Yzabelle BostynSPAIN is coming alive this Spring and here’s the five stunning National Parks you should visit to see it in full bloom.
Across the country, 16 National Parks offer Spaniards the opportunity to enjoy nature.
From sweeping mountains to dense forests, there’s something for everyone and Spring is the perfect time to enjoy nature.
Take advantage of the pleasant warm temperatures to go hiking, have a picnic or cycle through Spain’s natural wonders.
Picos de Europa
The first National Park in Spain, Picos de Europa was given the honour over a hundred years ago.
It’s easy to see why, the beauty of the mountainous area makes you feel like you could be in Canada or the Alps.
Highlights include the Lagos de Covadonga, the cable car at Fuente De and the Ruta de Cares.
Just 15 miles from the Bay of Biscay and near Santander, Oviedo and San Sebastian, this National Park makes a great addition to any holiday.
It’s also great to be enjoyed on its own, with many cute mountain villages and natural spectacles to explore.
Tablas de Daimiel
One of the most important wetlands on the Iberian peninsula, the Tablas de Daimiel are also some of the most threatened in Europe.
Located in Ciudad Real, they are a complex ecosystem, creating a unique habitat and characteristic look.
Visitors can enjoy bird spotting from the various bridges and walkways that run over the floodplains.
Now is a great time to visit the park, as recent rain has flooded the area, filling it with new life.
Doñana
Near Sevilla, Cadiz and Huelva, Doñana is home to 120,000 hectares of important wetlands, pine forests and dunes.
Like the Tablas de Daimiel, the park is perfect for bird spotting, including flamingoes.
It is also known for its local lynx population.
Many visitors choose to explore the park’s variety of landscapes by horse, bike or walking.
Islas Atlanticas de Galicia
Golden sand and turquoise water, Cies, Ons, Salvora and Cortegada are paradise found to the north of Spain.
They have been named as some of the best beaches in the world by various newspapers and it’s easy to see why.
Flanked by dramatic rocks, the islands are not only a lovely place to relax but explore.
However, spring is the best time to visit, as thousands of tourists flood the beaches in summer.
Ordesa and Monte Perdido
Found in Huesca, this National Park is formed of four valleys, Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuaín and Pineta.
Start your trip at Torla, where buses ship visitors into the heart of the park.
From here you can find from the most emblematic routes in the Pyrenees, taking you to the Cola de Caballo.
The impressive landscape takes you to a waterfall where you can relax before heading back.
May and June are the best months to visit, thanks to the flowers covering the land like a blanket and strong waterfalls thanks to melting snow.
READ MORE: This resort in northern Spain is the perfect alternative to overcrowded Ibiza – according to the Sun
