The Tabernas Desert (Desierto de Tabernas) is one of the most unique nature reserves in Spain. Located in the province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, this desert is known as the only real desert in Europe. Andalusia has much more to offer than just sun, the beach and some touristic souvenirs. So exchange the tourist coast for the outback of Spain and discover the impressive rock formations and sand plains in the region.
Is Tabernas a desert or semi-desert?
Although Tabernas is often referred to as Europe’s one and only desert, strictly speaking it is actually a semi-desert. That’s because Tabernas does not entirely meet the criteria to be defined as a real desert. This is because some parts of Tabernas experience slightly more precipitation per year than what is allowed to be considered a real desert. This is also reflected in the landscape. The Tabernas Desert is relatively empty, but still has plenty of plants and animals that have managed to adapt to the dry conditions. Think of the succulents and animals that live there, such as the Moorish Tortoise, the fox, the wild cat and various types of lizards and snakes.
The still low amounts of precipitation are due to its location between the surrounding mountain ranges such as Sierre de los Filabres and Sierra de Alhamilla. These mountains ensure that large amounts of rain usually do not reach the desert. In addition, there is high evaporation, given the high temperatures. For example, winters are mild and temperatures rarely drop below freezing, while summers are regularly extremely hot, with temperatures above 40°C being no exception. The sun shines about 3,000 hours a year, which is unprecedented in Europe.
What to see and do in the Tabernas desert?
The Tabernas Desert covers an area of approximately 280 square kilometers and is located about 30 kilometers north of the city of Almería. The desert is therefore a welcome change for those who would like to exchange the tourist coast for something different. The Tabernas Desert forms an impressive backdrop of dramatic rock formations, deep ravines and dry riverbeds. The soil consists mainly of clay and sand, which contributes to erosion and the formation of distinctive geological structures.
Due to the impressive landscape, Tabernas is beautiful to drive through, but you can also enjoy stargazing (due to little light pollution), take photographs and take various hikes. Think of the Ruta del Desierto de Tabernas (leads you through the heart of the desert), Ruto de los Banderos (follows the footsteps of infamous bandits who used to be active in this area) and Ruta de las Minas (leads you past old mines that were used in the past for mineral extraction). Another activity you can do is visit the old Western sets and theme parks. The Tabernas Desert was a well-known location for filming spaghetti westerns in the 20th century. Well-known films such as ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’, ‘Once upon a Time in the West and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ were (partly) filmed here. You can visit the old film set, but you can also reenact film scenes or take a ride on a horse.
Best time to visit the Tabernas desert
The best time to visit the Tabernas desert is in spring and autumn when temperatures are not too cold, but above all not too hot. Summers can be extremely hot, making hiking and other outdoor activities challenging or even dangerous. Especially because there is little to no shelter. Therefore, prepare yourself well when you visit the desert. Bring plenty of water and protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and suitable clothing. Furthermore, keep in mind that it is unwise to go off the beaten track to explore the desert on your own. Although Tabernas is a relatively small desert, it is easy to get lost without any obvious landmarks.
