Tabernas Desert

The Tabernas Desert, 25 km north of Almeria has for decades provided film makers with suitable locations for a range of movies set in the frontier land of the American "Wild west". As Europe's only real desert the dramatic natural scenery continues to inspire a number of directors that included Sergio Leone. The Spaghetti Westerns of the late 60's were all filmed here in one of three film sets in the area.

All are now open to the public as theme parks and but continue as film sets. Texas Hollywood, Mini Hollywood and Western Leone all provide a flavour of the "Wild West" and will present you with some familiar scenery. They all provide daily shows recreating the Wild West and Mini Hollywood has a zoo with exotic birds, African animals and reptiles. It is best to check the opening times of the parks when you know your travel dates. All the parks are within a few kilometres of each other 25 km north of Almeria city on the A370 west of Tabernas.

Some of the films shot in the Tabernas Desert include Lawrence of Arabia, The Magnificent Seven, For a Few Dollars More, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Conan the Barbarian, Indiana Jones, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome as well as the Pepsi commercials with David Beckham and other famous footballers.