2026 Tabernas Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in July)

This trip to Almería, Spain, was truly worth it. Along the way, the olive groves gradually faded, replaced by more and more rolling hills, mountains, and rocky deserts. On the road, I was already amazed at how "Western" Almería felt, so it's no wonder many directors come here to film Westerns. It's likely due to the excellent geographical conditions and cost-effective production. Almería's name is remembered, in part, because of the Alcazaba of Almería, which we were about to visit. Before coming, I filled out several filming permit forms, so I paid extra attention to the Almería itinerary. This 3-day, 2-night trip fully showcased its reputation as "European Hollywood." Filming crews from over a dozen countries, including Italy, France, Spain, and the United States, come here to shoot. The familiar "Dollars Trilogy," Indiana Jones series, and multiple seasons of Game of Thrones were all filmed here. What was particularly impressive was being driven by a professional guide to the filming locations of classic works. Many years have passed since these movies were made, but the hills of the outdoor sets remain the same, leaving a lasting impression and allowing one to truly immerse themselves in the experience. The Tabernas Desert Natural Park, the beaches of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, and three studio sets including Mini Hollywood Studios, Texas Hollywood, and Western Leone, form Almería's film location area. The film industry here is well-developed, and the production system is mature, with hundreds of works filmed here, making it a highly sought-after favorite among directors. It is precisely because of its unique land and sea geographical features that its extremely peculiar natural landscape has become a beloved international film set for directors, especially with over hundreds of film and television works shot here, allowing the world to see many great stories on the big screen. For example, recent films familiar to movie enthusiasts include *Wonder Woman 1984*, *Game of Thrones*, *Black Mirror*, *Doctor Who*, *Zorro*, *Man in the Wilderness* (1971), *Django*, *A Fistful of Dollars*, *For a Few Dollars More*, *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*, and many more. This time, Uncle Miao drove a 4x4 jeep, diligently searching for film locations in the desert. Comparing them with the guide's film location map booklet, I truly commend the location scouts! We visited four or five outdoor locations in the desert, with diverse landscapes. Under the blue sky and white clouds, these seemingly ordinary rocks and riverbeds have long become powerful tools for directors' creative endeavors! It's worth mentioning that Uncle Miao caught the performance show at Mini Hollywood, which was very dramatic and genuinely energetic! The surrounding buildings were filled with young students on spring outings and tourists who came specifically for the show. I truly envied them! Being there, the excitement of edutainment allowed the children to learn a lot about cowboy stories from a young age! After the show, taking photos with the actors, I truly praised the beauty between the mountains and the sea of Almería! Brand Acknowledgments: Top: WILD ROCK Pants: WILD ROCK T-shirt: WILD ROCK Underwear: UTO Shoes: NORTHLAND Bracelet: Shule Ding Anti-Dizziness Device Ring: Lingxi Magic Ring Acknowledgments: Spanish National Tourist Office Andalusia Tourist Board Almería Tourist Board

If you think Andalusia is just about white villages, flamenco, and olive trees, Almería will definitely change your perception. Here lies Europe’s only true desert—the Desierto de Tabernas. ✨Desierto de Tabernas (Tabernas Desert) The moment you drive into the desert, it feels surreal: barren hills, cracked earth, a treeless horizon, and the air filled with waves of heat, as if you’ve stepped straight into Arizona, USA. No wonder this place became Europe’s legendary “natural film studio.” Classics like "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," "For a Few Dollars More," "Lawrence of Arabia," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," and "Cleopatra" were all filmed here. ✨Oasys MiniHollywood In the heart of the desert lies a real Western movie set. In the 1960s, director Sergio Leone built an entire cowboy town here to shoot Westerns. The set was later preserved intact and turned into today’s movie theme park. Wooden saloons, sheriff’s office, stables, dusty streets, cowboy duel shows... More than the theme park, what amazed me most was the desert itself. You can take a 4×4 off-road vehicle to explore. The whole barren mountain looks like it’s been repeatedly scorched by the sun, with shifting light and shadows. Any silhouette or stretch of road looks like a movie trailer. ✨Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar (Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park) Heading further southeast, this is one of Europe’s driest nature reserves, featuring volcanic rocks, desert ridges, almost deserted coastlines, and a Mediterranean Sea so blue it seems unreal—nothing like the traditional “Spanish seaside.” Recommendations: 📍Playa de los Muertos One of Spain’s most beautiful beaches, with crystal-clear water shining after a hike down the hill. 📍Playa de Mónsul Huge volcanic rocks line the shore, giving it a very cinematic feel. 📍Arrecife de las Sirenas At sunset, it looks like an alien planet, with black reefs jutting into the sea—truly breathtaking. This area also has many quiet white villages: San José, Las Negras, Agua Amarga. At night, there’s almost no light pollution, and the starry sky is incredibly dense. ✨Almería City Back in Almería city, you enter a different kind of cinematic atmosphere. The Alcazaba of Almería is the largest Moorish fortress in Andalusia, built in 955 AD. It preserves its walls, towers, courtyards, and gardens intact. With its strong Middle Eastern vibe, it has been a filming location for "Conan the Barbarian," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," and "Game of Thrones." Climbing the walls is especially stunning: on one side, the white old town and harbor; on the other, desert and sea. When the wind blows over the stone walls, you suddenly feel how truly “cinematic” this place is. La Medina, the old town, retains a strong Arab atmosphere; the palm avenue in Parque Nicolás Salmerón is especially beautiful at dusk; the Walk of Fame records the city’s connection to cinema. In one day, you can go from the Western desert, volcanic coast, Moorish fortress, to the movie district. You’ll really wonder: Am I still in Europe?

It’s Oasys MiniHollywood (also known as Mini Hollywood in the Tabernas Desert), located in Tabernas Desert near Almería. This place is wild in the best way — an old Western movie set turned theme park in the only true desert in mainland Europe. Tons of spaghetti westerns were filmed here, so walking around feels like stepping straight into a Clint Eastwood film. Top Spots to Visit: 🤠 Western town sets: Wooden saloons, dusty streets, and cowboy-style buildings where you can literally walk through film history. 🐒 Zoo & oasis area: Unexpected contrast — a green oasis with animals, palm trees, and shaded gardens in the middle of the desert. 🎬 Show reenactments: Live cowboy shows with shootouts and stunt scenes (very theatrical, very fun, very “old Hollywood”). Practical Tip: Go early or late in the day — the desert heat in Almería is no joke, especially in summer. Wrap-Up Tips: 🍴 Food: There are on-site restaurants with simple menus (burgers, grilled dishes, snacks). ☀️ Weather: Extremely sunny and dry — bring water, hat, and sunscreen. 🚗 Getting Around: Best accessed by car from Almería city (about 30–40 minutes). #MiniHollywood #TabernasDesert #Almeria #WesternVibes #SpainTravel #MovieSets #TravelTips

Come to Andaluca, the "Lor Westerns" theme park in Hollywood, Spain, and feel the feeling of being in Hollywood. There is a small town in the western United States, and it really seems to have crossed into the American western blockbuster that I saw on the big screen a long time ago. Watching a theater in front of you, every actor's dedication in the hot summer is really admirable, and every movement and expression is in place. If you are a favorite of Western American culture, or a friend who likes Hollywood movies, then it is worth your time to play card ~ tickets: 22.9 Euro for adults and 13.6 Euro for children