The Spain you might not expect

Every country has major landmarks known the world over—Spain is no different. And while the Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra are absolutely incredible man-made structures that you need to make every effort to see in person, Mother Nature has also blessed Spain with quite a few impressive sights.

From the heights of mountaintops to the depths of caves, with plenty of vantage points in between, Spain’s natural scenery will take your breath away.

Read on to see a side of Spain you might have missed the first time around in the following regions. 

Barcelona

According to local legend, Tibidabo is the spot where the devil tempted Jesus—in Latin, tibi dabo means “I will give it to you”—and it’s not hard to see why. At 1,679 feet, the highest mountain in the Serra de Collserola range, the panoramic views of Barcelona showcase the Mediterranean Sea and the city stretching out beneath.

People don’t just come to Tibidabo for the amazing views. There’s also an amusement park (built in 1889 as the world’s first one) and Sagrat Cor, a cathedral.           

Basque Country

Northern Spain’s Basque Country holds a national treasure: Salto de Nervión, the highest waterfall (728 feet) on the Iberian Peninsula. It’s also the second-tallest waterfall in Europe.

There are three hiking routes to choose from, stretching from a family-friendly 15 minutes to a more experienced walk of 90 minutes. In order to truly see it in all its glory, visit the waterfall after heavy storms, a rainy period or during the winter thaw season.

Extremadura

Bring your binoculars to El Salto del Gitano, a famous viewpoint for birdwatching. This craggy rock formation on both sides of the Tagus River is nearly 1,000 feet high and is the nesting habitat for griffon vultures.

Photographers from all over "flock" to the different viewing platforms to snap pictures of these birds as well as Egyptian vultures, imperial eagles and black storks.

La Gomera

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Garajonay National Park is one of those dreamy atmospheric forests, where the floor is covered in ferns and other greenery, the trees lean and stretch their limbs out to each other above your dirt path and much of the bark is covered in moss thanks to the humidity.

This magical laurel forest stretches through nearly 10,000 acres in La Gomera, one of Spain’s Canary Islands.     

Madrid

Steps away from the Prado Museum in Spain’s capital city, Madrid, is the Real Jardín Botánico, a 20-acre botanical garden. Founded in the 18^th century, the garden is today full of more than 5,500 plant species from around the world.

There are seven outdoor gardens and five indoor greenhouses, and here is where you’ll find something rare: one greenhouse accurately recreates a desert climate, one of the few spots to do so in Europe.

Málaga

A mixture of mountain paths and suspended walkways against the walls of steep cliffs, El Caminito Del Rey was once considered one of the world’s most dangerous hikes. Safety measures were implemented this century, but you still might need nerves of steel in order to relax and enjoy the incredible views of canyons, a large valley and animals like wild boar, golden eagles and Iberian ibex.

This one-way path takes about three to four hours to complete, so be sure to bring water and snacks along.  

Mallorca

On the southeastern end of Mallorca, in a fishing village called Porto Cristo, you’ll find the Drach Caves. After a guided tour through the four interconnected caves—the Black Cave, the White Cave, the Cave of Luis Salvador and the Cave of the French—you’ll board a boat and be gently whisked across one of the biggest underground lakes in the world.

The experience culminates in a 10-minute classical music concert performed by a quartet of cellos, harpsichord and two violins as you gently rock on the water. 

Navarre

In northeast Spain, about 43 miles from the Pyrenees Mountains, lies a place you’d expect more in the Wild West than you might in Spain. Bárdenas Reales, the Badlands, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Formed by millions of years of erosion from wind and water, this area is full of unique rock formations and otherworldly landscapes, plus a few abandoned houses.

If the landscape looks familiar to you, it’s been featured in Game of Thrones and also in a few movies, including James Bond “The World is Not Enough.”

Tenerife

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife’s spectacular beaches have always been a natural draw. But what you might not have seen before is the “sea of clouds” the island can have thanks to the trade winds. As the clouds get pushed against the mountains in the north, the wet air condenses and hotter winds prevent the clouds from rising.

From below, it appears as a cloudy day, but if you go to viewpoints like Mirador de le Tarte de Tiede, you can see the frothy “sea” below.

Zamora

The Duero River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms a natural northwestern border between Portugal and Spain. Flowing for 557 miles, the powerful river also created some of the deepest gorges in Spain. Arribes del Duero Nature Reserve is a canyon that stretches for 62 miles. Take a nature cruise to enjoy the tranquility.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like peregrine falcons, golden eagles, otters and foxes. In addition, if you know your trees, you can also spot species like juniper and cork oak. There are even olive and almond trees here, rare for this latitude, but Spain is full of natural surprises. 

Ready to go? Start planning your trip now.