Visiting The Lakes Of Spainvisiting The Lakes Of Spain

We adore our home in the Costa Blanca with its wonderful weather, beautiful beaches and lively lifestyle but, once in a while it’s nice to visit somewhere less crowded, cooler and calmer. If you feel like you need a complete change why not take a trip to visit the Spanish lakes. Some of the lakes are closer than you might imagine which is ideal for a quick getaway but, for a longer holidays you can head north to Cantabria or south to Malaga.

Lakes close to our Costa Blanca Home

You can find some of the most beautiful lakes in Spain just a short drive north of the Costa Blanca where you can relax and enjoy the countryside or go walking and fishing then enjoy a picnic by the water. The lakes have variety of activities available and the towns surrounding them are pretty and lovely to explore.

Lake Albufera is located just to the south of Valencia so a very short drive will get you to your destination and you can begin to relax at one of Spain’s largest natural lagoons and is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by just a strip of sand. Here you can witness some of the prettiest sunsets and enjoy boat rides in the calm clear waters. The area is surrounded by paddy fields and the production of rice is what led to the creation here of the popular dish Paella. There are signposted walking routes and 300 species of birds to spot in addition to enjoying traditional Valencian menus at the restaurants in nearby towns which include El Palmar.

A little further north in the heart of Catalonia is Lake Banyoles surrounded by plants and trees this pleasant area of greenery is popular for swimming and kayaking. The town of Banyoles itself is very pleasant with charming shops and restaurants. Nearer to Alicante is the small lake of San Juan with its peaceful atmosphere it is a great place to fish or just for enjoying a leisurely walk and a picnic.

Travelling to the North from our Costa Blanca home

If you want to get further afield a tour towards Cantabria, about a 10-hour drive from the Costa Blanca, will take you to the Lakes of Covadonga located in the Asturias region of Spain. There are two main lakes here; Enol and Ercina both were formed by glacielrs during the Ice Age and are surrounded by forests, mountains and waterfalls. Lake Enol is larger and known for the way it reflects the mountains around it but, if you are looking for something more secluded, then Lake Ercina won’t disappoint. There are some wonderful towns to visit close to the lakes Covadonga with Cangas de Onís known for its Roman bridge and the mountain town of Potes with views of the valleys below.

Travelling to the South from the Costa Blanca

At the other end of the country in the southern region of Cadíz is the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park with the unique and charming interconnected lakes of Chorro. There are incredibly beautiful towering mountains here and the lake water is crystal clear, ideal for swimming and water sports. The park has several trails for those who want to hike in the countryside before relaxing by one of the lakes. This area of Spain is paradise for photographers with the wonderful scenery. There are several lovely towns and villages in the area of the lake including Setenil de las Bodegas which is a unique town with houses built into the rock face.

Conclusion

Taking the opportunity to visit one of Spain’s lakes with give you a complete change from life in the Costa Blanca and be a unique experience allowing us to really appreciate everything that Spain has to offer.  Get those walking boots and fishing rods packed and head out to explore the lakes of Spain next time you feel like a complete change of scenery and pace!