National Parks of Spain

Spain has 16 national parks, each with its own unique landscape and biodiversity. Some of the most famous national parks in Spain include Doñana National Park, which is home to a diverse range of bird species and wetland habitats; Teide National Park, which features a volcanic landscape and the highest peak in Spain; and Sierra de las nieves National Park. Other National Parks of Spain offer opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, and exploring cultural and historical sites. Overall, Spain’s national parks are a testament to the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

The Picos de Europa National Park

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The Montaña de Covadonga National Park was established in Asturias in 1918, the first national park in Spain. The, now larger, park covers three major massifs – Western, Central and Eastern which are all part of the Cordillera Cantabria range. The dramatic Cares river canyon, which is 1,500m deep, divides the western and central parts.
  • Region: Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León
  • Province: Asturias, Cantabria, León
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1918 enlarged in 1995
  • Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 2003
  • Z.E.P.A
  • Park surface area: 64.660 hectares
Points of interest

The Montaña de Covadonga National Park ( now The Picos de Europa National Park) was established in Asturias in 1918, the first national park in Spain. The now much larger park covers three major massifs – Western, Central and Eastern which are all part of the Cordillera Cantabria range. The dramatic Cares river canyon, which is 1,500m deep, divides the western and central parts.

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Mar de las Calmas: Spain’s First Marine National Park

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Mar de las Calmas: Spain’s First Marine National Park
  • Region: Islas Canarias
  • Island: El Hierro (La Restinga)
  • Declared a marine reserve: 1996
  • Marine reserve surface area: 750 hectares
  • Declared a Marine national park: Yet to be declared
  • Park surface area: To be confirmed but it is estimated to be a massive 24,000 hectares

The Mar de las Calmas, located off the coast of La Restinga in Spain’s Canary Islands, is set to become Spain’s first fully marine national park. This historic move will protect an underwater ecosystem rich in biodiversity, centered around the famous underwater mountain El Bajón. The proposed designation, approved by the Spanish Cabinet, will now undergo a parliamentary process to finalize its status.

El Bajón: A Legendary Dive Site

El Bajón, a sharp underwater mountain just off La Restinga, rises nearly to the surface, missing the open air by mere feet. This area is famous among underwater photographers for its dramatic landscape and rich marine life, including large groupers and manta rays. Since 1996, El Bajón has been part of the Mar de las Calmas marine reserve, which has helped preserve the diverse species found in these waters. The new national park status aims to extend this protection across a larger area.

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Ten of the best natural parks to observe birds and wildlife in Spain

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Ten of the best natural parks to observe birds and wildlife in Spain

Spain has to rate as one of the best countries in in Europe for bird and wildlife watching. A destination with over 15 million hectares of protected areas and natural parks plus Spain is a strategic location on the avian migratory routes between Europe to Africa. So Ten of the best natural parks to observe … Read more

Islas Atlánticas National Park

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The Islas Atlánticas National Park are known in English as the Galician Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park.
  • Region: Galicia.
  • Province: Pontevedra and La Coruña).
  • Declared a National Park: 2002.
  • Park surface area: 8,480 hectares.

The Parque Nacional Islas Atlánticas are known in English as the Galician Atlantic Islands Maritime-Terrestrial National Park. They are located on the southern coast of Galicia and are made up of four archipelagos, Cortegada and Sálvora in the Arousa estuary, facing the Estuary of Pontevedra and the Cíes, in the Vigo estuary.

In the past they were known as a pirate haunt but today they are uninhabited and only open to the public in the summer.

Points of interest

In Ons don’t miss the mysterious “furnas”, granite sea caves cut by the waves, such as the mythical “Burato do Inferno”, which was “believed to go all the way down to hell, and on stormy nights the voices of the dead could be heard”.

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