Mini Hollywood, Almeria- Spain
We visited Mini Hollywood, in Almeria, Spain on our family holiday. Mini Hollywood originally known as Yucca City was designed by Carl Simi in 1965 for Sergio Leone’s film ‘For a Few Dollars More’ it was also used as a set for films such as ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ in 1966. Now Mini Hollywood acts as a down right awesome tourist attraction.
Throughout the day you can expect to see cowboy gun shows, re-enactments of moments in films such as Jessie James, there’s a huge sprawling zoo, incredible cactus garden, much needed pool for cooling off and epic views across the surrounding hillsides.
As we first rolled in to Mini Hollywood I could’ve easily been mistaken for thinking I was back in Tombstone Arizona, the landscape, the set and the unwavering heat was every bit like the real deal.
We wandered through the sandy streets and stumbled across the cactus garden. All kinds of cactus were dotted around for as far as the eye could see, some reached over 10 feet tall.
There were several shops with local pottery, souvenirs, and leather goods. For lunch we enjoyed a large buffet, we sampled the Paella (and pretty much everything else imaginable). I loved seeing the wild native flowers growing up the sides of buildings and along the sides of the walk ways, such intense colours and so different to what we see growing back in England.
At the back of Mini Hollywood is the zoo that sprawls for miles, down in the valley and right back up the other side. There was everything from giraffes to hippos living in comfortable surroundings.
After a lovely day exploring Mini Hollywood we were pretty hot and definitely ready for a plunge in the pool. Having packed our swimming things, we got changed and jumped straight in (via the water slides)
Mini Hollywood is situated 364km off the N-340 road just near the town of Tabernas in the Spanish Province of Almeria. I'd more than recommend Mini Hollywood to anyone taking a trip to Spain. It was the MOST fun and is the perfect place for a family day out. Yee Haw!
Christine