6 Must-see National Parks in Spain
Spain has 15 national parks, spread across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. There is parks ideal for wildlife viewing, hiking and mountain climbing, for lovers of the sea and beaches, and even winter sports enthusiasts.
We have made a list of 6 National Parks in Spain.
Sierra Nevada, Andalusia
Located in Andalusia, the Sierra Nevada National Park, our first National Parks in Spain and has some of the highest peaks on the mainland of Spain, including Mulhacén, the highest peak in at 3,482 meters. In addition to adventure sports such as hiking and mountain climbing, it also hosts one of Spain’s best ski resorts.
Doñana, Andalusia
Located in the Andalusian provinces of Seville and Huelva, Doñana is one of the essential ecosystems in Spain over an area of 543 square kilometres. Situated on the delta of the Guadalquivir River, characterized by wetlands, streams, swamps and dunes. You can spot mongooses, badgers, red and fallow deer, wild boars and Iberian lynxes in the wild.
Picos de Europa, Asturias
Picos de Europa is one of the first national parks in Spain, and has an area of over 650 square kilometres and located in the Pyrenees. The park features mountains, forests and mountain lakes, and only a handful of villages with a population of around 1,300. Look out for protected species like the Iberian wolf and the Cantabrian brown bear. And the more common chamois (a cross between a goat and an antelope) and ibex.
Teide, Canary Islands
Teide national park, on the island of Tenerife around Mount Teide, an active volcano and the highest peak in Spain. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the most visited national park in Spain and Europe. If you don’t feel like climbing to the top to enjoy the view, you can always take a cable car and marvel at the volcanic landscapes, craters and lava flows below.
Timanfaya, Canary Islands
Located on the island of Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and characterized by the barren volcanic landscape in the black and red colours. The Montañas del Fuego was created between 1730 and 1736 when many volcanic eruptions occurred, but today there is only one active volcano left in the park – Timanfaya itself. Seen in the dramatic geysers that shoot high into the sky. The park has two routes. You can explore both during an organized walking tour, a bus tour or even by camel.
Illas Atlánticas de Galicia, Galicia
Illas Atlánticas de Galicia, with the archipelagos of Ons, Cortegada, Cies and Salvora, is the only national park in Galicia, in the northwestern part of Spain. Unique about this National Park is that it covers both land and sea and offers everything from forests to sandy beaches and underwater seaweed gardens. Wildlife includes dolphins, sea anemones, corals and seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills.
