Europe’s only desert is in Almeria, and the sole European coffee plantation is in the Spanish Canary Islands. Unknown to most, locals and foreigners, we have selected 10 of the natural wonders in Spain that are more than an excuse to return again and again to the Iberian Peninsula. You will be enchanted by vertiginous cliffs, reddish drylands, crystalline waters and ancient Roman gold mines. The adventure has only just begun.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Caminito del Rey, Málaga
Popularly referred to as El Caminito del Rey (the King’s little pathway) was built at the turn of the 20th century and is known to be one of the most dangerous walkways. The narrow gorge rises over 100 metres (328ft) above the Gualdalhorce River below. The walkway attached to the steep walls of the El Chorro gorge is only one-hour drive from Málaga.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – La Mola lighthouse, Formentera
Opened on 30th November 1861, La Mola lighthouse is situated in the village known as El Pilar de la Mola in Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain. It is the highest point on the island and gives a great view of Formentera. This symbolic lighthouse offers a breathtaking night time display with twelve powerful beams of light turning unendingly between land and sea. This view still serves today and appearing isolated, light flashes every five seconds.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Highest cliffs in Continental Europe, Galicia
The highest cliffs in continental Europe are not in Hornelen , Norway. If we stick to the European continent, then the highest cliffs are in Spain, in San Andres de Teixido , Galicia, and are probably higher than the considered 612 meters hieght. La Garita de Herveira is an excellent view point you would want to experience. Very close to this stunning place is the Ortegal which is known to hold the oldest rocks of the Iberian Peninsula and the fourth in the world.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Las Médulas Roman gold mines, León
Las Médulas is an historic mining site near the town of Ponferrada in the region of El Bierzo province of León, Spain which used to be the most important gold mine and largest open pit gold mine in the entire Roman Empire. The survey and excavations of pre-Roman and Roman settlements throughout the area allowed for new historical interpretations that greatly enriched the study of Roman mining. A positive result of these systematic studies was the inclusion of Las Médulas as a World Heritage Site in 1997. This impressive shot was taken during one of our CÚRATE Trips around Madrid & Castile.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Stargazing in Teide, Tenerife
Tenerife is an amazing island, not just because of its appealing climatic condition. With the Sahara on one side and the wide Atlantic on the other, but it is here from the volcano Teide that you can gaze into the inky blackness of its skies, speckled with a billion tiny lights. Its high altitude – its 3,718-metre summit is the highest point in Spain -, clean air and clear skies makes it one of the world preferred destinations to gaze at the stars.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Tabernas desert, Almería
The sole desert in Europe is not too far from Costa del Sol. The Tabernas Desert (Desierto de Tabernas) is one of the most unique deserts in the world. This arid region is located in Almeria, a southeastern province in Spain known to be the driest region in the continent of Europe. It used to be an established location for the movie industry, well known productions such as Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and The Food, the Bad and the Ugly were filmed in the western village movie sets. It’s now a natural protected area whose idiosyncrasy, immune to the passing of time, is worth a visit. Here is produced one of the best extra virgin olive oils in the world.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Agaete, the sole coffee plantation in Europe, Las Palmas
Agaete Valley is the only place in Europe where the people have kept the tradition of growing coffee alive. A tradition which had started up in the Canaries back in the 18th century and had since lived on in this little Grancanarian town from Las Palmas. The type of coffee that is majorly grown here is the noble arabica. They have very good flavor and even though they might not be produced in large quantity, they are well known for their great quality.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Sa Calobra, Mallorca
The remote Sa Calobra Beach is surely a must see place when you visit Mallorca. The sights of the road are a pleasure to behold, it’s not for nothing that it has been an inspiration for artists in the past and present. You can walk through a tunnel between the cliffs from the Port of Calobra. With wild beach and no sun bed, the pebble beach of Sa Calobra is guarded by two colossal cliffs, giving it a glamorous look far better than the other beaches in Mallorca.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – Bárdenas Reales, Navarra
The landscape of the Bárdenas Reales Natural Park shaped for over millions of years due to the action erosion. The wearing away of its chalk, sandstone soils and clay over the years have been able to form an amazing landscape full of plateau, lonely hills and numerous gullies which can sometimes serve as an inspiration to them that beholds its wonders. It has also been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. If you want to explore it in full and feel full freedom, we can arrange you to stay at Hotel Aire de Bárdenas for a genuine, singular and all-embracing experience; this oasis combines architecture, design, comfort and haute cuisine in a single space.
10 Natural wonders in Spain – La Geria, lunar vineyards, Lanzarote
La Geria abides in the north east of the island of Lanzarote , is a place known for its wine production and it is the biggest of all the Canary Islands. The grapes that are being gown here are of malvasia and moscato. Situated on the edge of the badlands and encompassed with murky volcanic ash, gazing at the vineyards of La Geria valley you might think it was created from outer space yet the Lanzaroteños cultivates vines on this arid and hostile ground.
It’s time to start exploring the lesser known regions to find your own space away from the crowds. Usually underrated, for sure unconventional and definitely undiscovered for the mass, we struggle to embrace a sustainable and enriching destinations. We are here to listen to you and to assist you in your next off beat escape, or we invite you to join one of our very special small group journeys.
