5 Must Visit National Parks in Europe

Where to go next: Here are a five top national parks in Europe to put on your bucket list, to get away from the crowds and enjoy some spectacular scenery.

best national parks in europe — Triglav National Park, Slovemia

Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Despite being the only national park in Slovenia, it’s highly popular among nature lovers since it preserves 3% of the country’s land, including the Triglav Mountain and most of the Julian Alps.

There are various routes to the top – from easy walks to strenuous paths only for the seriously fit – all of which reward your effort with great views.

The hiking trails around the park are also a good way to appreciate the other beautiful areas of the park, such as Lake Bohinj and the Kozjak waterfall.

Water sports like kayaking and rafting in the rivers are popular during the summer.

best national parks to vsit in europe — peakdistrict.gov.uk image

Peak District, UK

The Peak District was established in 1951, making it the first national park in the UK.

One-third of the park is protected for nature conservation, and the varying landscapes have made it one of the most scenic parks in the country, with some 555 square miles of rolling hills, caverns, limestone dales, and gritstone edges.

In addition to the usual hiking and cycling activities, the Peak District also has “Dark Sky Places” designation, and is popular for dog walks.

With light pollution in many parts of the UK making it nearly impossible to see the night skies in their full glory, these “Dark Sky Places” are just a few locations in the country to truly see the stars.

best national parks in europe to visit — Ordesa National Park, Spain

Ordesa National Park, Spain

Also called Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, this magnificent destination is located along the border of Spain and France — the French side of the park being called the Pyrenees National Park.

According to the Global Alliance of National Parks, the Ordesa National Park was the first national park established in Spain and is one of the first national parks in the entire world.

The main sights here are the Monte Perdido Range and the Ordesa Valley.

Those who love adventure have three trail options they can choose from depending on their hiking ability and time.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is different from other national parks in Europe, including in Italy.

This national park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which showcases the colorful coastline of Italy.

The five towns that make up the Cinque Terre have only become popular with tourists since the 1960s, and are unique since they can be reached only by boat.

You can cool off in the beaches, walk along the cliffs and between the towns, and just appreciate the Old World charm.

Peneda Geres, Portugal

This is the only national park in Portugal, catering to both nature and history lovers.

It’s famous for its wild Garrano ponies that have been in the region since the first millennium BCE. There are also domesticated ponies that can take you across the park’s countryside to see the granite cliffs, forests, and bogs.

For history lovers, there’s the Laboreiro Castle, the Santa Maria dos Pitoes monastery, megalithic tombs, and a Roman road.

For everyone, there are shaded forest trains, including past murmuring brooks.

Travel Tips

Famous urban destinations including Paris, Rome, Berlin and London are always worth visiting.

But this year may be the time to go beyond towns and cities and get some fresh air and open space.

When planning the trip make sure you catch the right season to see the best of your destination.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.