Hotels in Tabernas

The town, below the castle

The town spreads out at the foot of the hill topped by the remains of the Moorish castle. It's small and flat in its lower part, with set-menu bars, a bakery and a pharmacy. Accommodation is limited: a guesthouse or two, pensions and apartments. It suits those staying a couple of nights who want a hot dinner without driving and to climb to the castle first thing, before the sun gets fierce. From here the motorway down to Almería is also close at hand.

Best-rated in this area: Hostal Avenida, with a score of 8.7 from 1,854 reviews.

The road of the western towns

Along the old road towards Almería are the film sets that now operate as theme parks. Some places to stay in the area are right next to them, with a western look and shows during the day. It's the choice for families with children who come mainly for the western films. At night it's very quiet, with hardly any services outside the parks themselves.

Farmhouses among the ramblas

Scattered across the desert are restored farmhouses and rural houses with pools, surrounded by bare hills and olive trees. There's almost no light pollution, so starry nights are the big draw. They're perfect for photographers, couples and those who want to set off early by bike or on foot through the ramblas, the dry riverbeds. Some offer homemade breakfasts and dinners on request, useful when the town is far away.

Watch the access roads: several are reached by dirt tracks, so ask about their condition before you arrive. Bring water and buy supplies in town, as there are no shops for kilometres. In summer, look for somewhere with a pool or shade: the afternoons are very hot and the desert is unforgiving.