When deciding on getaway or vacation destinations, many choose foreign cities and towns. And although this is not a bad idea (the world is full of interesting places to discover), the truth is that within our borders we can find corners that have nothing to envy other countries: beautiful national parks, charming towns, attractive museums, interesting cities, islands worth discovering …
One of the best things about our country is that it hides a great variety of landscapes: high mountains, green mountains, cultivated plains, beaches and coves, rivers, lakes, deserts … Therefore, it is not surprising that four enclaves in Spain have been included in the ranking of the 100 best green destinations in the world in 2016. We refer to the Top 100 Sustainable Destination , a list prepared by Green Destination taking into account authenticity, biodiversity, nature, cultural values, community and working with local operators, among other aspects. Do you want to discover the four green destinations in Spain that have been selected? Well join us!
Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands, Galicia
One of the green destinations in Spain that Green Destination has included in the list is the Maritime-Terrestrial National Park of the Atlantic Islands, which groups four groups of Galician islands (Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada), offering wonderful landscapes formed by valleys , cliffs, beaches, spas, springs, charming towns and cities. It is a popular tourist destination, so the park administration is actively working to balance visitor satisfaction and protecting nature through sustainable tourism practices.
Baiona, Pontevedra
Also in Galicia we find Baiona, a municipality that has two natural and marine protected areas (they are part of the Natura 2000 network). As indicated by Top 100 Sustainable, Baiona is showing a great commitment to quality tourism, in addition to supporting actively local tourism businesses. In addition, it is important to note that four of its beaches have been declared smoke-free zones. As if that were not enough, the sandy areas are adapted for people with reduced mobility, and a sailing school for the physically and mentally disabled has been founded.
Noja, Cantabria
Although we change autonomous community, we are still in the north of Spain. And it is that another of the green destinations chosen is Noja, which is located in Cantabria. It is a city that promotes active and natural tourism and also houses an extensive protected area (75% of its surface). Its humid areas stand out, which are among the most important in Spain. On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that Noja offers good opportunities for bird watching, proposing different guided and signposted routes. In addition, we want to comment that the beaches of Noja have the Blue Flag, among other things for the excellent quality of the water.
Terres de l’Ebre, Tarragona
Finally, we have to talk about Terres de l’Ebre (Land of the Ebro), a territory that surrounds the Ebro river in the southern part of Catalonia. As stated on the Top 100 Sustainable website, 35% of the surface is protected by Natura 2000. In addition, the region has been recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO . On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that, beyond the protection provided by official bodies, sustainability projects are being carried out in this area of Spain, some of which have the objective of developing tourism compatible with nature conservation.