A natural wonder for every region of Spain
Is discovering unique natural spaces a highlight of your trips? Then you need to get to know the impressive options Spain has to offer. We are going to choose a natural wonder for each region of Spain to help you. This is a set of suggestions for experiencing the incalculable riches of these habitats and the importance of protecting their biodiversity.Spain boasts an extraordinary number of protected areas. It has some 300 nature reserves, 16 national parks, 152 natural parks, 29 natural spaces recognised by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS), and 17 geoparks. Spain also leads the world ranking with an astonishing 55 biosphere reserves.Faced with all this environmental heritage, would you like some recommendations? This list is ordered by autonomous region to help you plan your visit to the best natural spaces for your itinerary.
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Andalusia: Sierra de las Nieves
Doñana, the Sierra Nevada and Cabo de Gata are all great options, but the Sierra de las Nieves National Park in the province of Malaga is another great place for active tourism, and for unique activities such as the rutting season of the fallow deer. Night routes are organised - including dinner using natural products from the area - to experience the bellows of these animals during their courtship season in autumn.
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Aragón: Ordesa valley
Every visit to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in the province of Huesca is special. Good ways to start exploring this natural wonder of the Pyrenees in Aragón include the Cola de Caballo (Horse's Tail) route and the Ordesa valley, which has been declared a World Heritage site.
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Asturias: Lakes of Covadonga
The Princesa natural viewing point was inaugurated in 2018 to mark the centenary of the Picos de Europa National Park. it offers an unforgettable panorama with the Lakes of Covadonga at your feet and the great peaks of this stunning mountain massif towering in the background.
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Castilla-La Mancha: Ruidera lakes
Relaxing waterfalls await you in the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park, in the provinces of Albacete and Ciudad Real. It forms part of the La Mancha Húmeda biosphere reserve, together with the Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park.
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Castile and Leon: Hoces del Río Duratón
This is the Spanish region with the largest number of Biosphere Reserves - 10 in total. It is home to treasures such as the Las Médulas natural monument (Leon), the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (between Salamanca and Zamora), the Sierra de Gredos (Avila) and the Hoces del Río Duratón (Segovia), where you can enjoy a spectacular kayak tour.
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Catalonia: Vall de Boí valley
In addition to peaks of more than 3,000 meters, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national park, in the province of Lleida, Vall de Boiincludes incredible locations such as the Sant Quirc de Durro natural viewing point, in the Vall de Boí valley, for astronomy.
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Region of Valencia: La Albufera
Would you like to explore the spectacular wetlands of the La Albufera Natural Park? Why not take a boat ride to discover the abundant wealth of flora and fauna in this enormous lagoon in the region where high-quality rice is grown.
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Extremadura: Gypsy Leap
Visit the Monfragüe National Park in the province of Cáceres, a paradise for observing imperial eagles and other birds from iconic viewpoints, such as the Salto del Gitano (Gypsy's Leap) and the Monfragüe Castle.
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Canary Islands: Garajonay forests
In addition to the highest peak in Spain in Tenerife's volcanic Teide National Park, the fairytale forests of the Garajonay National Park in La Gomera are a jewel of nature.
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La Rioja: Puente Ra waterfalls
If there is something that never disappoints in the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park, it is taking the circular route around the three waterfalls of the Puente Ra waterfalls, which is about seven kilometers.
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Madrid: The Siete Picos route
The Siete Picos (Seven Peaks) circular path, which starts from Puerto de Navacerrada and runs through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, offers incredible landscapes on both sides of this mountainous range. The Montejo Beech Forest, in the heart of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve, is another very special destination and has been awarded the World Heritage designation by UNESCO.
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Navarre: Foz de Lumbier
In addition to the indescribable semi-desert landscapes of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park, you can also take attractive tours along the Irati river in the Foz de Lumbier gorge.
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The Basque Country: Gujuli waterfall
To the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, with famous icons such as the small islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, we must add the Gorbeia Natural Park, in Bizkaia and Álava. This is a favourite for mountaineers, with fabled places such as the spectacular Gujuli waterfall, which falls more than 100 metres.
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Region of Murcia: Salto del Usero
The Salto del Usero is a natural monument space with cascades, waterfalls and pools of crystal-clear water, with a number of fascinating routes.
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