Areas of curiosity in Spain

Contributing writers: Paul Bloomfield, Ginny Mild, Richard Hammond

Photographs: Christopher Willan/Greentraveller

Inexperienced = Locations to remain Blue = Meals & drink Yellow = Sights Purple = Actions

Caozo Waterfall, Valdastillas, Extremadura
Probably the most accessible of a number of spectacular waterfalls in Extremadura, it is only a brief stroll of the primary CC.17.5 highway between Piornal and Valdastillas. The 30m tumble of water is greatest seen from the useful viewing platform that has been constructed to make it safer to admire this breathtaking sight. https://reservaextremadura.com/en/actividad/cascada-el-caozo

The viewing platform at Caozo Waterfall, Extremadura. Picture: Christopher Willan

Cherry Blossom Festivals, Extremadura
Extremadura’s Jerte Valley is legendary world-wide for its cherries – we’ve in all probability all eaten them from our native supermarkets as they’re broadly exported. Over 200 cherry varieties are grown within the space together with three styles of Picota that are extremely prized. They’re an enormous brilliant crimson fruit that could possibly be virtually as massive as plums and develop straight from the department with no stalk. Guests can strive their hand at selecting, a agency pulling movement straight from tree with cherries positioned into baskets which might be handmade from the wooden of close by chestnut timber. You’ll be able to organise cherry excursions and selecting by way of the village vacationer workplaces or lodges and be part of within the festivities of the harvest (Could-September) with a day’s selecting rewarded with a big alfresco meal. Spring festivals rejoice the cherry blossoms with events, reside music, workshops and cooking occasions, there’s additionally the Cherry Museum in a former Civil Guard quarters in Cabezuela del Valle. It’s pleasant, although its info is in Spanish solely. turismovalledeljerte.com/cerezo-en-flor

Garganta la Olla and close by pure bathing areas, Extremadura

Wild swimming may be very a lot a part of village life on this wild and sparsely populated area to the south-west of Madrid. Every summer season throughout the area, rivers are dammed utilizing boards between steel beams set into the riverbed to limit the movement downstream and create massive deep swimming pools for individuals of all ages to assemble to speak, swim and chill out. There are a lot of of those watercourses outdoors the medieval city of Gargana la Olla, recognized for its half-timbered and tile-roofed buildings. On our journey to Extremadura, we began the day watching the solar rise over this valley then headed all the way down to the river which encompasses a sequence of waterfalls and swimming pools, fashionable swimming spots with native households. Closest to the village, Las Pilatillas de Abajo is a pure swimming pool created by damming a piece of water. Different swimming areas embrace 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 characteristic article Taking a dip in Extremadura. Extra information: turismoextremadura.com

Left: Garganta la Olla; Proper: Las Pilatillas de Abajo

Photographs: Christopher Willan/Greentraveller

La Alberca, Castilla y León
The primary rural city in Spain to be declared a Nationwide Historic Monument, La Alberca is the capital of Sierra de Francia Comarca, closed to the border with Portugal. Delight of place is the Plaza Mayor sq., surrounded by colonnaded arcades and several other bars, cafes and eating places serving principally conventional meals. La Asunción parish church, constructed within the 18th century, is dwelling to a granite pulpit from the Sixteenth century and a Gothic processional cross in gilt copper, in addition to a determine of the Cristo del Sudor attributed to Juan de Juni. laalberca.com

El Bosque de Béjar, Castilla y León

Near town of Béjar (famend for being a reference level for the Renaissance in Spain, on the interchange between a medieval castle-fortress and a Renaissance village), El Bosque de Béjar, constructed within the mid Sixteenth Century, is legendary for its Italian-style mansion villa, orchard, and romantic backyard amongst forests of big timber and decorative water options. Go to in autumn for the wealthy colors of hazel, chestnut and walnut timber. Open Wed mornings, and all day Thursday to Sunday, guided excursions out there at 5.30pm. Extra info: turismocastillayleon.com

Jardines de la Granja, Castilla y León

The formal French-style gardens of the magnificent Jardines de la Granja are thought of “an important contribution to the reign of Philip V to the historical past of Spanish gardens”. In entrance of the Versaille-like Royal Palace, drawing on water from the close by mountains of Montes de Valsaín utilizing an 18th Century hydraulic system nonetheless in use in the present day, the enduring ‘La Fama’ fountains (lined with marble statues) is one among 25 ‘Monumental Foundations’. Come right here to easily to walk round and admire the baroquial splendour that extends over 146 hectares of gardens and forest (look out for the spectacular mountain lengthy views alongside tree-lined paths). Open yr spherical Tuesday to Sunday. patrimonionacional.es

Pure Park of Las Batuecas and Sierra de Francia, Castilla y León

Within the south of Salamanca near La Alberca, the Pure Park of Las Batuecas and Sierra de Francia is a part of the western foothills of the Central Mountain Vary whose highest factors (Pico La Hastiala and Peña de Francia) dominate the skyline. It is a mystically place contrasting deep canyons with flat plains, and is a vital web site of historic and creative heritage, together with Neolithic rock artwork (at La Batueca, Castañar, Caballos, Monedas and Risca), shrines and monasteries. The vary of habitats are dwelling to a wide range of wildlife, together with Iberian lynx and ibex, and a wealthy number of birds, similar to griffon and black vultures, Egyptian vultures, golden eagle, peregrine falcons, and eagle owl. The customer centre is in Carretera Las Batuecas. Extra info: patrimonionatural.org and turismocastilla.com

Sierra Norte Pure Park, Castilla-La Mancha

All the things concerning the Sierra Norte Pure Park in Guadalajara is on an enormous scale – the aid, the waterfalls, the biodiversity and the alternatives to discover this huge and rugged mountainous space. It is a designated pure park within the Castilla-La Mancha space of Spain to the south of Madrid, not often visited by anybody outdoors of Madrid, and but it has a lot to see and do. For an in-depth details about the park, the place to remain and eat close by, see our characteristic article Mountain climbing and Conservation within the Sierra Norte Pure Park.

Black structure villages, Castilla-La Mancha

Using domestically mined slate (in distinction to the terracotta and pale stone buildings typical of the world) meant that there are a number of villages in Castilla-La Mancha generally known as black structure villages, their uncommon darkish tones intriguing camouflaging the buildings with their environment. Simply 50 kilometres from town of Guadalajara, they’re on the slopes of Mount Ocejón: these on the japanese slope are Retiendas, Campillejo, El Espinar, Roblelacasa, Campillo de Ranas, Robleluengo and Majaelrayo; these on the western slope are Almiruete, Palancares and Valverde de los Arroyos. At a push, they’ll all be visited in a day by automobile, however in the event you take your time, you may go to them at a extra comfy tempo over a number of days, which is able to permit time to go to a number of the different most important sights within the space, such because the ruins of the Cistercian monastery of Bonaval and the city of Cogolludo, with a notable Plaza Mayor and Ducal Palace. spain.information/en/area/guadalajara-province/

Guadarrama Nationwide Park, Communidad de Madrid
The fourth largest nationwide park in Spain (masking practically 34000 hectares), the Sierra de Guadarrama is only one hour by automobile from Madrid. Well-known for offering the backdrop for numerous movies (in addition to the panorama backgrounds of Velázquez’s royal portraits), the terrain ranges from oak and pine groves and creeping juniper forests a decrease areas, whereas larger up there are high-altitude pastures, moist meadows and small patches of birch and. yew. It is dwelling to a outstanding vary of biodiversity, together with a wide range of lovely butterflies, greater than 1,000 plant species, together with 83 which might be endemic, many mountain birds, such because the alpine accentor, wheatear, bluethroat and crimson rock thrush, endangered species such because the black vulture, imperial eagle and black stork, and practically 60 species of mammals, together with mountain goats, otters and a wide range of bats. parquenacionalsierraguadarrama.es

Chillida’s Wind Comb, San Sebastian, The Basque Nation

San Sebastian has quite a few public artworks, probably the most well-known of which is Eduardo Chillida’s three dramatic metal sculptures mounted on rocks on the western finish of Ondarreta seashore. The scenario was chosen by Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui to be inside the tidal ranges so the sculptures look dramatically totally different when seen at excessive or low tide. These ‘Peigne du Vent’ are the place to begin for the Côte Contemporaine strolling path that features additional work by Chillida and fellow Basque sculptor, Nestor Basterretxea. On the japanese finish of the seashore a pedestrian tunnel under the El Pico del Loro outcrop has a altering show of artwork and results in La Concha seashore and one other Chillida work. sansebastianturismo.com

Caves of Altamira, Cantabria

Two kilometres outdoors Santillana del Mar are the Altamira caves the place a sequence of 145,000-year-old work of bison, doe and horses have been discovered. The precise relics are closed to guests to guard them from deterioration, bar a tiny poll of ticket-holders every week, however a painstakingly constructed reproduction exists, with drawings created utilizing the charcoal and crimson oxides of the unique. The cave was declared a World Heritage Website by UNESCO in 1985 (thought of to own ‘Distinctive Common Worth’) and is sometimes called ‘the Sistine Chapel’ of quaternary artwork. There’s additionally a museum which is host to non permanent exhibitions and workshops alongside details about the work and their discovery. The location is closed on Mondays and a few public holidays. spain.information/en/places-of-interest/national-museum-research-centre-altamira

Probably the most fashionable Asturian cities, Llanes (pronounced ‘Janice’) has all of it – a reasonably harbour entrance, sandy coves and the Picos de Europa mountains as a backdrop. A part of the city’s medieval defences stay, together with 300 metres of pre-Romanesque partitions and a tower now occupied by the vacationer workplace. Down on the port, the ocean defences has been given a makeover by Basque artist Agustin Ibarrrola whose Cubes of Reminiscence’ are a public art work. Of the 29 seashores near the city the preferred is Playa el Sablón as a result of it’s tranquil and reached by the Paseo San Pedro stroll, a scenic 800 metres lengthy. Nevertheless, probably the most curious seashores are Cobijeru and Gulpiyuri, which face inland and have been created by water and sand speeding by way of gaps within the cliff. One other seashore, Poo, is probably the most giggle-inducing however lovely regardless of the title and pronounced ‘Poe’ in Spanish. Elaborate colonial mansions encompass Llanes that have been constructed by emigres coming back from Latin America bringing with them wealth from exports and a cosmopolitan type termed ‘Indian structure’. Artisan cheese from ‘queserías’ and cider homes known as ‘sidrerías’ are among the many gastronomic specialities. spain.information/en/vacation spot/llanes/

Lugo is greatest recognized for its metropolis partitions – the complete perimeter round what was the Roman city of Lucus Augusti stay intact making them the best instance of late Roman fortifications in western Europe. Guests can encircle the city on the two.3km walkway alongside the highest of the partitions. Lugo can also be one of many most important stopping off factors alongside the Camino Primitivo, the oldest Camino de Santiago route, and is legendary for its cathedral, Praza de Santa Maria. The twelfth century Romanesque constructing has advanced over time to include parts of Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical types. spain.information/en/vacation spot/lugo/

La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Pure Park, Girona Pyrenees, Catalonia

This distinctive area in far north-eastern Catalonia was created by dramatic volcanic ructions, and a few 40 cones and greater than 20 lava flows are nonetheless evident within the pure park. Because of the fertile volcanic soil and local weather it’s a pure wonderland, a lot forested and scattered with historic villages. turismegarrotxa.com

Video of La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Pure Park filmed by Richard Hammond and produced by Inexperienced Traveller productions for DestiMED PLUS

Val d’Aran Biosphere Vacation spot, Val d’Aran, Catalonia

The spectacular Pyrenean landscapes, dominated by mountains, forests, lakes and the Garona River are the primary scenic sights of this long-isolated highland valley, and key the reason why it grew to become the primary mountain vacationer vacation spot to obtain UNESCO Biosphere Accountable Tourism Certification. spain.information/en/nature/biosphere-reserve-val-aran

Romanesque church buildings of the Boí Valley, Lleida Pyrenees, Catalonia

The eight Romanesque church buildings and hermitage retreat of the Boí Valley are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Website. They have been constructed in the course of the Eleventh and twelfth Century, primarily based on an architectural type imported from northern Italy of iconic slim bell-towers and rounded arcading and pilaster strips. centreromanic.com

Castillo de La Calahorra, Las Alpujarras, Granada

Searching for all of the world like a large sandcastle looming over the plains east of Granada, the mighty fortress at La Calahorra is arguably probably the most uncommon and dramatic fort in Spain. Its 4 bulbous nook towers and excessive, large outer partitions enclose a sublime Italian Renaissance inside, constructed between 1509 and 1512 for nobleman Rodrigo de Vivar y Mendoza on the positioning of a a lot older Moorish bastion. As we speak it’s privately owned and solely out there to go to on Wednesdays (normally 10am-1pm and 5-7pm or by appointment with caretaker Antonio Trivaldo, +34 958 67 70 98). It’s been used as a movie set greater than as soon as – you might need noticed it throughout a surreal scene within the Spice Women’ film! La Calahorra is on the backside (northern) finish of the highway main down from the Puerto de la Ragua, the primary cross over the Sierra Nevada. portal.dipgra.es

Guadix, Las Alpujarras, Granada

Now well-known for its (nonetheless inhabited) troglodyte dwellings, Guadix was already previous when the Romans settled right here on the city they known as Acci – certainly, Hadrian apparently marvelled on the antiquity of Guadix – earlier than the Moors established their very own city of Wadi-Ash (‘River of Life’). About 1000 individuals nonetheless reside in caves, and a go to to one of many cave museums supplies fascinating insights into subterranean life. The Eleventh-century Islamic Alcazaba (fort, accessed from Calle Barradas) affords views over the cave quarter of town, and the Sixteenth-century sandstone baroque-Renaissance cathedral can also be price exploring. spain.information/en/vacation spot/guadix

Es Caló de Sant Agustí, Formentera

A standard fishing village to the east of the island’s north coast, Es Caló’s picturesque pure harbour is lined with easy picket boathouses designed to guard the locals’ small vessels from the salt water. Probably the greatest locations on the island to see these conventional dry docks (with their distinctive matchstick-style picket ramps and roofs they have been declared an official web site of cultural curiosity since 2002), the village can also be an amazing place for a post-swim lunch or dinner, with a number of eating places to select from. To the west are the sandy coves of Ses Platgetes and, to the east, the cliffs of La Mola, reachable on foot by way of inexperienced route 25, which follows a historic path to La Mola lighthouse generally known as the Camí de Sa Pujada. formentera.es/en/discover/villages

Estany Pudent y Ses Salines, Formentera

A big lake within 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 typically be noticed from the Es Brolls strolling and cycle path, which fringes the lagoon, as can a number of species of waders, geese and herons. It’s additionally dwelling to one of many largest concentrations of black-necked grebes in Europe; typically they flock right here of their hundreds. Close by are the salt flats of Ses Salines, which flush pink and violet in the summertime. In use for hundreds of years, their significance within the island’s lengthy historical past of salt manufacturing noticed them declared a monument of historic cultural curiosity in 2004. See additionally our part on birdwatching in Formentera in Actions in Formentera.

A pioneering ecology centre “within the inexperienced coronary heart of Ibiza’s lovely countryside”. Based by Chris Dews in 1993, it is as a lot a showcase and academic hub for inexperienced dwelling as it’s a customer centre, with an indication treehouse, wagon-style tiny home and a lot of green-living areas and communcal areas. Excursions run every Sunday, from the start of October till the tip of Could, throughout which you may be taught concerning the utility and rules of Permaculture strategies, using renewable vitality, the gathering, accountable consumption and reuse of water, in addition to the reuse and recycling of waste supplies.

It has now opened a second web site in Granada, and has additionally produced a useful on-line information to inexperienced Ibiza, itemizing a variety of environmental companies, organisations and services throughout the island, from lodging and customer sights to recycling centres and ecological shops. casitaverde.com

The car-free historic city of Valldemossa (whose weekly market is on Sundays) is excessive up inside the World Heritage Tramuntana mountain vary within the west of the island, simply inland from the coast. Anticipate cobbled streets amid spectacular mountain views, surrounded by lush forests, olive and almond timber. It is dwelling to La Cartuja – an historic Carthusian Monastery that was as soon as the residence of Jaime II, and housed monks from 1399 to 1835, in addition to two well-known guests the polish composer Frederic Chopin and French author George Sand whose writings and correspondence are stored right here. It is also dwelling to the Costa Nord cultural centre, which hosts live shows and exhibitions. mallorca.es/en/-/valldemossa

Garajonay Nationwide Park, La Gomera, Canary Islands

Sixty minutes by boat from the west of Tenerife (additionally reachable by airplane from Tenerife and Gran Canaria), La Gomera appears like one million miles away from the packed resorts of its bigger neighbours. The whole island is a biosphere reserve, masking an space of simply over 370 sq. kilometres, and is outlined by a volcanic inside criss-crossed by mountaineering trails. The traditional inexperienced laurel forests of Garajonay Nationwide Park, within the centre and north of the island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Website recognized for its intense inexperienced forests, big rocky outcrops, and over a thousand endemic species, together with large lizards, skinks, tree frogs and pigeons (Laurel advert Bolle’s). The customer centre is at Juego de Bolas within the north of the land, and there’s lodging simply outdoors the park’s boundary – for extra info see lagomera.journey.

Transvulcania Ultramarathon, La Palma, Canary Islands

The World Heritage Biosphere island of La Palma is probably the most northwesterly of the Canary Islands. In Could it hosts a ‘Trasvulcania marathon’ the place runners comply with trails throughout the island’s spectacular volcanic panorama. The primary route follows the Ruta del Baston after which over the Caldera de Taburiente Nationwide Park because it ascends to the Roque de los Muchachos. There are a number of choices: a full extremely marathon (simply over 73km from the Fuencaliente Lighthouse to Los Llannos de Aridane), a half marathon, a regular marathon and the Vertical KM, which is a 7-kilometre climb up from Puerto de Tazacorte seashore (in the wrong way of the extremely marathon’s course) as much as the point of view 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 opposite islands but in addition has its personal worldwide airport with direct flights from a number of Spanish cities (together with Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona) and several other European cities, together with Berlin, London, Zürich and Amsterdam.

El Hierro, Canary Islands

El Hierro is probably the most westerly, southerly and least populated of the Canary Islands that is each a World Heritage Reserve and a Geopark. It is recognized for its inexperienced dense forests, rocky cliffs and pure swimming pools in addition to being a logo of sustainability due to its coverage of utilizing renewable vitality – it attracts on each wind and hydro-electric vitality to fulfill the entire island’s demand for electrical energy. The island’s tourism authorities are additionally on a mission to encourage low impression actions, similar to ecotourism, mountaineering and birdwatching, to cut back the impression of tourism on the island’s setting. The island is reachable by boat, a 2-3 hour journey from the south of Tenerife, or by airplane 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 totally marine nationwide park. The realm is already famend for its biodiversity and underwater volcanic landscapes and is ready to turn into the nation’s seventeenth nationwide park. The park’s designation will make sure the preservation of distinctive volcanic reefs, caves, and deep-sea habitats that assist numerous species, together with sperm whales and whale sharks. elhierro.journey