Spain isn't just beautiful for its cities.
The country is home to some of the world's most stunning landscapes.
Here are Spain's 16 national parks, and what to expect in each one:
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1. Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici
Located in Catalonia, and translated to Twisted Waters and St. Maurice Lake.
Highlights include the Carros de Foc hiking route and Mirador dels Encantats viewpoint.
Hunting, fishing, and camping are prohibited.
2. Cabañeros
Located in Castilla-La Mancha, and named after the Sierra de Cabañeros mountain range.
Home to endangered species, the Iberian Lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
Highlights include the Ruta de las Reliquias and Ruta del Boquerón del Estena hiking routes.
3. Cabrera Archipelago
Located in the Balearic Islands and named after the Cabrera Archipelago, a group of islands that make up the park.
Boat tours, guided hikes, and snorkeling & scuba diving.
Highlights include the Castle of Cabrera and lighthouse of Punta de l'Esperó.
4. Caldera de Taburiente
Located in the Canary Islands and translated to the Cauldron of Taburiente.
Known for its volcanic landscapes and large, circular depression formed by the collapse of a volcanic cone.
The most popular hiking trail is the Ruta de los Volcanes.
5. Doñana
Located in Andalusia and named after the nearby village of Doñana.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Has an important role as a migratory stopover for birds traveling between Europe and Africa.
Most popular hiking trail is the Ruta del Acebuche.
6. Garajonay
Located in the Canary Islands and named after the nearby mountain of Garajonay.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
Good for hiking, camping, and picnicking.
Higlights include the Ruta de los Cedros trail, which showcases the park's laurel forests.
7. Guadarrama
Located in the Madrid region and named after the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.
Contains important cultural and historical sites, including the Monastery of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen.
One of the most popular routes is the Cuerda Larga.
8. Illas Atlánticas de Galicia
Located in Galicia and translated to the Atlantic Islands of Galicia.
The park includes several beaches and coves popular for swimming.
Visitors are required to book a prior authorization request for visit from the Galician government.
9. Monfragüe
Located in Extremadura and named after the nearby Mongragüe Castle.
In 1988, the European Union designated the park as a Special Protection Area for bird life.
Eurasian Black Vultures, Imperial Eagles, Griffon Vultures, and more.
Remarkable sightseeing.
10. Ordesa y Monte Perdido
Located in Aragón and translated to Ordesa (Valley) and Lost Mountain.
Part of the Pyrenees mountain range that separates Spain from France.
Highlights include the Ruta de las Cascadas, which takes visitors to beautiful waterfalls and cascades.
11. Picos de Europa
Located in the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Castilla y León in northern Spain. Translated to Peaks of Europe.
One of the most popular national parks in Spain for backpacking.
Highlights include the Cares Gorge and the park's several glacial lakes.
12. Sierra Nevada
Located in Andalusia and translated to Snowy Mountain Range.
The park is known for hiking, skiing, and birdwatching.
The Sierra Nevada Ski Station is Europe's southernmost ski resort.
It also contains the highest peak in mainland Spain, Mulhacén.
13. Sierra de las Nieves
Located in Andalusia and translated to Mountain Range of the Snows.
The park contains a number of sizable caves, most famously Hoyos del Pilar, Hoyos de Lifa, Cuevas del Moro.
Other highlights include the Ruta de los Pinsapos pine-forest trail.
14. Tablas de Daimiel
Located in Castilla-La Mancha and translated to Tables of Daimiel.
The park is known for its wetlands, and is a series of shallow lagoons and marshes.
Most common activities include birdwatching, hiking, and exploring the park's wetlands.
15. Teide
Located in the Canary Islands and translated from the Guanche language to mean Mountain.
The park is the most visited national park in Spain, and is home to the Teide Volcano.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular destination for stargazing.
16. Timanfaya
Located in the Canary Islands with no direct translation, although believed to come from the Guanche language.
The park's moon-like terrain, with barren lava fields and craters, has been compared to the surface of Mars.
Famous for its Route of the Volcanoes.
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