Spain's Best

For a long time now, theme parks have stopped being just for kids and have become a good way of releasing some adrenaline while learning about nature, animals or history. Dizzying speeds, free-falls, zip-lines, film sets and crocodiles await you on this journey around Spain's top 10 most exciting parks.

1. Port Aventura, Salou, Tarragona 

http://www.portaventura.es

You are bound to find what you are after at this park as there is something here for all tastes. As well as the area with rides, there is a water park, four hotels and even a convention centre. The attractions are set in different parts of the world, giving you the chance to journey to places such as China and Polynesia and release some adrenaline on rides like Furius Baco, a roller coaster that takes you from 0 to 135 km/h in only 3 seconds. Meanwhile, there is the area where water takes centre stage, at the Caribe Aquatic Park, where you can experience the excitement of the King Khajuna, the highest free-fall slide in Europe. For those who fancy staying here overnight, there is more fun to be had at the hotels with a wide variety of shows on offer. As good as it gets.

2. Terra Mítica Park, Benidorm, Alicante 

http://www.terramiticapark.com

The theme park where you can learn about ancient history while having fun. Terra Mítica is set up as a journey through ancient Mediterranean civilisations so you can enjoy adrenaline-packed rides such as The Flight of the Phoenix- a one-hundred-metre free fall- as well as shows demonstrating the wonders of Imperial Rome like the Nero circus. The park has three different theme areas: Egypt, Greece and Rome as well as Iberia Park, designed for younger children. Each area has its own rides, shows and restaurants styled on that era. One of the strong points of this place are the sets. It is a real thrill to walk past the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Keops Pyramid. It can all be taken in from the top of the park's lookout, a 100-metre-tall tower called Infinite, located in Iberia Park

3. Parque Warner, Madrid 

http://parquewarner.com

Walking into Warner Bros Park is like entering the world of cinema. You can walk around sets you will recognise from the big screen while taking advantage of all the fun on offer, from riding the dizzying heights of the roller coasters in Super Hero World to strutting like a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Small children will have the time of their life at Cartoon Village where at any moment they might come across their favourite characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck or Tweety Bird. When it comes to the rides, you'll have to leave any fear of heights at home if you want to try the Superman roller coaster with its drop of almost 55 metres. Other activities include 3D projections and performances from Westerns, but above all the stunt show by 'Police Academy', making this park one not to be missed.

4. Siam Park, Adeje, Tenerife 

http://www.siampark.net

One of the biggest water parks in Europe, it is a veritable aquatic kingdom with incredible settings inspired by Thai architecture and lush greenery.. Sunbathe on an enormous white-sand beach or following the river through a world of tropical fish, green, leafy landscapes and waterfalls on Mai Thai River are just some of the many activities you can enjoy here. Without a doubt, the ride that will leave you with your mouth open is Tower of Power, an almost-vertical drop of 28 metres that goes through an aquarium full of fish. The Wave Palace is just as good. In fact, the park boasts the largest artificial wave in the world (three-metres high), which will certainly keep surfing fans happy. 

5. Isla Mágica, Seville

https://www.islamagica.es

This is another theme park where we can learn a little history while having fun. Isla Mágica took over the site and facilities of the famous Seville World Expo '92 and is themed on the discovery of America. The park is divided into seven worlds of fun and adventure.  You can travel to 16th-century Seville with its merchants and maidens, feel the wrath of the gods at Quetzal, discover the new world at Puerta de América or venture into the Amazon jungle. As well as the attractions and the shows, we can find water games and the Cinemoción virtual simulator. The latest attraction at the park is a whole new area with water rides called Agua Mágica, which opens in summer 2014.

6. Dinópolis, Teruel 

http://www.dinopolis.com

The dinosaur fossils found in the area are the reason behind this original theme park. Dinópolis is the perfect combination of a cultural, scientific and theme park. It offers a learning experience and adventure to all those who dare to take a trip to the source of life on Earth. Although Territorio Dinópolis has parks in seven different locations, the most impressive one is in Teruel. Here you will find all kinds of attractions, giving you the chance to put yourself in the shoes of an archaeologist, travel by boat through the last 65 million years on Earth, see why the Tyrannosaurus Rex was the most-feared dinosaur of the Jurassic Age or have a chat with a Prehistoric man.

7. Faunia, Madrid 

http://faunia.es

This is the perfect place to venture into the jungle with its tropical heat and storms, and be surrounded by the many animals that live there. You can find species from all over the planet, from Komodo dragons to sloths. One of this park's biggest advantages is that it allows you to observe the animals without it seeming like a traditional zoo because the enclosures are so well integrated into the park environment. One of the main attractions is The Poles, where you can see up to seven different penguin species. It is definitely worth attending one of the many didactic shows announced in the daily programme and, if your wallet can accommodate it, book one of the interactive encounters with the animals. 

8. Oasys, Tabernas, Almería 

http://www.oasysparquetematico.com

Walking around this original theme park you will feel like Clint Eastwood himself in one of his famous films, fighting outlaws in the middle of the desert. Oasys Park was created with the old film sets where hundreds of Spaghetti Westerns were shot in the 60s and 70s.  Entertainment is guaranteed in this corner of Almeria, Europe's only desert, with recreations staged by the park's actors. There is also a zoo reserve with more than 800 animals of 175 different species living in their natural habitat. It is all topped off by a swimming pool with spa, slides and activities related with the environment. 

9. Terra Natura, Alicante and Murcia 

http://www.terranatura.com

Just like Faunia, Terra Natura makes a huge effort to integrate the animals into the general park environment, making the barriers invisible to the visitor to create the impression that they are within reach. As a result, you can observe lions from up close, with just the protective glass standing between you. The park covers an area of over 165,000 m2 and has more than 200 different animal species, surrounded by impressive greenery. To top it all off, there's an aquatic area called Aqua Natura, which opens in summer. It has a wave pool, over a thousand metres of slides and areas reserved for infants so that young children can also enjoy the water.

10. La Selva de l'Aventura, Arbúcies, Girona

https://www.selvaventura.com/

Set deep in a Douglas fir forest in Montseny, this adventure park offers circuits that take you around the tops of these giant trees, giving you a whole new perspective. People of all ages can enjoy the great outdoors and the feeling of freedom up high on the two circuits as well as the more than 60 activities, such as hanging bridges, swing ropes and zip-lines of up to 140 metres in length. The most adventurous will feel right at home, playing Tarzan between trees up to 15 metres high. Selva de l’Aventura is also the ideal place to hold an original birthday party or a hen or stag party if you are looking for some added excitement. The park is closed to the public in colder months and during the school year it only opens on weekdays for advance group bookings.

More than 1100 kilometres of coastline, two National Parks and cities such as Seville, Córdoba and Granada are the epitome of Andalusia, but there is so much more to this region. Roman ruins, villages that defy gravity, dizzying trails and rivers that appear to be from another planet. This too is Andalusia. Come discover these other destinations, those that aren't on the first page of the travel guides. They will make your jaw drop all the same. This is the ideal place for your next getaway. (In no particular order)

1. Archaeological Site of Baelo Claudia. Roman Andalusia

If you like archaeology, here are two places that cannot be missed. The first is in Santiponce (a mere 15 km from Seville), where the remains of the ancient Roman city of Italica (206 BCE.) are found. From here you can see its Roman amphitheatre and part of the outline of its streets. In Cádiz, only two and a half hours by car from here, you'll find the Archaeological Site of Baelo Claudia, one of the best known examples of Roman urban planning.

2. Caminito del Rey, Malaga

Leave your dizziness behind to enjoy the Gaitanes Gorge on this unique trail. It has a bridge hanging from the mountain's wall that in some stretches is barely a metre wide, and 100 meters tall. Although it has been closed to the public due to poor maintenance, after a long restoration process, it was reopened at Easter.

3. Río Tinto, Huelva.

It's as if you were on Mars; the landscape seems dyed red along the Río Tinto, a river running through the province of Huelva. The peculiar colour of this river is due to the high concentration of heavy metals in underground aquifers.  In addition to gazing at the river's extraordinary beauty, you can get closer to the Río Tinto with a visit to its Mining Park, where you will learn how the region was transformed thanks to mining.

4. Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz.

This is one of the white Andalusian towns where you'll run the risk of running out of memory on your camera, especially at its walled fortress which is perfectly preserved. Situated on a hill, Vejer shines almost to the point of making you squint. Nevertheless it is necessary to keep your eyes open to appreciate its incredible views that allow us to see the African coast

5. Casacada de la Cimbarra, Jaén

An impressive waterfall nearly 40 metres high is one of the best kept secrets in the province of Jaén. The town council of Aldeaquemada, the nearest village, recommends leaving your car at the foot of La Cimbarra and taking the path to the right in order to see the waterfall from its base, or taking the path on the left to see the waterfall head on.

6. Sierra de Grazalema. Grazalema, Cadiz

It's April year round in the Grazalema mountains. According to records it rains here more than anywhere else on the Iberian peninsula, something that makes this area one of the most ecologically valuable in Andalusia. The intense rainfall and the limestone terrain make this area a paradise for fans of rock climbing and caving as the landscapes are steep and there are many caves and grottos.

7. Cortegana, Huelva

At only 60 kilometres from the Portuguese border you'll encounter a small medieval village with a gem to be discovered, the Sanchocuanto castle, where every August the most important Medieval fair in Andalusia takes place. In addition to the village's historic and architectural value, Cortegana is worth a visit for its natural beauty. The town is located in the middle of the Aracena mountain range, surrounded by valleys full of cork oak and chestnut trees.

8. Pasarela sobre el río Castril, Castril, Granada

While the capital and the Sierra Nevada are the main tourist points in the province of Granada, there are other charming places in this area such as the Granada high plateau, a land of contrasts with nearly desert like terrain as well as high mountains. Here you'll find treasures such as the hanging footbridge over the Castril river, a spectacular 20 minute walk on the wooden footbridge through the river gorge. In addition to the village of Castril, it's also worth visiting Huéscar, the county's capital.

9. Vélez-Blanco. Castillo de Vélez-Blanco

This Renaissance fortress, one of Andalusia's best, impresses from afar with a perfectly maintained silhouette on a hillside. It is nearly 2500 square metres and has two main buildings joined by a drawbridge. The fortress's "Patio de Honor" [Courtyard of Honor] cannot be missed. Made of white marble, it is considered a gem of the Renaissance.

10. Setenil de las bodegas, Cádiz

One of the most spectacular destinations in Andalusia is this village set in stone. Adapting perfectly to the topography of the area, part of the old town has been built around rocks, with some buildings above them and some inside them. Wandering the narrow streets you may suddenly find yourself in the heart of a rock.