As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Spain, here's our pick out of visitor attractions across the country.
Contributing writers: Paul Bloomfield, Ginny Light, Richard Hammond
Photos: Christopher Willan/Greentraveller
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Traveller's Guide to Green Spain:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Caozo Waterfall, Valdastillas, Extremadura One of the most accessible of several spectacular waterfalls in Extremadura, it's just a short walk of the main CC.17.5 road between Piornal and Valdastillas. The 30m tumble of water is best viewed from the handy viewing platform that has been built to make it safer to admire this breathtaking sight. https://reservaextremadura.com/en/actividad/cascada-el-caozo
The viewing platform at Caozo Waterfall, Extremadura. Photo: Christopher Willan
Cherry Blossom Festivals, Extremadura Extremadura's Jerte Valley is famous world-wide for its cherries - we’ve probably all eaten them from our local supermarkets as they’re widely exported. Over 200 cherry types are grown in the area including three varieties of Picota which are highly prized. They’re a huge bright red fruit that could be almost as large as plums and grow straight from the branch with no stalk. Visitors can try their hand at picking, a firm pulling motion straight from tree with cherries placed into baskets that are handmade from the wood of nearby chestnut trees. You can organise cherry tours and picking through the village tourist offices or hotels and join in the festivities of the harvest (May-September) with a day’s picking rewarded with a large alfresco meal. Spring festivals celebrate the cherry blossoms with parties, live music, workshops and cooking events, there’s also the Cherry Museum in a former Civil Guard quarters in Cabezuela del Valle. It’s friendly, though its information is in Spanish only. turismovalledeljerte.com/cerezo-en-flor
Garganta la Olla and nearby natural bathing areas, Extremadura
Wild swimming is very much part of village life in this wild and sparsely populated region to the south-west of Madrid. Each summer across the region, rivers are dammed using boards between metal beams set into the riverbed to restrict the flow downstream and create large deep pools for people of all ages to gather to chat, swim and relax. There are many of these watercourses outside the medieval town of Gargana la Olla, known for its half-timbered and tile-roofed buildings. On our trip to Extremadura, we started the day watching the sun rise over this valley then headed down to the river which features a series of waterfalls and pools, popular swimming spots with local families. Closest to the village, Las Pilatillas de Abajo is a natural swimming pool created by damming a section of water. Other swimming areas include Garganta de Cuartos in Losar de la Vera, Cáceres; Garganta de Alardos in Madrigal de la Vera and Garganta de Pedro Chate in Jaraíz de la Vera. See our feature article Taking a dip in Extremadura. More info: turismoextremadura.com
Left: Garganta la Olla; Right: Las Pilatillas de Abajo
Photos: Christopher Willan/Greentraveller
La Alberca, Castilla y León The first rural town in Spain to be declared a National Historic Monument, La Alberca is the capital of Sierra de Francia Comarca, closed to the border with Portugal. Pride of place is the Plaza Mayor square, surrounded by colonnaded arcades and several bars, cafes and restaurants serving mostly traditional food. La Asunción parish church, built in the 18th century, is home to a granite pulpit from the 16th century and a Gothic processional cross in gilt copper, as well as a figure of the Cristo del Sudor attributed to Juan de Juni. laalberca.com
El Bosque de Béjar, Castilla y León
Close to the city of Béjar (renowned for being a reference point for the Renaissance in Spain, at the interchange between a medieval castle-fortress and a Renaissance village), El Bosque de Béjar, built in the mid 16th Century, is famous for its Italian-style mansion villa, orchard, and romantic garden among forests of huge trees and ornamental water features. Visit in autumn for the rich colours of hazel, chestnut and walnut trees. Open Wed mornings, and all day Thursday to Sunday, guided tours available at 5.30pm. More information: turismocastillayleon.com
Jardines de la Granja, Castilla y León
The formal French-style gardens of the magnificent Jardines de la Granja are considered "the most important contribution to the reign of Philip V to the history of Spanish gardens". In front of the Versaille-like Royal Palace, drawing on water from the nearby mountains of Montes de Valsaín using an 18th Century hydraulic system still in use today, the iconic 'La Fama' fountains (lined with marble statues) is one of 25 'Monumental Foundations'. Come here to simply to stroll around and admire the baroquial splendour that extends over 146 hectares of gardens and forest (look out for the impressive mountain long views along tree-lined paths). Open year round Tuesday to Sunday. patrimonionacional.es
Natural Park of Las Batuecas and Sierra de Francia, Castilla y León
In the south of Salamanca close to La Alberca, the Natural Park of Las Batuecas and Sierra de Francia is part of the western foothills of the Central Mountain Range whose highest points (Pico La Hastiala and Peña de Francia) dominate the skyline. It's a mystically place contrasting deep canyons with flat plains, and is an important site of historic and artistic heritage, including Neolithic rock art (at La Batueca, Castañar, Caballos, Monedas and Risca), shrines and monasteries. The range of habitats are home to a variety of wildlife, including Iberian lynx and ibex, and a rich variety of birds, such as griffon and black vultures, Egyptian vultures, golden eagle, peregrine falcons, and eagle owl. The visitor centre is in Carretera Las Batuecas. More information: patrimonionatural.org and turismocastilla.com
Sierra Norte Natural Park, Castile-La Mancha
Everything about the Sierra Norte Natural Park in Guadalajara is on a huge scale - the relief, the waterfalls, the biodiversity and the opportunities to explore this vast and rugged mountainous area. It's a designated natural park in the Castile-La Mancha area of Spain to the south of Madrid, rarely visited by anyone outside of Madrid, and yet it has so much to see and do. For an in-depth information about the park, where to stay and eat nearby, see our feature article Hiking and Conservation in the Sierra Norte Natural Park.
Black architecture villages, Castile-La Mancha
The use of locally mined slate (in contrast to the terracotta and pale stone buildings typical of the area) meant that there are several villages in Castile-La Mancha known as black architecture villages, their unusual dark tones intriguing camouflaging the buildings with their surroundings. Just 50 kilometres from the city of Guadalajara, they're on the slopes of Mount Ocejón: those on the eastern slope are Retiendas, Campillejo, El Espinar, Roblelacasa, Campillo de Ranas, Robleluengo and Majaelrayo; those on the western slope are Almiruete, Palancares and Valverde de los Arroyos. At a push, they can all be visited in a day by car, but if you take your time, you can visit them at a more comfortable pace over several days, which will allow time to visit some of the other main attractions in the area, such as the ruins of the Cistercian monastery of Bonaval and the town of Cogolludo, with a notable Plaza Mayor and Ducal Palace. spain.info/en/region/guadalajara-province/
Guadarrama National Park, Communidad de Madrid The fourth largest national park in Spain (covering nearly 34000 hectares), the Sierra de Guadarrama is just one hour by car from Madrid. Famous for providing the backdrop for countless films (as well as the landscape backgrounds of Velázquez's royal portraits), the terrain ranges from oak and pine groves and creeping juniper forests a lower areas, while higher up there are high-altitude pastures, wet meadows and small patches of birch and. yew. It's home to a remarkable range of biodiversity, including a variety of beautiful butterflies, more than 1,000 plant species, including 83 that are endemic, many mountain birds, such as the alpine accentor, wheatear, bluethroat and red rock thrush, endangered species such as the black vulture, imperial eagle and black stork, and nearly 60 species of mammals, including mountain goats, otters and a variety of bats. parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es Chillida’s Wind Comb, San Sebastian, The Basque Country
San Sebastian has numerous public artworks, the most famous of which is Eduardo Chillida’s three dramatic steel sculptures mounted on rocks at the western end of Ondarreta beach. The situation was chosen by Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui to be within the tidal ranges so the sculptures look dramatically different when viewed at high or low tide. These ‘Peigne du Vent’ are the starting point for the Côte Contemporaine walking trail that includes further work by Chillida and fellow Basque sculptor, Nestor Basterretxea. At the eastern end of the beach a pedestrian tunnel below the El Pico del Loro outcrop has a changing display of art and leads to La Concha beach and another Chillida work. sansebastianturismo.com
Caves of Altamira, Cantabria
Two kilometres outside Santillana del Mar are the Altamira caves where a series of 145,000-year-old paintings of bison, doe and horses were found. The actual relics are closed to visitors to protect them from deterioration, bar a tiny ballot of ticket-holders each week, but a painstakingly built replica exists, with drawings created using the charcoal and red oxides of the original. The cave was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 (considered to possess 'Exceptional Universal Value') and is often referred to as ‘the Sistine Chapel’ of quaternary art. There is also a museum which is host to temporary exhibitions and workshops alongside information about the paintings and their discovery. The site is closed on Mondays and some public holidays. spain.info/en/places-of-interest/national-museum-research-centre-altamira
Llanes, Asturias
One of the most popular Asturian towns, Llanes (pronounced ‘Janice’) has it all - a pretty harbour front, sandy coves and the Picos de Europa mountains as a backdrop. Part of the town’s medieval defences remain, including 300 metres of pre-Romanesque walls and a tower now occupied by the tourist office. Down at the port, the sea defences has been given a makeover by Basque artist Agustin Ibarrrola whose Cubes of Memory' are a public artwork. Of the 29 beaches close to the town the most popular is Playa el Sablón because it is tranquil and reached by the Paseo San Pedro walk, a scenic 800 metres long. However, the most curious beaches are Cobijeru and Gulpiyuri, which face inland and have been created by water and sand rushing through gaps in the cliff. Another beach, Poo, is the most giggle-inducing but beautiful despite the name and pronounced ‘Poe’ in Spanish. Elaborate colonial mansions surround Llanes that were built by emigres returning from Latin America bringing with them wealth from exports and a cosmopolitan style termed ‘Indian architecture’. Artisan cheese from ‘queserías’ and cider houses called ‘sidrerías’ are among the gastronomic specialities. spain.info/en/destination/llanes/
Lugo, Galicia
Lugo is best known for its city walls - the entire perimeter around what was the Roman town of Lucus Augusti remain intact making them the finest example of late Roman fortifications in western Europe. Visitors can encircle the town on the 2.3km walkway along the top of the walls. Lugo is also one of the main stopping off points along the Camino Primitivo, the oldest Camino de Santiago route, and is famous for its cathedral, Praza de Santa Maria. The 12th century Romanesque building has evolved over time to incorporate elements of Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical styles. spain.info/en/destination/lugo/
La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Girona Pyrenees, Catalonia
This unique region in far north-eastern Catalonia was created by dramatic volcanic ructions, and some 40 cones and more than 20 lava flows are still evident in the natural park. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and climate it’s a natural wonderland, much forested and scattered with historic villages. turismegarrotxa.com
Video of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park filmed by Richard Hammond and produced by Green Traveller productions for DestiMED PLUS
Val d’Aran Biosphere Destination, Val d’Aran, Catalonia
The spectacular Pyrenean landscapes, dominated by mountains, forests, lakes and the Garona River are the main scenic attractions of this long-isolated highland valley, and key reasons why it became the first mountain tourist destination to receive UNESCO Biosphere Responsible Tourism Certification. spain.info/en/nature/biosphere-reserve-val-aran
Romanesque churches of the Boí Valley, Lleida Pyrenees, Catalonia
The eight Romanesque churches and hermitage retreat of the Boí Valley are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were built during the 11th and 12th Century, based on an architectural style imported from northern Italy of iconic slim bell-towers and rounded arcading and pilaster strips. centreromanic.com
Castillo de La Calahorra, Las Alpujarras, Granada
Looking for all the world like a giant sandcastle looming over the plains east of Granada, the mighty fortress at La Calahorra is arguably the most unusual and dramatic castle in Spain. Its four bulbous corner towers and high, massive outer walls enclose an elegant Italian Renaissance interior, built between 1509 and 1512 for nobleman Rodrigo de Vivar y Mendoza on the site of a much older Moorish bastion. Today it’s privately owned and only available to visit on Wednesdays (usually 10am-1pm and 5-7pm or by appointment with caretaker Antonio Trivaldo, +34 958 67 70 98). It’s been used as a film set more than once – you might have spotted it during a surreal scene in the Spice Girls’ movie! La Calahorra is at the bottom (northern) end of the road leading down from the Puerto de la Ragua, the main pass over the Sierra Nevada. portal.dipgra.es
Guadix, Las Alpujarras, Granada
Now famous for its (still inhabited) troglodyte dwellings, Guadix was already old when the Romans settled here at the town they called Acci – indeed, Hadrian reputedly marvelled at the antiquity of Guadix – before the Moors established their own town of Wadi-Ash (‘River of Life’). About 1000 people still live in caves, and a visit to one of the cave museums provides fascinating insights into subterranean life. The 11th-century Islamic Alcazaba (castle, accessed from Calle Barradas) affords views over the cave quarter of the city, and the 16th-century sandstone baroque-Renaissance cathedral is also worth exploring. spain.info/en/destination/guadix
Es Caló de Sant Agustí, Formentera
A traditional fishing village to the east of the island’s north coast, Es Caló’s picturesque natural harbour is lined with simple wooden boathouses designed to protect the locals’ small vessels from the salt water. One of the best places on the island to see these traditional dry docks (with their distinctive matchstick-style wooden ramps and roofs they were declared an official site of cultural interest since 2002), the village is also a great place for a post-swim lunch or dinner, with several restaurants to choose from. To the west are the sandy coves of Ses Platgetes and, to the east, the cliffs of La Mola, reachable on foot via green route 25, which follows a historic path to La Mola lighthouse known as the Camí de Sa Pujada. formentera.es/en/explore/villages
Estany Pudent y Ses Salines, Formentera
A large lake in the north of the island, between La Savina and Es Pujols, Estany Pudent is a must-visit for birdwatchers and, as such, off-limits to swimmers. Flamingos, storks and shelducks can often be spotted from the Es Brolls walking and cycle path, which fringes the lagoon, as can several species of waders, ducks and herons. It’s also home to one of the largest concentrations of black-necked grebes in Europe; sometimes they flock here in their thousands. Nearby are the salt flats of Ses Salines, which flush pink and violet in the summer. In use for centuries, their importance in the island’s long history of salt production saw them declared a monument of historical cultural interest in 2004. See also our section on birdwatching in Formentera in Activities in Formentera.
Casita Verde, Ibiza
A pioneering ecology centre "in the green heart of Ibiza's beautiful countryside". Founded by Chris Dews in 1993, it's as much a showcase and educational hub for green living as it is a visitor centre, with a demonstration treehouse, wagon-style tiny house and a number of green-living spaces and communcal areas. Tours run each Sunday, from the beginning of October until the end of May, during which you'll learn about the application and principles of Permaculture techniques, the use of renewable energy, the collection, responsible consumption and reuse of water, as well as the reuse and recycling of waste materials.
It has now opened a second site in Granada, and has also produced a handy online guide to green Ibiza, listing a range of environmental businesses, organisations and facilities across the island, from accommodation and visitor attractions to recycling centres and ecological stores. casitaverde.com
Valldemossa, Majorca
The car-free historic town of Valldemossa (whose weekly market is on Sundays) is high up within the World Heritage Tramuntana mountain range in the west of the island, just inland from the coast. Expect cobbled streets amid impressive mountain views, surrounded by lush forests, olive and almond trees. It's home to La Cartuja – an ancient Carthusian Monastery that was once the residence of Jaime II, and housed priests from 1399 to 1835, as well as two well-known visitors the polish composer Frederic Chopin and French writer George Sand whose writings and correspondence are kept here. It's also home to the Costa Nord cultural centre, which hosts concerts and exhibitions. mallorca.es/en/-/valldemossa
Garajonay National Park, La Gomera, Canary Islands
Sixty minutes by boat from the west of Tenerife (also reachable by plane from Tenerife and Gran Canaria), La Gomera feels like a million miles away from the packed resorts of its larger neighbours. The entire island is a biosphere reserve, covering an area of just over 370 square kilometres, and is defined by a volcanic interior criss-crossed by hiking trails. The ancient green laurel forests of Garajonay National Park, in the centre and north of the island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its intense green forests, huge rocky outcrops, and over a thousand endemic species, including giant lizards, skinks, tree frogs and pigeons (Laurel ad Bolle's). The visitor centre is at Juego de Bolas in the north of the land, and there is accommodation just outside the park's boundary – for more information see lagomera.travel.
Transvulcania Ultramarathon, La Palma, Canary Islands
The World Heritage Biosphere island of La Palma is the most northwesterly of the Canary Islands. In May it hosts a 'Trasvulcania marathon' where runners follow trails across the island's impressive volcanic landscape. The main route follows the Ruta del Baston and then over the Caldera de Taburiente National Park as it ascends to the Roque de los Muchachos. There are several options: a full ultra marathon (just over 73km from the Fuencaliente Lighthouse to Los Llannos de Aridane), a half marathon, a standard marathon and the Vertical KM, which is a 7-kilometre climb up from Puerto de Tazacorte beach (in the opposite direction of the ultra marathon's course) up to the viewpoint of Piedra del Guanche with views of the northeast of the island and the Ardiane Valley. Not for the faint hearted! The island is reachable by boat from the other islands but also has its own international airport with direct flights from several Spanish cities (including Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona) and several European cities, including Berlin, London, Zürich and Amsterdam.
El Hierro, Canary Islands
El Hierro is the most westerly, southerly and least populated of the Canary Islands that's both a World Heritage Reserve and a Geopark. It's known for its green dense forests, rocky cliffs and natural pools as well as being a symbol of sustainability thanks to its policy of using renewable energy – it draws on both wind and hydro-electric energy to meet all of the island's demand for electricity. The island's tourism authorities are also on a mission to encourage low impact activities, such as ecotourism, hiking and birdwatching, to reduce the impact of tourism on the island's environment. The island is reachable by boat, a 2-3 hour journey from the south of Tenerife, or by plane from Tenerife (40 minutes) and Gran Canaria (55 minutes). The Mar de las Calmas off the island of El Hierro, is planning to be Spain’s first fully marine national park. The area is already renowned for its biodiversity and underwater volcanic landscapes and is set to become the country's 17th national park. The park’s designation will ensure the preservation of unique volcanic reefs, caves, and deep-sea habitats that support various species, including sperm whales and whale sharks. elhierro.travel
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For nearby places to stay, local food and drink, and low impact outdoor adventure activities, see Green Traveller's Guide to Spain
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