When a film director yells “Give me desolation, give me barren, and give me solitude!” location scouts head for Tabernas in Almeria in southern Spain.
Hot, dry, dusty and mountainous, the area is home to Europe’s only desert. A harsh and unforgiving landscape it’s played a major role in many big blockbuster successes. ‘A Fistful of dollars,’ ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,’ ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,’ are just some of the films that have been shot in this stunning part of the world. When the cameras stopped rolling, movie makers left their sets behind and some of these have been turned into theme parks. There are also many places to visit that you’ll recognise from the silver screen. So here are my top three attractions in Almeria where you can catch a glimpse of movie history.
1. Texas Hollywood
If you want to fire off a gun (not real), round up some baddies (members of your family in costume) and save the township (a few old film sets) then Texas Hollywood movie attraction them park is the place for you. All the sets are genuine and have had starring roles in a plethora of spaghetti westerns, and it really does feel like you’re walking through an old town in the Wild West
Several times a day there’s a gunfight as local actors put on an entertaining and highly comical show. Their horse riding skills are amazing and you’ll find it easy to get caught up in the adventure. Film fans might be interested to know that the theme park is still a working location.
2. Oasys
4 kilometres up the road from Texas Hollywood is Oasys, another theme park built around a western film set. It’s much bigger than Texas Hollywood and includes a safari park and a water park.
No longer a working location, Oasys is given over fully to the theme park business. Sergio Leone’s ‘Dollars’ trilogy was shot here and many of the sets are still standing. There are plenty of snack bars and restaurants, a cinema and an exhibition of movie memorabilia. Stagecoach, gunfight and cowboy shows run throughout the day for a real taste of the fake wild west.
3. Beaches
Movie buffs frequently make their way to Almeria on a ‘Lawrence of Arabia‘ trek. Many famous scenes were shot in the area and though the sets have gone, the landmarks are clearly recognisable. Near the resort town of Carboneras is the Playa del Algarrobico, a beach that was turned into the town of ‘Aqaba.’ Another notable location is Genovese Beach in San Jose on the Cabo de Gata, the scene of the famous attack on the train.
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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Tags: Andalusia, family, Spain
About the author
Paul is a freelance writer living in sunny Almeria in southern Spain. He adores travel and exploration, and has been to both the Arctic and Antarctica. In his spare time he reads voraciously, usually whilst lying on the beach.
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