Almería: Tabernas desert and Cabo de Gata
A Moorish fortress, the badlands where spaghetti westerns were filmed and the volcanic coves of Europe’s driest coast.
- Distance
- 169 km (105 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 20 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Spain
- Updated
- August 21, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 169 km (105 mi) with 8 stops, from Almería to Mojácar. About 2 h 20 min of driving in total.
Route description
Start in Almería with the Alcazaba, the great Moorish fortress on the ridge above the port, and the old town below it. Then take the A-92 north for half an hour into the Tabernas Desert, where eroded gullies and bare hills served as the Wild West for Sergio Leone. Some old film sets are open as theme parks; the roadside viewpoints along the N-340a show the landscape without the crowds.
From Tabernas cross back towards the coast to Níjar, a white hill village known for its pottery and colourful woven rugs. Then drop to the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park and follow the road past the salt flats, where flamingos feed, to the lighthouse above the Arrecife de las Sirenas.
The coast road ends at the lighthouse, so double back and drive round inland to San José, the main village of the park and the best base. From here a dirt road leads to Playa de Los Genoveses and Playa de Mónsul; in July and August it closes to cars once the car parks are full and a shuttle bus runs from the village.
Finish by driving north through the park and past Carboneras to Mojácar, a white village piled on a hill above the sea. Spring and autumn are ideal; in summer the heat is fierce and shade is rare. Wild camping is not allowed in the park, so use the campsites around San José and Las Negras.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Almería
Spain - 21 km
Alcazaba of Almería
HistoryAlmería, SpainA tenth-century Moorish fortress whose walls run along the ridge above the old town, with gardens inside and wide views over the port. Go early in summer, as there is little shade on the upper terraces.
- 325 km
Tabernas Desert
NatureTabernas, SpainEroded badlands north of Almería, often called Europe’s only desert, where Sergio Leone and many others shot their westerns. Several old film sets are open to visitors; the roadside viewpoints along the N-340a show the gullies best.
- 426 km
Níjar
Spain - 534 km
Cabo de Gata lighthouse
ViewsCabo de Gata, SpainThe lighthouse at the tip of the cape looks down on the Arrecife de las Sirenas, jagged volcanic rocks in turquoise water. The road beyond it towards San José is closed to cars, so come back the way you arrived.
- 611 km
San José
Spain - 76 km
Playa de Mónsul
NatureSan José, SpainA volcanic cove with a big sand dune and a rock overhang, reached by a dirt road from San José. In high summer the road is closed to cars once the car park is full and a shuttle bus runs instead.
- 865 km
Mojácar
Spain
