by Taetske | 4:38 pm
(Last Updated On: August 3, 2021)

 

15 National Park in Spain

 

There are 10 Parks on the Iberian Peninsula and 5 divided over the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Over 10 million people visit these parks every year.

 

Panoramic view of Teide Mountain

Panoramic view of Teide Mountain image by Jordi Martos.

 

The Canary Islands is an archipelago and Tenerife, which has a subtropical climate, the same as the other islands, is the biggest one of them. They founded its capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife in May 1494.

Because of its mild temperatures in the winter, it is a sought-after holiday destination for people from Nordic countries. Many tourists sunbathing enjoy the sight of the snow-covered Teide mountain.

 

The Teide National Park

El Teide which is situated on the island of Tenerife is one of the most visited parks in Europe and also ranks high worldwide. This mountain is the highest mountain in Spain with its 3.718 meters. It is of volcanic origin and from the seafloor; it stands at 7500 meters. The last eruption happened in 1909.

The National Park has an area of 18.900 hectares (47.000 acres) and was named World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. A big international astronomical observatory is located on its slopes. The similarity of the Teide to the Mars landscape has brought the scientist to test robotic vehicles in the area.

The Teide was considered a sacred mountain by the Guanches, the first aboriginal Berber inhabitants of the island. It is thought that they migrated there at around 1000BC. This park offers the visitor some breathtaking views, some good hikes, and a big variety of Fauna and Flora.

 

Donana National Park

In Andalusia, there is the well-known Parque de Donana situated in the Huelva, Sevilla and Cadiz region. It is a labyrinth of land and water which shapes the marshes and beautiful lakes.

There are some 25 km of unspoiled beaches and the fossil dunes of Asperillo which can be up to 30 meters tall. A big variety of different trees find their place in this park, like the cork trees, ash, poplar, honeysuckle, or stone pines.

Donana is one of the most protected natural areas of Europe as it is an important crossroads for migration bird routes between Africa and Europe. Mediterranean pinewoods and scrubland and vast salt marshes all form the ideal place for the birds to stop and have their babies.

Donana is surely the most biodiverse natural area in Europe. It has some 300 species living here, and some 130 come here to breed on a regular basis.

 

Young Lynx

Young Lynx image by HE 1958

 

The Iberian Lynx

One of the 37 species of mammals is the beautiful Iberian Lynx considered the world’s most endangered wild cat. At the moment there are some 170 animals living in 2 isolated reproductive populations in Andalusia.

Donana is also the habitat of the endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle. There are only 10 pairs that live here. Their lifespan is normally around 16 years, but it is known that some birds became over 30 years old. Their wingspan of up to 2 meters makes them impressive indeed.

They are legally protected in Spain and dangerous electricity towers have been modified. They reintroduced recently 2 pairs of Imperial Eagles to Portugal.

A visit to this park is highly recommended and do not forget your binoculars. The park has some 100.000 protected hectares where many species find protection.

Have a look at these 2 interesting videos on the Iberian Lynx.

 

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Illegal Wells, a danger for the Donana Park

There is a big problem that threatens Donana. The authorities will shut over 300 illegal wells down as their use is draining the wetlands dry. They will shut even legal wells down as the situation is more than serious.

Of course, this will not happen all at once, it forms part of a 15-year plan to recover the water levels of the aquifer, but it will take between 30 to 60 years to completely recover from this overexploitation.

 

A visit to the Donana Park

The book by author Martin Jacoby describes the principal places to visit. You will take a trip to the interior of the park where you will see interesting birds, mammals, plants, and landscape features. A beautiful day in the largest conservation area in Europe. A delight for the entire family.

 

 

Conclusion

I know these were only 2 of the 15 beautiful national parks in Spain. If you like, you can find the missing ones on this list. Each one has its own charm and uniqueness, for sure worth a visit. There have been recent talks to make la Sierra de las Nieves – The mountain of the Snows into a National Park. Until now, it has the status of a protected natural area.

To upgrade to become a National Park protection and control of Fauna and Flora will be a lot better. From my home, I can see this mountain in the valley to the west. Let’s hope this decision will be taken by Madrid so more nature is taken care of and saved for future generations.

Time has passed and in 2019 Sierra de las Nieves became National Park number 16 in Spain. This is joyful news. Each year we lose extensive areas to fires in Spain, and as temperatures are rising the situation is becoming critical. A National Park is more protected, so the more parks there are the better.

Worldwide species are lost because they lose their habitat. Humans expand and do not care if animals have to move to smaller areas. It should be the other way around. Creating new and protected areas is a necessity to keep the balance.

Before you leave, have a look at Recommendations. It is a place where I have a collection of things you might find interesting.

 

Source: Wikipedia

Photo Source: Pixabay

 

There are many beautiful places in Spain. Recently I visited an unusual one. Have a look at the following post if you like.

Stunning Cat Cape Is The Driest Place In Spain

Comments

Juan Rojas

The article is very interesting. I was delighted to see the videos on the Iberian lynx. And also I want to say that the landscape of mountains that appears when opening the page is precious. Thank you very much for sharing such valuable information.

Jun 14.2017 | 08:20 am

    admin

    Good morning Juan, Thank you for your comment on my website. That background photo is from a visit to New Zealand. It is important to make people aware of the Iberian Lynx, such a beautiful animal. I am happy there is this program in Spain to avoid its extinction.
    Regards, Taetske

    Jun 14.2017 | 11:18 am

Johann H Ragnarsson

Thank you for this site. I have through the years spent a lot of time in Spain, special in Catalunya and Zaragoza. Some places have always been and still are, on my bucket lists like El Teide which I have a lot of. Looks very interesting.
That is the way I was so happy to hear about the other places you talk about and will for sure add it to my bucket list.
As I know Agust is the hottest month in Spain, I think I know at least, and any of this places to warm at that time? Meaning if it would be better to visit it on other time?

Sep 18.2017 | 05:00 pm

    Taetske

    Good afternoon Johan,

    Thank you for your visit. I also think Spain is a lovely country with so many beautiful places to explore. When it is summer here, on the Canary Islands it is low season. Not as many tourists as in the winter. In summer we might get from 30 to 40C mainland but on the islands, it is around 20 to 30C. I think in the low season the islands are well worth a visit. The National Park Donana has similar temperatures as here in the south but it has the Atlantic breeze so not bad. Going on inland like to Sevilla there it can be very hot indeed. For Donana I think that May and also October could be good months to visit.

    Regards, Taetske

    Sep 19.2017 | 03:03 pm

Chris

It’s lovely to see that you’ve covered The Teide in this article as it brings back so many memories now. Myself and my family went on holiday to Tenerife when I was eleven and we actually took the day trip up this mountain. 

I can clearly remember my father telling me to touch the rock floor below us at one point to see if I could feel it’s heat, he then informed me that the mountain was volcanic. Being the age I was, that put me into a bit of a panic!

I also seem to remember getting heavily sunburned that day! 🙂

Dec 17.2018 | 03:20 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Chris,

    I can imagine you got sunburned as at that altitude the sun is very strong. I used to work as a tourist guide and the winter of 1975 I stayed on Gran Canaria. I visited Tenerife and also Lanzarote, all of these islands are very beautiful, with each of them having its special character.

    Regards, Taetske

    Dec 18.2018 | 08:08 am

Kenny

Wow this looks so amazing. And the best bit is I live in the U.K. so it would be easy for me to get to these places in Spain. I think that too many people take for granted the wonderful places that nature provides and we should all learn to relax and enjoy nature, rather than slowly destroying it. Thanks again, Kenny

Dec 17.2018 | 03:22 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Kenny,

    Indeed, the U.K. is close to Spain, just a relatively short plane trip. If you should make your way to the south do not hesitate to contact me. I like to meet the people who read my posts.

    Regards, Taetske

    Dec 18.2018 | 08:09 am

Kabirat

Wonderful work Taetske,

Mother nature has really blessed us with rare wildlife creatures. The beauty of the Iberian Lynx can’t be overlooked and it will be saddening if it goes into extinction every thing within the powers of the Spanish government should be done to conserve it.

A visit to these parks will definitely be worthwhile. 

Dec 17.2018 | 03:23 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Kabirat,

    Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Living for many years in Spain I am happy to see that the government and also the people are becoming more conscious of the beautiful country with the Fauna and the Flora. The wish to preserve the environment is becoming stronger and that takes us in the right direction.

    Regards, Taetske

    Dec 18.2018 | 08:09 am

Carmen

I envy you for the beautiful image you see from your home; is a very beautiful presentation of national parks in Spain; it seems that you are in love, both in nature and in your country; I was not in Spain, but your post inspires me to go; I’m glad Iberian linx was saved; it’s a feline and I’m a big cat loving.

Apr 19.2019 | 10:40 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Carmen,

    I am also a big cat lover. When I started on my Spanish farm in 1981 I had and still have cats, sometimes lots of them. Actually, I am Dutch but born in Australia. I have lived in Spain since 1975 as I used to work for a German company as a tourist guide. Spain is a lovely country full of beautiful nature, a very rich history, nice people and good food. 

    Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Regards, Taetske 

    Apr 20.2019 | 07:01 am

Chas

Hi Taetske,

These are truly awesome spots that i aspire to one day visit. I am saddened to hear about the destruction of the wetlands taking place in the National Parks in Spain. The intrusion of companies exploiting the National Parks around the globe needs to be stopped. The Spanish Imperial Eagle is certainly being threatened, if only 10 pairs are left. I continually hope that conservationists around the world, continue to work to protect these beautiful parks and their natural surroundings, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy these wonders as well. 

Thank you for giving us a beautiful glimpse of the National Park treasures of Spain.

Chas

Apr 19.2019 | 10:57 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Chas,

    Thank you for your visit and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Even if there is a big group of ecologists at work in Spain it is not enough. It is a group of 300 different ones which united years ago. Lately, we saw the worldwide protest of the young generation, I hope it will help and that time-wise we will make it. It seems to be more serious than most people think. I am sending you a video which I have used for some posts.https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/pMbeYJgH_6g

    Regards, Taetske

    .

    Apr 20.2019 | 06:53 am

RoDarrick

Wow! I’m really amazed by your depth of research to acquire this knowledge that you shared to the world through this post. Its very insightful, informative, interesting and enlightening. I had heard of the beauty associated with the National parks in Spain but I never imagined it would be this much. I am an adventurer and a nature lover. Even if for once per each, I won’t mind exploring the two parks you highlighted in your post. I cannot wait to read about the remaining parks on your blog

Apr 19.2019 | 11:08 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning Rodger,

    Nice to see you again. Thank you for your comment.

    I certainly will write more posts when visiting National Parks. I also write after visiting special places like Ronda or El Torcal. Both are not far away from where I live. Even if my farm is a lovely place it is always nice to see something new. Recently I did a mini trip to Cabo de Gata some 3 hours away. The landscape is so different from where I live. This place is also known for famous film scenes made there.

    Regards, Taetske

    Apr 20.2019 | 06:41 am

Extrovert1

Hey,

This is an informative article I must say. Nature is something Which helps me to get rid of my monotony and lets me have a fresh restart. I did not know that there are such beautiful places on the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. I love to visit new places that can amaze me. So I will surely pay a visit to these places. 

Thank you for writing such a beautiful article.

Apr 19.2019 | 11:29 am

    Taetske

    Good Morning,

    Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?

    Nature is the best place to go when you need to recharge your batteries. I hope you will be able to visit Spain one day, it is a lovely country so you will not be disappointed.

    Regards, Taetske

    Apr 20.2019 | 07:04 am

Sunny

Hi Taetske, 

Thanks for this article. I was so touched with the videos of saving the Iberian lynx. I hope they will succeed in the expansion of this species. Menkind brought so much suffering to nature and I truly hope that we paid it back a bit at least. 

I am looking forward to other islands reviewed by you. 

Jul 14.2020 | 06:13 pm

    Taetske

    Good Morning Sunny,

    Thank you for your visit and your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.

    It is true that the human species has done a lot of harm to nature. Absolutely stupid to ruin the environment, which after all is our habitat. The consequences of our reckless behavior are visible everywhere. Hopefully, the new generations are able to advert a complete disaster.

    There are some visits to National Parks on the list, I hope to be able to travel soon.

    Regards, Taetske 

    Jul 15.2020 | 06:29 am

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