Which Spanish desert lies in Almería province?

The Spanish desert in Almería province is the Tabernas Desert. It lies in southeastern Spain, north of the city of Almería, within a dry landscape of eroded hills, ravines, and sparsely vegetated badlands.

Its aridity is caused by a combination of subtropical high pressure, the surrounding mountain ranges, and rain-shadow effects. Annual rainfall is very low and often arrives in short, intense storms, which carve gullies into the soft sedimentary rock. Despite its desert appearance, the region supports specially adapted plants and animals.

The landscape became internationally famous in the 20th century when filmmakers used it as a stand-in for the American West, North Africa, and other frontier settings. Hundreds of films and television productions were shot there, especially during the era of European westerns. This is why the area is sometimes nicknamed “the Hollywood of Almería.”

The Tabernas Desert is often confused with Spain’s Bardenas Reales, Monegros, or Gorafe landscapes. Those are also dry, desert-like regions, but they are located in different provinces.