A badlands of eroded gullies in south-east Spain, often called mainland Europe’s only true desert.
Area
280 km²
Continent
Europe
Location
Almería, south-east Spain
Temperature
Up to 40°C
Rainfall
Under 250 mm a year
Climate
Semi-arid
About the Tabernas Desert
The Tabernas Desert in Almería is a dramatic landscape of eroded clay badlands and dry ravines, shielded from rain by surrounding mountains. Often described as mainland Europe’s only true desert, its sun-baked, Wild-West look drew film-makers in the 1960s and it became the backdrop for many famous spaghetti westerns.
Did you know?
Its cinematic scenery made it the home of the classic “spaghetti western” films.
Highlights
- Often called Europe’s only true desert
- Home of the spaghetti western
- Eroded badlands and dry ravines
Photo gallery
Life in the Tabernas Desert
Animals, birds and plants that have adapted to survive this landscape.
Birds
Golden eagle
A mighty raptor that patrols open desert mountains and plains.
Trees & plants
Prickly pear
A flat-padded cactus with edible fruit, spread across many deserts.
Agave
A rosette of thick, spiny leaves that flowers just once, then dies.
Day & night in the Tabernas Desert
Deserts are famous for their extreme temperature swings. Flip between day and night to feel the difference — these are typical figures for a subtropical desert.
Midday sun
+45°C
typical daytime high
Blistering daytime heat gives way to surprisingly cool nights — clear skies let the day’s warmth escape, and the temperature can tumble by 30°C or more after dark.
Recorded range for the Tabernas Desert: Up to 40°C