Tabernas – Desert, Nature and Culture

Nature

Eroded badlands with ravines and wadis characterize the Desierto de Tabernas. The protected Desierto de Tabernas is of particular botanical and faunal value; it is home to rare species as well as the endemic Tabernas cross-leaved shrub Euzomodendron bourgaeanum. The Desierto de Tabernas has been a protected natural area since 1989.

Other destinations include Los Navarros, Turre, Viator, Nijar, Terque, Los Cerricos, Abrucena and El Campillo De Rodalquilar.

Trails

The entire route of the Sendero La Serrata PR-A 481 lies within a ZEC area of the Natura 2000 network and forms an ecological corridor between the Sierra Alhamilla natural area and the Desierto de Tabernas natural area. The almost flat Sendero del Desierto PR-A 269 passes through the ravine valleys of the Desierto de Tabernas. Another hiking trail begins and ends at the municipal tourist information office; its route leads to the Rambla de los Molinos, which flows into the Rambla de la Sierra.

The Tabernas–Lucainena de las Torres cycling stage runs at the foot of the northern slope of the Sierra Alhamilla through arid terrain, ravine valleys and olive groves, as well as past cortijos. It is 22.9 kilometers long and has 350 meters of ascent. The Ruta en 4x4 por el Desierto de Tabernas runs through ravine valleys and various landscape formations within Tabernas. At the stopping points, there are explanations relating to geology, history, the landscape or film.

Culture

The Iglesia parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is registered in Tabernas as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the Monument category. It is a Mudéjar church with three naves and portals in the Renaissance and Mannerist styles. Its features include the image of the Virgen de las Angustias and, in the chapel of the Virgen del Carmen, an altarpiece made in 1865 by D. Policampo from white and green marble.

The Castillo de Tabernas is a municipal monument classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. A paved path beside the municipal sports pavilion leads to it; from there, it overlooks the town of Tabernas, the desert and the surrounding sierras. Since January 2026, the Castillo has been temporarily closed to visitors due to archaeological measures and restoration work.

The Centro de Interpretación Terrera Ventura y Desierto de Tabernas explains the geological formation of the desert. It also covers the Copper Age society of the Los Millares type, which lived in the Terrera Ventura settlement in the 3rd millennium BC. Founded in 2011, the Almería Western Film Festival is an international festival. It combines film screenings, meetings, tributes, music and activities.

Culinary traditions

Traditional Tabernas cuisine includes Olla de trigo, sopa de ajo almeriense, Gazpacho, cocido de morcilla, Gachas, Remojones, Ajillo de papas, Caldo colorao and Gurullos. The Almazara Castillo de Tabernas offers guided tours of natural and traditional olive oil production as well as tastings of various extra virgin olive oils.

For the overall travel overview: Almeria.