The Traveller's Magazine
The Spanish people have voted and chosen their own set of 7 Natural Wonders and what can we say, bloody good job! Like we need any more reasons to book tickets to Spain. We’ve just added these seven spots to our summer Spanish itinerary, what about you?
Allianz Global Assistance organised the vote to choose the best “7 Natural Wonders of Spain” from among 20 natural areas in the country. 80,000 votes and 5,000 tweets later, these are the winners of Spain’s Natural Wonders competition. Do you agree with the choices?
Gaztelugatxe
This little islet on the bay of Biscay in Spain’s Basque country is incredible, connected to the mainland by a man-made bridge. On the top of the little island-mountain is a hermitage, dedicated to John the Baptists, that was built in the 10th century. The name gaztelugatxe means “crag of the castle.” Best time to visit? Spring and autumn.
Somiedo Natural Park
Also located in the north of Spain is Somiedo Natural Park, near the Cantabrian Mountains. The parks lakes have been designated natural monuments and the entire park area is a designated UNESCO Biosphere reserve. The region is known for its traditional farming techniques, particularly of livestock, which sees animals herded to higher pastures for summer grazing.
Cabo de Gata Natural Park
Cabo de Gata is the largest protected coastal area in Andalusia. The park has plenty on offer both on land and at sea including sites like “El Arrecife de la Sirenas,” “La Punta de los Muertos” and “La Isleta del Moro,” which all seem to have been taken from an R. L. Stevenson novel!
Las Médulas
Located in the province of Leon, this spectacular reddish landscape is the result of Roman ingenuity and their eagerness to find gold. Las Médulas are a former open-pit gold mine, the largest in the Roman Empire and exploited for 250 years. It’s a fine example of how Romans used to mine for gold by undermining mountains will large quantities of water using aqueducts.
Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park
This natural park is one of the best places to go swimming in Spain away from the sea coast, located in the province of Ciudad Real and Albacete. Apart from a cool dip in the lake, it’s a great place to go if you love the work of Cervantes. You can spend the night in the Cave of Montesinos, just like Don Quixote did!
Fuente Dé
High up in the Picos de Europa is Fuente Dé, in the Asturias and Cantabria regions of northern Spain. On top of all the walking and hiking routes available, you have to try going up to the top with the famous cable car that takes you up 750 metres to the lookout point over the valley. The view is just spectacular.
Cathedral Beach
Also known as As Catedrais beach or “Beach of the Holy Waters.” Whatever you call this place in the Ribadeo municipality on the Cantabria coast, it’s a gorgeous spot to visit in summer. The coast’s natural arches and caves can only be seen in their true splendour in low tide. During high tide the beach appears quite small but is safe for swimming. Huge caves collapse in every year due to erosion and waves and the 30m tall arches will astound.
