Tabernas

Why visit Tabernas

The Tabernas desert, shielded from rain by the surrounding mountains, is a protected landscape of eroded gullies, dry riverbeds and bare ridges unlike anywhere else in Europe. In the 1960s and 1970s its resemblance to the American West drew film-makers such as Sergio Leone, and some of their sets survive as Western theme parks. The village itself is small, crowned by the ruins of a Moorish castle. Tabernas suits families, film fans, photographers and anyone who wants to see a different side of Andalucía.

What to see and do in Tabernas

Oasys MiniHollywood and Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood keep their saloons, banks and sheriff's offices from the spaghetti-western era and put on stunt shows; Oasys also has a zoo. For the desert itself, follow the signed viewpoints and short trails through the badlands, or join a horse-riding outing through the riverbeds. The Moorish castle on its hill gives views over the village and the desert. Almazara Oro del Desierto produces organic olive oil in this dry land and offers visits and tastings. Nearby, the Calar Alto observatory road climbs into the Sierra de los Filabres, a challenge for cyclists, and the Cuevas de Sorbas, a gypsum cave system, are about 30 minutes away.

A day in Tabernas

Arrive early at one of the Western film sets to catch a stunt show, then drive to a desert viewpoint for photos of the badlands. Have lunch in a roadside venta, followed by a visit and tasting at the Oro del Desierto olive mill. In the cooler late afternoon, take a horse ride through the riverbeds or climb to the castle.

Food and local life

Roadside ventas serve hearty dishes such as migas, ajo colorao and kid with garlic. Tabernas olive oil and local almonds make good souvenirs. Take water and a hat; summers are fierce and shade is scarce.

Around Tabernas

Tabernas gives its name to the Filabres-Tabernas comarca, which also includes Sorbas, with its gypsum caves and cliff-edge houses, and Lucainena de las Torres, a former mining village with a greenway. The Sierra de los Filabres and the Calar Alto observatory rise to the north, and Almería is 30 minutes away.

See every town and village on the Filabres-Tabernas page.

Getting there and around

Tabernas is in the Filabres-Tabernas comarca, about 30 km north of Almería, roughly 30 minutes by car on the A-92. There are buses from Almería, but a car is needed for the film sets and viewpoints. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; avoid the midday heat in summer. Guided tours and jeep trips run from Almería.