Spain is one of Europe's most biodiverse countries, with mountains, deserts, coasts and volcanic islands. The National Parks Network includes 16 parks, managed jointly by the state and the regions. The first was the Montaña de Covadonga, today Picos de Europa, in 1918; the newest is the Sierra de las Nieves, in 2021. Alongside the national parks there are hundreds of regional natural parks. See also Spain's geography.
Mountains
- Picos de Europa (Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and León): limestone peaks near the sea, the Covadonga sanctuary, the Enol and Ercina lakes, the Cares gorge and the Fuente Dé cable car.
- Ordesa y Monte Perdido (Aragon): canyons, waterfalls and Europe's highest limestone massif, a UNESCO site; see Huesca.
- Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (Catalonia): Catalonia's only national park, with hundreds of glacial lakes; see the Val d'Aran.
- Sierra Nevada (Andalusia): the peninsula's highest peaks, including Mulhacén, 3,479 m, an hour from the coast; see Granada.
- Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid and Castile and León): pine woods and granite peaks on the capital's doorstep; see Segovia.
- Sierra de las Nieves (Andalusia): pinsapo firs and karst gorges near Ronda.
Volcanic islands
- Teide (Tenerife): Spain's highest volcano, 3,715 m, with a cable car and a lunar landscape, a UNESCO site and the most visited national park.
- Caldera de Taburiente (La Palma): a huge crater covered in Canary pines.
- Timanfaya (Lanzarote): the Fire Mountains, born of 18th-century eruptions; see Lanzarote.
- Garajonay (La Gomera): a mist-shrouded laurel forest, a UNESCO site; see Valle Gran Rey.
Wetlands, woods and sea
- Doñana (Andalusia): one of Europe's most important wetlands, refuge of the Iberian lynx and millions of birds; see Huelva.
- Tablas de Daimiel (Castilla-La Mancha): La Mancha marshes; see Daimiel.
- Cabañeros (Castilla-La Mancha): the "Spanish Serengeti", with deer, vultures and imperial eagles in the Montes de Toledo.
- Monfragüe (Extremadura): cliffs above the Tagus full of vultures, black storks and eagles; see Trujillo.
- Cabrera Archipelago (Balearics): uninhabited islands off Majorca, with exceptional seabeds.
- Atlantic Islands of Galicia: the Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada islands; see Vigo.
Practical tips
- Some places require permits or bookings, such as the summit of Teide, the Cíes and Ons islands in summer, guided visits to Doñana and some car access to Ordesa and the Covadonga lakes at peak times.
- Mountain weather changes fast: even in summer you need proper clothing, water and trail maps.
- Don't pick plants or leave litter in the parks, and dogs are often not allowed.
- Every park has visitor centres with information on trails and wildlife.
See also UNESCO heritage and when to go.