Parque Natural de las Bárdenas Reales

Navarra

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Established as a natural park in 1999 and as a UN Biosphere Reserve in 2000, the Bárdenas Reales is a desiccated landscape of blank tabletop hills, open gravel plains and snakelike gorges covering over 410 sq km of southeastern Navarra. As well as spectacular scenery, the park plays host to numerous birds and animals, including the great bustard, golden eagles, Egyptian and griffon vultures, numerous reptiles, mountain cats and wild boar.

A visitor centre gives out information on park highlights.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Olite Castle.

    Palacio Real

    21.67 MILES

    Carlos III is to thank for the exceptional Palacio Real, which towers over the village. Back in Carlos’ day (early 15th century), the castle's inhabitants…

  • Catedral Santa María de la Huerta

    Catedral Santa María de la Huerta

    21.48 MILES

    Tarazona's magnificent, multi-styled cathedral dates back to the 13th century. Its French-Gothic origins are evident in the vaulting and arches of the…

  • Monasterio de Veruela

    Monasterio de Veruela

    26.65 MILES

    The beautiful 12th-century Cistercian monastery of Veruela stands in a bucolic corner of the countryside 14km south of Tarazona, with the Sierra del…

  • Casa Palacio de Sada

    Casa Palacio de Sada

    27.23 MILES

    Fernando II of Aragón was born in this building in 1452. It's an impressive mansion – more so now than back then, following a major expansion around 1600…

  • Museo de la Viña y el Vino de Navarra

    Museo de la Viña y el Vino de Navarra

    21.73 MILES

    This comprehensive museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through wine and wine culture. Over three floors, English signage and interactive…

  • Iglesia de San Martín

    Iglesia de San Martín

    24.18 MILES

    This Romanesque-cum-Gothic church contains a museum of colourful religious art from area churches, the highlight being San Martín's own gilded-wood mid…

  • Ayuntamiento

    Ayuntamiento

    21.4 MILES

    The town hall’s 16th-century facade is an astonishing storybook of sculpture. The larger carvings depict mythical beings (you’ll spot Hercules on the left…

  • Galerías Subterráneas

    Galerías Subterráneas

    21.66 MILES

    These underground galleries, whose origin and use remain something of a mystery, contain a small museum giving a taste of medieval life (in Spanish). With…

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Nearby Navarra attractions

1. Monasterio de la Oliva

13.7 MILES

The 11th-century Monasterio de la Oliva, 2km from Carcastillo, which is southeast of Olite, was founded by Cistercian monks and is still functioning as a…

2. Laguna de Pitillas

16.08 MILES

A protected Ramsar wetland site of international importance, the lakes and marshes that make up the Laguna de Pitillas provide a home for around 160…

3. Ayuntamiento

21.4 MILES

The town hall’s 16th-century facade is an astonishing storybook of sculpture. The larger carvings depict mythical beings (you’ll spot Hercules on the left…

4. Judería

21.45 MILES

Tarazona has one of Spain’s best preserved medieval Jewish quarters, in a tight web of streets around Calle Judería, Rúa Alta de Bécquer and Rúa Baja de…

5. Palacio Episcopal

21.48 MILES

On the site of a Muslim citadel and, subsequently, the residence of several Aragonese kings, the imposing Bishop's Palace was completed in the mid-16th…

6. Catedral Santa María de la Huerta

21.48 MILES

Tarazona's magnificent, multi-styled cathedral dates back to the 13th century. Its French-Gothic origins are evident in the vaulting and arches of the…

7. Iglesia de la Magdalena

21.49 MILES

Although dwarfed in size and importance by the cathedral, the Magdalena, with its emblematic Mudéjar tower, is Tarazona’s most distinctive and oldest…

8. Galerías Subterráneas

21.66 MILES

These underground galleries, whose origin and use remain something of a mystery, contain a small museum giving a taste of medieval life (in Spanish). With…