Lost in the desert
Since the late nineteen-fifties, more than 300 films have been shot in the Tabernas Desert. Here Sergio Leone filmed his Trilogía del dólar (the "Dollars Trilogy") with Clint Eastwood: Por un puñado de dólares (1964), La muerte tenía un precio (1965) and El bueno, el feo y el malo (1966). The production designer Carlo Simi built a Western town that is today the Oasys MiniHollywood park; Fort Bravo/Texas Hollywood and Western Leone also survive.
It is worth remembering that not everything was filmed here: the Sad Hill cemetery, from the final duel of El bueno, el feo y el malo, is actually in the province of Burgos. In 2020 the European Film Academy declared this landscape a "Treasure of European Film Culture".
- 01 DepartureTabernas area
- 02 Ramblas and canyonsDry riverbeds
- 03 Caves and film setsNatural scenery
- 04 Badlands and panoramasDesert views
Extreme geology
Ramblas, gullies and badlands
On poor soils of marls and sandstones, torrential rains have carved out gullies, ravines and ramblas — dry beds that only carry water after storms. Little more than 200 mm of water falls each year and the sun shines for nearly 3,000 hours: an aridity that explains this bare, almost lunar relief, the realm of esparto and tamariscos, where with luck you can spot the abejaruco (bee-eater) or the perdiz roja (red-legged partridge).
Light and panoramas
The desert at sunset
Towards the foothills of the Sierra Alhamilla, the route opens out into wide panoramas. When the light drops and tints the marls ochre, the desert turns silent and vast: the best moment to stop the buggy and look.
- Por un puñado de dólares
- La muerte tenía un precio
- El bueno, el feo y el malo
- Indiana Jones y la última cruzada
- Lawrence de Arabia
Land of cinema
The Dollars Trilogy
Sergio Leone shot his legendary westerns here; the town of Yucca City is today Mini Hollywood.
An open-air film set
From Lawrence of Arabia to Exodus: more than 300 productions have filmed in Tabernas.
Badlands at sunset
Gullies, esparto and ochre horizons: the desert turns silent and vast.
Prices and departure
Indicative rates per vehicle: confirm when booking.
Route operated by Buggy Almería.
Book with Buggy Almería