If you’ve always dreamed of exploring the American Old West, but a trip across the Atlantic seems out of reach, Spain might hold the answer. Europe’s only desert, the Tabernas Desert, nestled in the province of Almeria, offers an authentic Wild West experience without leaving the continent. Its arid, lunar-like landscape has become a backdrop for numerous iconic films and television shows, including *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*, and even *Game of Thrones*.
Stretching across 11,625 hectares between the Filabres and Alhamilla mountain ranges, the Tabernas Desert is a natural beauty spot, dubbed ‘unique’ and ‘magnificent’ by TikTokers. It’s a true desert, not just a semi-arid region, boasting canyons, gullies, ravines, canals, and fairy chimneys. The chromatic variety of the landscape, with its dark bluish black coal, white kaolin and gypsum, red clays, and varied marls, creates an unforgettable visual spectacle.
A mere thirty-kilometer drive from the coastal city of Almeria transports you into this vast, authentic desert landscape. It’s a reminder that nature offers incredible experiences much closer than we think.
How to Get to Almeria and the Tabernas Desert
Getting to Almeria is straightforward, with direct flights from multiple UK cities like Manchester, London, and Birmingham. The flight from London takes about two hours and forty minutes. From Almeria airport, you can take a bus to Tabernas (around 40 minutes), a taxi, or rent a car for a 25-minute drive.
Exploring the Tabernas Desert
For an immersive experience, consider booking a tour. Options include jeep tours, hiking, or even horseback riding through the desert for the ultimate cowboy feel.
Film buffs can explore the ‘Mini Hollywood,’ a collection of spaghetti western film studios set in the desert. Fort Bravo, Oasys, and Western Leone, now considered theme parks, welcome visitors with shows and attractions. Walk in the footsteps of Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, and other legendary actors, experiencing the real locations from some of your favorite movies.
If you’re looking for history, visit Castillo de Tabernas, the ruins of an 11th-century Islamic fortress. Once you’ve explored the desert, Almeria itself has much to offer, including the Cathedral of Almeria and Cabo de Gata National Park, known as the ‘jewel of the province’ for its coastal cliffs and crystal clear waters.
For history buffs, the city center boasts the remains of a stunning 15th-century castle. And crystal enthusiasts can’t miss the Pulpi Geode, an underground crystal cave housing the world’s largest accessible geode.
Weather in Tabernas
The Tabernas Desert enjoys a hot, dry climate, with little rain. Summer temperatures climb above 30°C, providing that classic Wild West feel. Winter brings cooler temperatures, averaging around 4°C, rarely dipping below 1°C. The best time to visit for warm weather is between late June and late August.
