Let me share my personal experience of visiting some of the most unique national parks in Spain. If you love traveling across the Iberian Peninsula and can’t live without walks in nature, exploring national parks in Spain should be on your Spain bucket list.
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National Parks in Spain
Very much like Istanbul is often called the gateway from Europe to Asia, Spain is often described as the bridge between Europe and Africa. The country is both connected and separated at the same time from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees mountain range, and yet it’s only the narrow Strait of Gibraltar that divides Spain from the African continent. Spain’s unique geographical location and a large number of islands contribute to a rich diversity of national parks across its territory.
How many national parks are there in Spain?
While the concept of National Parks was established with Yellowstone in 1872 in the United States, Spain was one of the first European countries to adopt it. In 1916, the country enacted a law that granted official status to its first two National Parks: Parque Nacional de Covadonga (now called Picos de Europa) and Parque Nacional del Valle de Ordesa (now called Ordesa y Monte Perdido). Over the years, the list of National Parks in Spain has continued to grow, and today there are 16 across the country: Picos de Europa, Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Teide, Caldera de Taburiente, Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, Doñana, Tablas de Daimiel, Timanfaya, Garajonay, Archipiélago de Cabrera, Cabañeros, Sierra Nevada, Islas Atlánticas de Galicia, Monfragüe, Sierra de Guadarrama, and Sierra de las Nieves. The most recent addition was Sierra de las Nieves National Park in 2021.
What is the most visited national park in Spain?
The most visited national park in Spain is Teide National Park, located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is known for Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain, and its volcanic landscapes that look out of this world beautiful. Considered one of the top Spanish landmarks and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teide National Park attracts millions of adventure travelers every year.
What is the most important national park in Spain?
While all of the Spanish national parks are unique, many call Teide National Park the most important national park in Spain. However, from my personal experience traveling across Spain, I would say that Picos de Europa and Ordesa y Monte Perdido aren’t any less important in terms of natural wonders and historical significance.

National Parks vs. Natural Parks in Spain
While searching for protected natural areas in Spain, sooner or later, you will come across the Natural Parks in Spain (or Parques Naturales in Spanish). So, if you thought that visiting the Top 16 Spanish National Parks (or Parques Nacionales in Spanish) would be enough, you were mistaken. While National Parks are areas specially protected by the Spanish government to preserve unique natural environments, Spain also has more than 100 Natural Parks (according to IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature). These fall under the protection of local authorities in different Spanish provinces and are often just as impressive as National Parks in terms of unique landscapes. While National Parks are officially considered more important and usually appear on lists of Top Spanish Landmarks, many of my favorite hikes in Spain actually took place in the Spanish Natural Parks.
My favorite National Parks in Spain
1. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park


Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Spanish Pyrenees. Located in the region of Aragon and overlooking the French border, Ordesa y Monte Perdido is one of my favorite National Parks in Spain. It was an absolute highlight of my 2022 travels in Spain and I am honestly counting the days till I will be able to return. To my surprise, it also turned out to be an amazing destination to visit with kids. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park can be divided into 4 main valleys: Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuain, and Pineta. Its most unique landmark is Monte Perdido (or “the lost mountain” in English) – it´s the highest limestone massif in Europe.
My recent 4-day Spanish Pyrenees road trip was not enough to see it all. Next time I’d love to explore more unique Spanish hikes in Ordesa y Monte Perdido, like Tozal de Mallo, La Cascada del Estrecho, Gradas de Soaso, Bosque de las Hayas, Cañon de Añisclo, Cola de Caballo, and Gargantas de Escuain.
2. Teide National Park

Teide National Park is located in the Canary Islands, an exotic Spanish archipelago known for its picture-perfect locations and adventurous travel activities. I first visited this gem during my family trip to Tenerife, one of the top islands in Spain. Teide is one of the most iconic national landmarks in Spain; it is the highest peak in the country and the highest volcano in all of Europe. Teide is a must-see on many Spain bucket lists, and countless adventure seekers take on the hiking trail to Teide Peak as a personal challenge. There is even a local mysterious Spanish legend that suggests from the top of Teide, one can see the secret 9th island of the Canary Archipelago. Surprisingly, the 9th island appears on many ancient maps from the 13th century until 1755, but no one has ever been able to prove its existence. The strange island is said to be located near El Hierro.
Teide is one of the most visited national parks in Spain, attracting over 4 million visitors each year. Since 2007, Teide National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of around 19,000 hectares, so it’s no wonder that you’ll find many unique travel experiences in the area, like Teide National Park Night Sky Star Safari & Dinner, Teide Crater Tour, Sunset Quad Trip to Mount Teide, Mt. Teide Forest Off-Road Quad Tour, Mount Teide Observatory Guided Tour, and Teide National Park Landscapes and Viewpoints Private Tour.
3. Aiguestortes National Park


Aiguestortes National Park (officially Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park) is essentially a two-in-one park, consisting of the Sant Nicolau Valley, with access from the village of Boi, and the Escrita Valley, with access from the village of Espot. I completely fell in love with Aiguestortes National Park during a recent Pyrenees road trip. It’s one of the top weekend trip destinations from Barcelona, known for its unique hiking trails, such as the Ruta del Planell de Aiguestortes y Estany Llong. You can read more details about my experience in Aiguestortes National Park in this post.
4. Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park was one of the highlights of my trip to Lanzarote. While it’s possible to virtually travel to the moon, this Spanish National Park offers a similar experience in real life. Timanfaya National Park was formed more than 300 years ago due to volcanic eruptions. The landscape remains one of the most otherworldly in Spain, with peculiar and colorful rock formations. It is one of the most protected National Parks in Spain, and you cannot simply walk around on your own. The easiest way to visit Timanfaya is to book one of the organized tours: Timanfaya National Park and La Geria Day Tour, Timanfaya and Green Lagoon Shore Excursion, Hike Across Timanfaya’s Volcanic Landscapes, Timanfaya National Park Volcanic Craters Tour, and Timanfaya National Park Trekking Tour.
5. Picos de Europa National Park



Picos de Europa National Park is a must-visit on any Northern Spain road trip. It is one of the largest and oldest national parks in Spain, covering 67,455 hectares. Located between the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile-Leon, the park is known for its stunning natural beauty. On a more personal note, things didn’t go as planned for me during my visit to Picos de Europa, so I’m determined to return. Although the park is considered one of the most beautiful places in Spain, my experience was a nightmare. I encountered a stressful drive up the mountains, foggy weather, and cows randomly blocking the road. When I finally reached the famous Lakes of Covadonga, the weather prevented me from seeing anything. Despite the challenges, I still dream of returning to Picos de Europa next summer.
6. Islas Atlánticas de Galicia National Park

Islas Atlánticas de Galicia (or The Atlantic Islands of Galicia) is one of the Spanish national parks I dream of exploring the most, especially after watching the popular Spanish TV show A Private Affair (2022), which was entirely filmed in the region of Galicia. The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is made up of four archipelagos: Cíes, Ons, Sálvora, and Cortegada. The first two are the most popular to visit. The Cíes Islands are known for some of the most iconic beaches in Northern Spain, thanks to their Caribbean-like appearance (though the water is quite refreshing).
The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park has been on my travel bucket list for ages, but it’s easier said than done. First, local authorities limit the number of daily visitors to each island. Secondly, you must obtain special permission through the Xunta de Galicia website 90 days before your trip. Once you receive a confirmation email, you need to purchase boat tickets from one of the authorized companies. The official boats only operate to the Cíes Islands during the summer months or the Easter holidays. So, visiting this Spanish national park is a constant challenge, but I’m determined to make it there next summer.
Map of National Parks in Spain
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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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Stunning! Walking the Camino is high on our travel bucket list but these gorgeous national parks in Spain are not calling to me too!
These parks look absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for this compilation!
Picos de Europa reminds me a lot of my Camino Primitivo hike through northern Spain, and Timanfaya really does look like it could be the moon! All look beautiful 🙂
Timanfaya is definitely one of the most incredible landscape I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to visit the other ones 😀