- Hiking the Alpujarra de Granada: The ancient Moorish mountain villages south from Granada make for great town-to-town hiking on exposed rocky trails. The information center of the Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada in the village of Pampaneira is a good place to start.
- Cycling to L'Albufera: The marshlands south of Valencia’s port are best explored on two wheels, and there’s even a bike path much of the way. See the rice farmers toiling in the marshes, enjoy the almost deserted beaches, and stop for a great paella.
- Visiting the Illa de Cabrera Natural Reserve: Although Cabrera was a pirate base in the 13th and 14th centuries, now it is a Natural Reserve off Mallorca where you can see huge colonies of shearwaters and gulls as well as ospreys, falcons, and sea hawks.
- Surfing the Left-Hand Break in Mundaka: The long rolling barrel curl in Mundaka on the Basque Coast is famous with surfers around the world. It’s also one of the most reliable breaks in Europe. Plan on wearing a wetsuit; the Bay of Biscay can be frigid.
- Boating the Parque Doñana: One of Europe’s most important refuges for migratory birds, the Donaña marshes spread across the delta of the Río Guadalquivír as it reaches the Bahía de Cádiz. Naturalist-led boat tours leave daily from Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
- Walking the Fuente Dé Ridge: You’ll have to drive to the téleférico (cable car) station to ride up to a high ridge of Fuente Dé in the Picas de Europe. Walk the ridge, visit the cafe, and marvel at the mountains.
- Birding in Monfragüe: This national park of untouched woodland and majestic river gorges is a birdwatcher’s nirvana, home to many protected species, including the Spanish imperial eagle, azure-winged magpie, and Europe’s biggest population of black vultures.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
