Mini Hollywood – Probably the best family day out in Andalucia!
If you are looking for something truly memorable and great to do with the kids – or even without the kids – while you are on holiday in the south of Spain, then you should definitely take a trip to Mini Hollywood. we think the best family day out in Andalucia you can have.
The name of this leading, yet pleasantly sparse of people, tourist attraction is right to generate intrigue and excitement, as many famous scenes out of cult cowboy movies have been shot in Mini Hollywood.
Located near to the dusty, unpretentious and small town of Tabernes in the Almeria desert, this would be the last place you would have expected Clint Eastwood to have visited. Clint did however grace this barren region of Andalucia with his presence to film many a legendary “Spaghetti Western”. In fact, there is a case for believing that these great cowboy classics should have been called “Paella Westerns”, in honour of the country which played host to the making of the movies.
It is not just Mini Hollywood that lures fans of the western genre to this region of Spain as there are three places near Tabernas where you can experience the films and film sets of the great Italian “Spaghetti Western” film director, Sergio Leone. All three of these top tourist attractions have different experiences on offer.
Oasys Theme Park is hidden within the ‘moonscapic’ mountains of the America desert, just a few kilometres from Mini Hollywood. Here visitors can take a look around a set that represents the town of El Paso in Texas. Scenes from many all-time Western classic, including ‘A Few Dollars More’, and ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’ were shot here.
At Mini Hollywood there is a gun slinging show put on daily with real actors and horses. You can watch the show with a delicious ice-cold beer in your hand from under the shade of an extremely authentic Western saloon. The kids love it the show almost as much as the parents! It is great entertainment and the show is included in the entrance fee, which is approximately 20 Euros for adults.
They even have a zoo at Mini Hollywood and with lions, tigers, pumas, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, meercats, and the rest; it is a very good zoo too! There is a parrot show put on at certain times in the day. Adding to the great atmosphere of the zoo is the fact it is set beside a man-made river with waterfalls and surrounded by the wholly unique barren landscape of what is one of the driest places in Europe
In high summer – and even not so high summer – temperatures can be sweltering in this part of Spain. However if you do to cool down during your trip to Mini Hollywood, there is a beautiful swimming pool. This place really is a full day out and to get the most out of it you will need to get there early.
Now, take a look at Vintage Travel’s collection of luxury villas in Andalucia!