Spain’s natural beauty spans volcanic islands, dramatic cliffs, lush wetlands, and high mountain ranges. Here’s a curated list of 15 of the most impressive natural wonders across the country:
1. Mount Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
Spain’s highest peak and a massive stratovolcano surrounded by lava fields and alien-like rock formations.
2. Doñana National Park (Andalusia)
A vast wetland and dune system that’s home to hundreds of bird species and the endangered Iberian lynx.
3. Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park (Aragon, Pyrenees)
Features deep glacial valleys, waterfalls, and the iconic Monte Perdido peak at 3,355 meters.
4. Las Médulas (León, Castile and León)
Red-earth formations created by ancient Roman mining techniques, now reclaimed by nature.
5. Playa de las Catedrales (Galicia)
A beach known for its towering rock arches and sea-carved caves, visible only at low tide.
6. Ciudad Encantada (Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha)
Limestone rock formations shaped by erosion into fantastical figures.
7. Cañón del Río Leza (La Rioja)
A dramatic gorge with high limestone cliffs and a strong presence of birds of prey, including griffon vultures.
8. Circo de Gredos (Ávila, Castile and León)
A glacial cirque surrounded by rugged peaks, including Almanzor (2,592 m), the highest in central Spain.
9. Nacimiento del Río Mundo (Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha)
An impressive waterfall where the Mundo River emerges from a cave in the cliffs, especially striking during spring thaws.
10. Salto del Nervión (Basque Country/Castile and León)
At 222 meters, this is the tallest waterfall in the Iberian Peninsula, plunging off a high karst plateau.
11. Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park (Zaragoza, Aragon)
A lush valley with waterfalls, caves, and forested paths, surrounding the ruins of a medieval monastery.
12. Tabernas Desert (Almería, Andalusia)
Europe’s only true desert, known for its badlands, arid climate, and having served as a backdrop for many Western films.
13. Garajonay National Park (La Gomera, Canary Islands)
A dense, prehistoric laurel forest shrouded in mist, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
14. Parque Natural de las Bardenas Reales (Navarra)
A semi-desert landscape of plateaus and canyons with eroded clay and sandstone formations.
15. Picos de Europa (Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile and León)
A dramatic mountain range with deep gorges, limestone peaks, and alpine meadows—the first national park in Spain.
