The 8 most beautiful sights and natural wonders in Spain

Where: Lanzarote

Timanfaya is different from those natural parks where you can't tell exactly where they start and where they end. An expanse of dark, rugged terrain with no vegetation, the singular landscape here has an almost extraterrestrial look and feel. This is the magic that was uncovered after the area’s volcanoes erupted in the late nineteenth century, spewing lava and devastating Lanzarote for several days. Timanfaya was born out of that event, creating the island's only national geological park and a true natural wonder. The temperature is a sizzling 400ºC just four metres below ground – and park staff are on hand to demonstrate the speed at which water evaporates when poured into a hole.

Where: Basque Country

The Basque Country is gorgeous, from Irún to Getxo. It’s a region characterised by its greenery, miles of sandy beaches, spectacular cuisine and some pretty epic sights. See for yourself in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a small island connected to the mainland by a 241-step zigzag path and crowned by an eleventh-century stone castle (the literal translation of ‘Gaztelugatxe’ is ‘stone castle’). And when we say ‘epic’, we're not exaggerating: San Juan de Gaztelugatxe played the role of the fortress of Dragonstone in the seventh season of Game of Thrones.

Where: Huelva

Doñana National Park is a 68,236-hectare space created 50 years ago and later declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. It's a preserve of ever-changing land and untamed vegetation – dunes, marshes, beaches – where you can discover local fauna in its native habitat. Above all, it's a haven for birds, who stop here before migrating to warmer lands. On its outskirts, you’ll find picturesque hamlets like Almonte, which fills up in June with believers making the pilgrimage to the El Rocío hermitage. The organised routes allow you to get to the most important settlements in Doñana, though you can also explore them on your own. 

Where: Mallorca

Yet another World Heritage Site, crowned as such in 2011, is Serra de Tramuntana. This vast, mountainous area of Mallorca stretches from the island of Sa Dragonera to the cape of Formentor, boasting dramatic sunsets, formidable cliffs and heaps of history. The region has historically drawn artists and writers: British poet Robert Graves lived here (in Deià); Serra de Tramuntana also inspired the likes of Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, Spanish painter Santiago Rusiñol and Catalan painter Anglada Camarasa. Our tip? Take the tram from Puerto de Sóller, get off at Cala Deià and visit the Cartuja de Valldemossa, to devour crispy ‘coca’ bread with potato.

Where: Soria

The whole region of Soria is a natural wonderland, but the Laguna Negra – which you can get to by car or bus from the town of Vinuesa – has to be one of its most beautiful spots. Its name translates literally to ‘Black Lagoon’, and legend says that the body of water is bottomless, linking with the sea through a series of caves. The lagoon is flanked by rock walls, formed by ice that has eroded over thousands and thousands of years, and the surrounding forests are perfect for hiking. Visit in spring or autumn, taking in the seasonal splendour of the lagoon by walking the wooden pathways along the shore.

Where: Catalonia

Montserrat is the most iconic mountain in Catalonia. Depending on your point of observation, its beauty is constantly changing, guaranteeing an incredible sight from all angles. The best way to admire this mountain range is to hike to the top, where you can see the peculiar rocks of Cavall Bernat. Full of trails and routes, Montserrat is a dream for hikers and climbers. It's also a spiritual destination, receiving believers and pilgrims from all over the world (you can queue to visit the ‘Moreneta’, the Black Madonna statue). For others, it's a symbol of all things Catalan and of resistance. Some even believe the mountain has magic or supernatural powers: ufologists head up to Montserrat on the eleventh of every month to see if they can spot any UFOs. 

Where: Asturias

If you go to Asturias, save at least a day to visit the Picos de Europa mountain range. With every step on a hike here, you'll encounter amazing landscapes: mountain peaks in impossible shapes, stony paths, sparkling rivers, tranquil meadows, wild animals and more. Of all the things to see in the Picos, we recommend you stop by the Covadonga Lakes; visit the picturesque village of Bulnes, which you can reach on foot or by funicular; and take the Fuente Dé cable car (proceed with caution if you’re scared of heights).

Where: Navarre

There's no need to go as far as the Mojave Desert or suffer from the heat in Death Valley. At the Bardenas Reales, you can find natural forms as curious as those in Cappadocia, and a feeling of solitude like you might find in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. A terrain of clay, gypsum and sandstone has been sculpted by water and wind erosion to form sinuous ravines, plateaus with a tubular structure straight out of Western films, and the mysterious pointed hill called ‘Castildetierra’. Trust us on this: visiting the Bardenas Reales is like taking a trip to another planet.