National Parks in Madrid

Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, is surrounded by natural areas that offer a refreshing escape from city life. The region features protected parks such as Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, which spans Madrid and Castilla y León. This park boasts rugged mountains, deep valleys, and diverse wildlife, including Spanish ibex, eagles, and deer. Visitors can enjoy hiking, climbing, birdwatching, and seasonal snow sports. Madrid’s national parks provide a mix of scenic landscapes, outdoor adventure, and conservation efforts, making them ideal for nature lovers seeking a quick getaway from the urban bustle.

Wildlife & Walking Regions of Spain | Natural Parks by Region

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Spain’s diverse regions offer some of Europe’s best wildlife and walking experiences. From the wetlands of Andalucía to the forests of Galicia and the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, each region has its own natural character.

Use this guide to explore Spain by region and find guided tours from trusted partners. Discover national parks, reserves, and the wildlife of Spain.

Andalucía – Wildlife, Mountains and Wetlands

Walking in the Sierra de Grazalema
Explore southern Spain’s most diverse landscapes, from Doñana’s wetlands to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Grazalema. This region is perfect for birdwatching, hiking, and year-round nature travel.
Explore Andalucías Natural Parks
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Expanding Horizons: The Proposal to Expand the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.

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Guadarrama national park

On December 11 2023, the formal request for the expansion of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park was made by the Community of Madrid. In October 2023, the Término del Paular farm in the municipality of Rascafría was acquired by the Community of Madrid. The motivation behind this purchase was its proximity to the national … Read more

Guadarrama National Park

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Guadarrama National Park
  • Region: Madrid and Castilla y León
  • Province: Madrid and Segovia
  • Declared a National Park: 2013
  • Park surface area: 33, 960 hectares
  • Towns and Villages: (Madrid) Alameda del Valle, Becerril de la Sierra, Canencia, Cercedilla, El Boalo, Guadarrama, Los Molinos, Lozoya, Manzanares el Real, Miraflores de la Sierra, Navacerrada, Navarredonda y San Mamés, Pinilla del Valle, Rascafría, Soto del Real. (Segovia) Aldealengua de Pedraza, Basardilla, Collado Hermoso, El Espinar, Gallegos, La Losa, Navafría, Navas de Riofrío , Ortigosa del Monte, Otero de Herreros, Palazuelos de Eresma, Real Sitio de San Ildefonso, Santiuste de Pedraza, Santo Domingo de Pirón, Segovia, Sotosalbos, Torre Val de San Pedro, Torrecaballeros, Trescasas.

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Not without it’s controversy over the years (due to it conflicting with housing and other human development plans), the Guadarrama National Park project was finally declared in 2013.

Its aims are to protect the eleven different ecosystems present in the Guadarrama mountains, including the only Iberian examples of “high Mediterranean mountain”. There are almost 1,300 different animal species in the area of which 13 are in danger of extinction. The species of animals in the mountains represent 45% of the total fauna of Spain and 18% of European fauna. There are mammals such as deer (red, roe and fallow), wild boar, Spanish Ibex, badgers, several mustelidaes, wild cats, foxes, hares, etc. Iberian wolf also seems to have returned to the area after a 70-year absence..

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