10 Best National Parks in Spain by Region for your Spanish Vacation

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Discover the best national parks in Spain by region, each with its own beautiful landscapes and wildlife.

Because you’ll want to be sure to include a few on your Spanish vacation!

If you are planning a vacation trip to Spain, these destinations can make your trip super-perfect. In fact, it will boost your travel experience.

So, continue reading to discover the best national parks in Spain to add to your itinerary.

CONTENTS – In this article, you are going to discover the best national parks in Spain, including:

Spain’s National Parks by Region
Catalonia
Castile-La Mancha
Balaeric Islands
Canary Islands
Andalusia
Community of Madrid and Castile and León
Galicia
Extremadura
Aragon
Asturias, Castile-Leon, and Cantabria

Explore Spain’s National Parks by Region

Spain’s nature is evocative and rich.

The country’s diverse ecosystems are home to a wealth of plant and animal life, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pyrenees mountains.

So it’s not hard to realize that you’ll find many national parks and other protected areas in Spain.

But it’s not just the natural beauty that makes them worth visiting. There are several different types of parks in Spain, all with unique features and attractions.

If you’re heading to Europe, Spain should definitely be on your list of destinations.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to natural wonders in the country’s extensive number of national parks.

1. Catalonia

Aigüestortes I Estany de Sant Maurici is a stunning lake and national park in Catalonia, a region in northeast Spain.

The park is located at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains. It is famous for its incredible natural beauty.

This park is home to several lakes, streams, and many different types of animals. The park has plenty of hiking trails, too.

You can easily explore the beautiful scenery of this national park in Catalonia on foot.

And, if you’re looking for a place to relax, this is it.

You’ll find plenty of camp grounds throughout Aigüestortes I Estany de Sant Maurici where you can camp out.

If you prefer something a little more cushy for your overnight, you can also stay in accommodations provided by local hotels and B&Bs.

2. Castile-La Mancha

Cabañeros National Park is a protected area in Castile-La Mancha.

It was established in 1995 and covered an area of approximately 150 square miles (390 square kilometers).

The park is home to a significant number of endangered species. It is even a potential habitat for the Iberian lynx!

You’ll also find the Tablas de Daimiel in Castile-La Mancha.

These are a series of flat-topped mountains that were created when the tectonic plates shifted during the creation of the Sierra Morena mountain range.

The Tablas de Daimiel National Park is spread across roughly 3,000 hectares, making it the smallest of Spain’s national parks.

However, the park is currently being expanded to include neighboring areas.

3. Balaeric Islands

The Cabrera Archipelago National Park is a protected area of the Balearic Islands that was declared a national park in 1991.

It covers an area of 351 square miles (908 square kilometers) and 346 square miles (895 square kilometers) of sea area.

These land features make it the largest national park in Spain!

Thanks to its remote location, the park remains relatively unaltered. The coastline is thought to be one of the Mediterranean’s best-preserved coastal landscapes.

If you love birdwatching, then you’ll be happy to know the park is a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds and a Site of Community Importance (SIC).

4. Canary Islands

The Canary Islands have the most national parks of all the Spanish regions, with a total of 4:

Caldera de Taburiente National Park
Garajonay National Park
Teide National Park
Timanfaya National Park.

Three of the parks are located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Caldera de Taburiente National Park, Garajonay National Park, and Teide National Park.

Teide is the biggest of all three parks in this region by far, at 18,990 hectares (46,925 acres).

Timanfaya National Park is in Las Palmas, on the island of Lanzarote.

This park is made up of entirely volcanic soil, making the landscape really unique!

5. Andalusia

Andalusia is home to two national parks.

These are:

Sierra Nevada National Park
Doñana National Park

Visitors to both parks can hike through forests and meadows. They can cross streams and rivers, or climb to the top of one of the many peaks.

Sierra Nevada National Park covers 85,883 hectares, stretching across the provinces of Granada and Almería.

It was Spain’s largest national park until the Cabrera Archipelago National Park was expanded in 2019.

Doñana National Park is located in Huelva, Cádiz, and Seville.

It became a nature reserve in 1969.

This area is a beautiful blend of marshlands, streams, and sand dunes worth visiting!

6. Community of Madrid and Castile and León

Guadarrama National Park is part of the Sistema Central mountain range.

It also includes the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Gredos.

Guadarrama was declared a national park in 2013. It covers a total area of 34,000 hectares.

The Guadarrama mountains are home to 11 different ecosystems, with over 1,280 species! 13 of these species are currently endangered.

The species of animals that you’ll find in the mountains account for 45% of the total fauna of Spain and 18% of European fauna.

7. Galicia

The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Galician coast.

The Illas Atlánticas de Galicia is composed of the archipelagos of:

Cíes
Ons
Sálvora
Cortegada

The park was declared a protected area in 2021.

Fun fact: It is the 10th most visited national park in Spain!

This archipelago of islands is known for its natural beauty, including green mountains and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving.

8. Extremadura

The Monfrague National Park is located in the province of Cáceres in Extremadura.

It is covering a protected area of over 18,000 hectares.

The name of the park comes from “monte Fragoso” which means “lush mountain” in Spanish.

Monfrague has been a Special Protection Area (SPA) for bird life since 1988.

In fact, the park is home to the world’s largest colony of Eurasian black vultures. And, it has the highest concentration of imperial eagles, too!

9. Aragon

The region of Aragon is home to Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.

You’ll want to get to this one if you’re in Aragon. It is considered one of the best national parks in Spain!

Located in the Pyrenees, this area has officially been a national park since 1918. In 1982 the space was widened to include the whole region.

In 1997, it was declared part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Ordesa-Viñamala.

Furthermore, the park is included in the cross-border Pyrénées – Mont Perdu World Heritage Site.

10. Asturias, Castile-Leon, and Cantabria

The Picos de Europa National Park spreads across the Picos de Europa mountain range.

It covers three regions of Spain:

Asturias
Castile-Leon
Cantabria

The park was established in 1918 and covers a total area of 249.7 square miles (646.60 square kilometers).

You’ll discover this area is a popular hiking and trekking destination if you’re looking for some outdoor adventure!

Final Thoughts on Best National Parks in Spain

Traveling to these 10 best national parks in Spain can be a thrilling experience.

These memory-making destinations are some of the best tourist attractions across Spain.

Each of these national parks in Spain are blessed with their beautiful landscapes and wildlife – and you will be too, when you visit.

About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

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Next Steps

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