A map of Spain’s most beautiful provinces

How challenging yet beautiful it can be traversing the provinces of Spain in search of those places that in some way stand out from the rest. Whether it be scenic diversity or the undiscovered monumental treasures or the history shaping its places, travelling around Spain is always an exhilarating journey. Spain, being such a vibrant and diverse country, makes creating a list of what places to highlight over others a most challenging task. But let’s give it a go.

Traversing Spain province by province

Lugo (Galicia)

The four provinces that make up Galicia, (Coruña, Pontevedra, Ourense and Lugo) are unbeatable destinations in almost every way. Its landscapes, culture, history and cuisine could win any battle. But if that battle were among only those four, Lugo just might win out.

Its scenic diversity is astonishing. Well-known is A Mariña Lucense. This area boasts the Playa de las Catedrales (Cathedral beach), perhaps Spain’s most breathtaking natural monument, and lovely historic villages like Ribadeo. Following the coast, the Punta de Fuciño do Porco has a hiking trail that should not be missed. And the hiking trails proliferate into the mountains inland. Or the luxuriant forests of magical beauty where Galician mythology truly comes to life. Some of these trails end at waterfalls like the ones at Augacaída, true wonders of nature.

On the Galician side of the Ancares mountains, there are hidden places that time seems to have forgotten like Piornedo and its primordial pallozas (traditional Galician dwellings). The province’s capital, Lugo, has a rich history. The old Roman city wall, being so well maintained, has earned the distinction of being the best conserved such one in the world. This province possesses Spain’s oldest cathedral, the Basílica de San Martiño de Mondoñedo, (Saint Martin of Mondoñedo’s basilica). And villages such as O Cebreiro or Portomarín, both of which conjure bygone days.

If the preceding were not enough, part of the Ribeira Sacra, (Holy Riverbank), nearly forgotten sacred lands, lies within the confines of Lugo province. Its spectacular scenery of age-old terraced slopes, where wine making is akin to an act of heroism, and flowing waters of the river Miño take the traveller on an unforgettable journey.

Burgos (Castile y Leon)

Among all the provinces of Castile and Leon, amid fields, mountains and historic monuments, the serenity of Burgos province is noteworthy. The capital city of Burgos, boasting Spain’s only cathedral to be designated a World Heritage Site, is a fantastic starting point.

And Burgos has it all. The fields of Castile and the greenery of the north. Here, the traveler will find such regions as the Merindades, where quaint villages like Puentedey or Frías are located. That last village, in fact, bears the title of city, making it officially the smallest city in Spain. This region has such magnificent landscapes as the Ebro river canyons and Spain’s highest waterfall, the Salto del Nervión (Nervión falls), a mere 270 meters tall. More highlights include Spain’s largest karst formations at Ojo Guareña, an intricate underground network of caves and streams stretching for more than a hundred kilometers. Still want more?

Then a visit to the lovely village of Orbaneja del Castillo, divided by a picturesque waterfall, or perhaps the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos (Saint Dominic of Silos), a perfect introduction to all the monuments in Burgos province. There is also the Parque Natural Lagunas Glaciares de Neila  (Neila Glacial Lakes Nature Park) and the Pozo Azul, a water spring whose cavernous subterrenean limits are not yet known. Or the   archeaological site where the fossilized human remains as old as 900,000 years have redefined history. All of this is in Burgos.

Huesca (Aragon)

Spain’s sixth largest province has become increasingly popular in recent years. And there is no wonder why. Huesca province has the most spectacular mountains on the peninsula with its time-forgotten valleys, astounding natural and artistic sites, and villages of exceptional beauty such as Aínsa.

A good starting point for a tour through this province may be Huesca’s jewel in the crown, the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido, (Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park), located in the Sobrarbe region. The Pyrenean way of life reveals itself in the villages of Bielsa, Broto and Torla-Ordesa. The snow-covered winter landscapes and lush greens of summer in places like Tena along the French border or the glacial Pineta. The reddish colored cliff faces of the Mallos (Crags) of Riglos, the aquamarine Lanuza reservoir, the ashen brown churches at Serrablo as well as the so-called Chinese Wall of Finestras, a rocky formation that unfurls like a fortification for half a kilometer.

Miguel de Unamuno once described the monastery of San Juan de la Peña as “the gateway to a world of spiritual crags clad in sylvan legend”. Surely, many other things have been said about the Balneario de Panticosa (Panticosa spa) by those seeking out its tranquility and small mountain lakes. History to be discovered at Canfranc train station, Castillo de Loarre (Loarre castle) and towns like Jaca where Spain’s only star-shaped fortress has been fully conserved. Huesca is undoubtedly spectacular.

Girona (Catalonia)

Girona is unquestionably one of the more outstanding Spanish provinces. Mountain lovers will certainly feel happy in places like the Valle de Camprodón (Camprodón valley) or the Valle de Núria (Núria valley). Curiously, the latter is only accessible by funicular railway or on foot. The isolation of this place makes this one of most serene and silent in Spain.

Girona province also contains the best conserved volcanic landscapes on the penisula with over fifteen thousand hectares surrounding the Volcanes de la Garrotxa (Garrotxa volcanoes). From this volcanic activity sprang the Hayedo de Jordà (Jordá beech forest), grown on the lava flow from the nearby Croscat volcano, and today, a richly colorful landscape. Around this volcanic park lie the villages Beget, Besalú and the striking Castellfollit de la Roca, all of which easily explain why Girona is considered one of Spain’s best spots to enjoy the charm of its medieval villages. Monells and Pals toward the coast will leave anyone speechless.

Moving on to Girona’s very own Costa Brava (Brava coast). Not only offering the most beautiful and well-kept beaches and coves in Spain, like the Cala de Aiguablava (Aiguablava cove), it also possesses the charming villages of Cadaqués, Begur and Tossa de Mar, with its remarkable, eye-catching twelfth century castle. The mountains and sea of this area   provide endless postcard opportunities.

Caceres (Extremadura)

Cáceres province is Spain’s second largest and that means there is a lot of scenery to be viewed here. Before starting, perhaps a few of its localities should be highlighted. The city of Cáceres, one of Spain’s most splendid, has an indelible old quarter. Another is the Real Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (The Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe), a World Heritage site since 1993, in Guadalupe. Trevejo, one of Spain’s quaintest hamlets, and Cuacos de Yuste, in whose monastery Spain’s most important emperor spent his retirement are also noteworthy.

It is the blossoming flowers every spring in the Valle del Jerte (Jerte valley) that brings thousands of visitors to this area of Caceres province. In the northwest of the province lie the Sierra de Gata, where mountains, valleys and natural pools vie for travellers’ attention. In the Hurdes region one can find such unique landscapes as the river bends of Malvellido or the cascades of Chorrituelo de Ovejuela.

The Parque Nacional de Monfragüe (Montfragüe National Park) is an alluring land and one of Spain’s most interesting bird sanctuaries. In the Vera region, water takes center stage, especially its gorges of crystal-clear water flowing from the Tormantos and Gredos mountain ranges. A nice way to finish exploring this breathtaking province would be a visit to the Convento del Palancar (Palancar convent), the smallest monastery in the world.

Malaga (Andalusia)

The 160 kilometer stretch of beaches along Malaga’s Costa del Sol (Sun coast) is considered by many to be Spain’s pride and joy. The Artola and Real Zaragoza coastal sand dunes on the beaches of Cabopino and Las Chapas is certainly one reason. Another is the smaller beaches of Maro, Burriana or Bil-Bil, the last of these having a Moorish style castle of the same name. The cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo offer an unique vantage point overlooking the sea.

While Malaga province inland may be less explored by tourists, in some ways it holds more surprises. In addition to the Caminito del Rey (The King’s trail), a nearly eight kilometer long suspension walkway fashioned onto the rock walls of the Gaitanes gorge, this province is full of astounding natural settings. One such example is the Cueva del Tesoro  (Treasure cave), the only cave of underwater origins known in Europe. Another notable example is the Buitreras canyon nestled in the Ronda mountain range, which leads us to yet another must-see spot in Malaga province.

Ronda, that city the Bohemian poet Rainer Maria Rilke once called the city dreamed  after a months-long journey trying to reach it. Apart from the Costa del Sol (o Sun coast), Malaga is an area dominated by mountains. The Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves (Snow Mountain Natural Park), also in the Ronda mountain range, the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama or the Parque Natural Montes de Málaga  (Malaga Mounts Natural Park) are only a few of the idyllic outdoor spaces mountain lovers so much appreciate.

Malaga has the sea, mountains and time-forgotten villages. A place of ease and peace of mind. To get a feel for that, few places are more welcoming than Comares, Genalguacil or El Acebuchal.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the most diverse provinces in Spain for one simple reason. It is made up of four islands all of which are quite distinct from one other. Tenerife, the largest of the archipelago, is well-known for its 3,715 meter tall volcano at Parque Nacional del Teide (Teide National Park). An eye-catcher for sure, but far from the only one. There is also Parque Rural de Anaga, (Anaga Rural Park), with its hideaway spots such as Benijo beach or the village of Taganana. San Cristóbal de la Laguna, the only World Heritage city of the Canary islands, and Masca, a beauty nestled on the Teno massif, are just a fewplaces deserving a visit.

They say that the night sky is unlike any other on earth at Observatorio Astronómico del Roque de los Muchachos (Roque de los Muchachos Astronomical Observatory) in La Palma, The village of Porís de Candelaria, tucked into rocky cliffs and at the mercy of Atlantic waves offers an unforgettable image. The laurel forest of Los Tilos and Echentive beach, formed in 1971 after the eruption of Teneguía volcano as well as  Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente (Caldera of Taburiente  National Park) all offer very enjoyable landscapes.

La Gomera and El Hierro may be small, but they offer a lot. Parque Nacional de Garajonay always surprises with its postcard-perfect scenes in places like Hermigua or Playa del Inglés beach. This island is natural, wild and authentic. El Hierro is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. Its diversity ranges from enclaves like Tamaduste to the crystal clear waters of Charco de los Sargos to the lighthouse of Orchilla, the most westerly point in Spain. Among volcanoes, mountains, beaches and dream-like villages, Santa Cruz de Tenerife province is clearly one of Spain’s most beautiful.