Natural Spaces

Extremadura is home to three natural spaces named by UNESCO with the designation of Biosphere Reserve: Monfragüe National Park, the International Tagus Natural Park and La Siberia. In addition to these three national sites, the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global Geopark is another area of great importance in the region thanks to its extraordinary geological heritage.

There is also the Cornalvo Natural Park which is home to the oldest and best conserved Roman reservoir in all of Europe. There are also numerous natural reserves and monuments, protected landscapes, ecological and biodiversity corridors, special protection areas for birds and a long list of protected natural spaces. Among them are the impressive Garganta de los Infiernos Natural Reserve in the Jerte Valley, the natural monument of Los Barruecos in Malpartida de Cáceres and the protected landscape of Monte Valcorchero in Plasencia.

But without a doubt one of the symbols of our natural heritage is the dehesa. A forest of holm oak, cork oak and other trees that make for an ecological paradise of close to one million hectares and one of the best conserved ecosystems in Europe.

You’ll also find natural pools and gorges in dreamlike landscapes and two blue flag beaches in Orellana and Cheles. The region has more than 50 natural bathing areas and 1,500km of inland shoreline, which is unique in western Europe.

Extremadura offers you a wide range of active tourism activities in different areas of the region. Come and enjoy the greenways and walking routes, discover the landscape on your mountain bike or paraglide over the dehesa. Try water sports on our reservoirs and take in a sunset on horseback along one of the many routes.

If you have an interest in birdwatching as well as being a nature lover, you're in luck because Extremadura's strategic location makes it a first-rate ornithological destination thanks to the large number of habitats and its location on the migratory routes of many birds, meaning you can observe over 340 species over the course of the year. In fact, over 75% of the territory of Extremadura has been included in the inventory of important areas for birds in Spain.

And when night falls, there are few places on the planet with a skyscape like Extremadura's. The absence of light pollution, good climate and high number of cloudless days and the good accessibility make the region a paradise for aficionado astronomers and those curious about stargazing and discovering the wonders of the sky.