Hollywood theme parks

Movie buffs in particular enjoy a visit to the little village of Tabernas, about 26 kilometres from Almeria city, set between the Sierra de Alhamilla and Sierra de Filabres in a barren landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland reminiscent of the badlands of the American south west.

A few decades ago legendary stars of western movies such as Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Yul Bryner strutted their stuff here in the dry desert heat on film sets which fans will recognise from the great spaghetti westerns such as the good the bad and the ugly, A fistful of dollars and the magnificent seven.

These movie lots have been converted into theme parks. There are three to visit; Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone named after the famous director.
All three provide live shows throughout the day, with stagecoach rides, gun fights and more. There are saloons for refreshment and at mini Hollywood there is a film museum, swimming pool, children’s play areas and a zoo with over 150 species from around the world.

Places of interest

In Vera the local town there is an historic bull ring which has been rebuilt and is in excellent condition where they still hold regular bullfights. There is also a small free admission museum on the site.

Saliente Monastry in the local town of Albox

Los Millares is considered the most important European archaeological site of the copper age. It is located in the municipality of Santee Fe de Mondujar, some 17 kilometres from Almeria on a spur shaped plateau between the Andrax River and the Rambla de Huechar.

Castle & Palace Marques de los Velez is located in Cuevas Del Almanzora and now houses a contemporary Art Museum

Castle of Marques de los Velez (Velez Blanco). This is the most important monument in Velez Blanco. Built in 1506 and 1515. The castle once housed a Renaissance palace, which was destroyed in 1903.. Its contents are now found in the Museum of decorative arts Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Alcazaba de Almeria is set high on a ridge lying parallel to the coast overlooking the capital of Almeria looking out towards the sea.

Its 1430 metres of fortified walls enclose an area of 4 hectares (about 18 acres). The site was once occupied by the Carthaginians but the present fortification dates from 955AD, when Almeria was the principal Moorish port on the peninsular.
It fell briefly to the crusaders 1147 to 1157), only to be reconquered by the Moors, who were again successful in 1307 when they withstood the siege of James 111 of Spain.

The fortress comprises of 3 areas of development. The earliest site has become a pleasant formal garden, which was constructed over the original medieval buildings. From the extreme Eastern end of the walls, yet another wall (built), reaching up to St. Christopher’s Hill, gave protection to the old city. A much later addition, about 1763, is the bell tower of St. Mary the Great, used to warn inhabitants of pirate attacks.

The second sector encloses later medieval buildings; the living quarters, a mosque, baths and aljibes (water storage units). These and a hermitage built on the order of Catholic kings, as well as a reconstructed Moorish house can be seen today.
The third sector, whose thick ashlar walls and solid circular towers denote its defensive military purpose, is at the most westerly part of the Alcazaba. This fortress was built at the end of the 15th century by Ferdinand and Isabella, and organised around a parade ground, its towers providing an excellent lookout over the harbour.

A good free guide to the Alcazaba, giving much more information and a clear ground plan, can be obtained at the gate. The entrance is free to E.U. passport holders.
This wonderful historical monument is open throughout the year. Except on Mondays and Christmas and New Years day.

Cabo de Gata natural park

Covering 45,663 hectares to the east of Almeria city Cabo de Gata is Andalucia’s largest coastal protected area, a wild and isolated l;andscape with some of Europe’s most original geological features.

The eponymous mountain range is Spain’s largest volcanic rock formation with sharp peaks and crags in ochre-hues. It falls steeply to the sea crating jagged 100m high cliffs, which are riven by gullies leading to hidden coves with white sandy beaches, some of the most beautiful in Andalucia. Offshore are numerous tiny rocky islands and, underwater extensive coral reefs teeming with marine life.

High temperatures and the lowest rainfall in the Iberian peninsular has created a large semi-desert area, with characteristic shrubby vegetation and dwarf palms. But the park also houses an outstanding variety of habitats, from coastal dunes, beaches, steep cliffs, saltpans, a substantial marine zone, saltmarshes, inland arid steppe and dry riverbeds. Designated a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1997, the park shelters an extraordinary wealth of wildlife, including many rare and endemic plants and endangered fauna.

One of Spain’s most important wetland areas for breeding and overwintering birds is called Salinas de cabo de Gata, a saltwater lagoon that runs parallel to the beach and is separated from it by a 400m wide sand bar. This lagoon is of outstanding ecological interest, particularly for its birdlife.

The pristine waters of the peninsula are ideal for underwater photography, diving, snorkelling, sailing, sea-kayaking, windsurfing and all types of fishing.

Biking and 4X4 excursions are popular in the mountain regions of the park.

The park’s visitors centre is at Los Amoladeras. It has an exhibition of the park’s volcanic geology, flora, saltpans and the sea. It can also provide information on walks and activities in the park

Much of the coastline is only accessible on foot, via some well marked footpaths and walks especially between Cabo de Gata headland and san Jose and Las Negras and aqua Amarga.

The park can be entered from the west via the village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata. The eastern section of the park can be reached via a mainly inland road linking coastal villages north of San Jose.