood theme park, you can also see original sets and attend shows. The shows are aimed at adults and children alike.

This theme park and film set was used in 1966 for ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’, and starred Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Elli Wallach.

Western Leone Western Village

This site is without doubt the smallest and worst preserved. It’s a shame, because Sergio Leone’s imprint is very strong here.

What’s more, legendary actors such as Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda have filmed here.

A little personal comment 🙂 :

It’s funny to think of the impact of the 7th art, of cinema, on the collective unconscious. Indeed, these film sets represent the American West with its cowboys. However, the sets and costumes of the American West come from… Spain. In fact, it was Spanish settlers from Seville who imported this way of life to the United States in the 15th and 16th centuries. To see for yourself, all you have to do is visit El Rocio in the province of Cadiz.

Oro Del Desierto oil mill

Here’s an idea for a surprising visit to Tabernas, for a bit of olive oil tourism.

Visit the Oro Del Desierto oil mill and learn a little more about the production of extra virgin olive oil.

Here’s a link to the address for a guided tour of the Los Albardinales mill-museum in Tabernas.

Of course, you can also buy desert olive oil – at a price – without taking the tour.

Note: curiously enough, despite this arid area, there is a second olive oil mill in Tabernas. This is the Castillo de Tabernas oil mill.

Observation of the stars

The region’s low light pollution makes the Tabernas desert an ideal place for astrotourism. Of course, you have to get there at night 🙂

NB: if you’re in the province of Granada there’s also a great astrotourism site in Alhama de Granada, at my friend Stéphane’s place.

Hiking trails

There are several hiking trails to explore the natural beauty of the desert. Among the best known is the Ruta de los Colosos, which offers spectacular panoramic views.

Other things to do in the Tabernas Desert

There is a wide range of activities to do in the Tabernas Desert, many of which have a natural theme.

Below is an activity that lets you discover this desert, get in touch with nature and almost feel like you’re in a Western 🙂 :

• If you love nature and horses, then you’ll love this horse ride in the Tabernas desert.

Here are the other excursions and activities on offer in Tabernas and the surrounding area:

What’s more, you can book them online today (with free cancellation).

Note: For travellers in Almeria, here is a link to: an excursion to the Tabernas Desert from Almería.

Book accommodation

Below you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in and around Tabernas after selecting your dates:

Dates for the Tabernas Fair

The Feria de Tabernas in August can be an opportunity to add a very festive evening after visiting the desert.

What to do around Tabernas?

There are some fabulous sites to discover in the area around Tabernas. Here are 3 ideas for visits fairly close to Tabernas desert.

La Isleta del Moro

La Isleta del Moro is one of my favourites in the province of Almeria. I’ve never ceased to be fascinated by its ‘end of the world’ feel.

If you get the chance, don’t hesitate to pay a visit to the Isleta del Moro (link under construction).

Nijar

Nijar is a wonderful village in the province of Almeria. It is on the list of ‘Pueblos más bonitos de España’.

Nijar is the ideal little town from which to explore the province of Almeria. You’ll also find some great things to see in Nijar (link under construction).

Mojacar

A delightful white village in the province of Almeria. One of the most beautiful white villages in Spain, with a long history and… 17km of beaches.

Here’s the link if you want to visit Mojacar.

Some ideas and useful links

The links below can be very useful depending on where you are staying and what you need to do to have a wonderful time in Andalucia.

• An interactive map of Andalucia to find lots of ideas for visits around you, off the beaten track.

• link to book a rental car at Malaga airport.

• link to book a rental car anywhere else in Andalucia with the rentalcars platform.

• If you’re on the Costa del Sol and looking for ideas for excursions in Andalucia, you can use the following link to book a tour departing from Málaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.

Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalucia blog pages.

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