One Of Europe's Most Surreal National Parks Is Home To A Towering Volcano, Lava-Sculpted Trails, And Glacial Peaks

There are seemingly endless beautiful islands in Spain, making it difficult to choose which one to visit. With pristine beaches and dramatic landscapes, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands, an archipelago located off Northwest Africa. If you do venture here, Tenerife's Teide National Park is one place you can't miss. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teide National Park is an epic destination with scenery that's dominated by the impressive Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano. This is the highest peak in Spain, standing 10,427 feet, and is the third-highest volcanic structure in the world. The park is also one of the largest attractions in Tenerife, drawing in 3 to 4 million visitors each year.

You can experience Teide National Park's otherworldly vistas on several hikes within this protected preserve. One of the best short trails to do is Roques de García. Featuring unique, bizarrely shaped rock formations, this hike is a 2.1-mile loop. Visitors can also stroll through volcanic landscapes on the Arenas Negras Trail, admiring stunning views of the volcano from the Narices del Teide viewpoint. Adventurous visitors can summit Teide itself by trekking the Telesforo Bravo Trail, starting at the La Rambleta cable car station. A free permit with a timed entry slot is required for this trail and you'll need to bring your passport for permit checks at the trailhead. Visitors should keep in mind that this is one of the most difficult trails in the park with steep inclines and exposure. Teide National Park is also one of the best stargazing destinations in the Northern Hemisphere. More than 80 constellations are visible on a clear night, sparkling in the night sky. There are numerous stargazing tour options available or you can take a tour of the Teide Observatory.

Teide National Park is located on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands and a magical place that also offers high mountain villages and urban black sand beaches, like Playa Jardin. Tenerife Sur Airport is the largest airport on the island, with convenient connections across Europe and beyond. While it's easiest to drive to Teide National Park, the local TITSA bus network does run between the park and nearby cities. Parking is free, but spaces do fill up and you may need to wait for a spot to become available. Taking the cable car up is one of the best ways to get jaw-dropping views of the volcano and lunar landscapes. It's recommended that you book your cable car tickets online at least one day in advance. 

There is only one hotel in the national park, Parador de las Cañadas del Teide, which is located 6,562 feet above sea level. The three-star property has comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and an onsite restaurant. Tenerife is a top destination year-round and one of the best European destinations to visit in December. Keep in mind that the roads to Teide National Park may be closed in the winter due to snow.