Start our journey with two mountain giants: Sierra Nevada National Park and Picos de Europa National Park. These two parks, though far apart, offer similar yet unique experiences for families looking for an active vacation in the mountains.

The Sierra Nevada, located in southern Spain, is a true paradise for mountain hikers. This park, with the highest peak in mainland Spain - Mulhacén (3,478 meters above sea level), offers trails of varying difficulty, so there is something for every family. For the youngest, we recommend the easy trails around the Laguna de las Yeguas lake, where you can enjoy the rich flora and fauna. Older children and parents can try their hand at more challenging trails, such as the trail to Veleta (3396 meters above sea level), which offers breathtaking views of the entire mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Picos de Europa National Park, on the other hand, located in the northern part of the country, is a real gem among Spain's national parks. Known for its stunning landscapes, deep gorges and picturesque lakes, this park offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family. One of the main attractions is the cable car at Fuente Dé, which takes visitors up to an altitude of more than 1,800 meters in just a few minutes, offering panoramic views of the entire massif. It's the perfect place to start a family adventure - you can take a short walk on marked trails or venture deeper into the mountains for a longer hike.

When comparing the two parks, several aspects are worth noting. Sierra Nevada offers a more extensive tourist infrastructure, including numerous huts and ski stations, which can be an asset for families with young children. The Picos de Europa, on the other hand, impresses with its wild, almost untouched nature and less crowded trails, which will be appreciated by families looking for tranquility and direct contact with nature.

Both parks have high ratings among visitors (Sierra Nevada - 4.7, Picos de Europa - 4.8), a testament to their undeniable attractiveness. However, it is worth remembering that in Sierra Nevada we may encounter difficulties with trail marking, while in Picos de Europa the paths are better marked and maintained.

Regardless of which park you choose, remember to prepare accordingly. Bring comfortable trekking shoes, warm clothes (even in summer it can be chilly in the mountains), a supply of water and snacks. It's also a good idea to consult a map of the trails and the current weather forecast before setting out on the trail. Both parks have tourist information centers, where you can get additional information and advice on how to safely navigate the mountains with children.

We now move on to the Canary Islands, where another amazing adventure awaits - Teide National Park in Tenerife. This is a place where families can experience a true 'trip to Mars' without leaving Earth.

Teide National Park, with an impressive rating of 4.8, is not only the highest peak in Spain (3718 meters above sea level), but above all a fascinating world of volcanic landscapes that will delight both children and adults. Spatial rock formations, frozen lava flows and multicolored layers of minerals create scenery as if from another planet.

One of the park's biggest attractions is the cable car, which ascends to an altitude of 3,555 meters in just 8 minutes. This is an excellent option for families with small children or people with limited physical abilities, allowing them to enjoy the extraordinary views without having to climb forcibly. Remember, however, that tickets are worth booking in advance, especially during the summer season.

For more active families, the park offers numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. A popular route goes around the rock formations of Los Roques de García, where you can admire the famous 'Finger of God' rock. It's a relatively easy route, ideal for a family stroll where children can feel like little explorers on an alien planet.

An unusual Teide attraction that children will especially enjoy is night sky observation. The park is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its clean air and minimal light pollution. Many companies organize night tours with telescopes, where families can view the starry sky and learn about the constellations.

When comparing Teide with the previously discussed mountain parks, several aspects are worth noting:

1. accessibility: Teide is more easily accessible to families with young children thanks to the cable car, while the Sierra Nevada and Picos de Europa require more physical effort.

2. Unique landscapes: Teide's volcanic formations are absolutely unique and not to be seen in other Spanish parks.

3. Education: Teide offers unique educational opportunities in geology and astronomy, which can be fascinating for school-aged children.

4. Climate: Unlike continental parks, Teide has a stable, warm climate year-round, making it easy to plan trips.

When planning a visit to Teide, keep a few important things in mind:

• Bring warm clothes - even though you are in the Canary Islands, it can be chilly at high altitudes.
• Use high UV sunscreen - the sun at this altitude is very intense.
• Book your train tickets in advance, especially during the summer season.
• If you plan to observe the sky at night, bring warm blankets and a thermos of hot tea.

Teide National Park is a place where families can explore the mysteries of the volcanoes together, admire the extraordinary landscapes and dream under the starry sky. It's an experience that will long be remembered by children and adults alike.

At the end of our journey through Spain's national parks, we move to the Pyrenees, to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. This park, with an impressive rating of 4.9, is a true paradise for families who love nature and active recreation.

Considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Ordesa y Monte Perdido Park impresses with its variety of landscapes. From deep glacial valleys to lush beech forests to rugged mountain peaks, every corner of the park offers new and fascinating views. The centerpiece of the park is the majestic peak of Monte Perdido (3355 meters above sea level), the third highest in the Pyrenees.

One of the park's biggest attractions, especially for families with children, is the Ordesa Valley. This spectacular glacial valley, surrounded by high rock walls, offers a number of easy and moderately difficult trails, ideal for family hikes. The popular route to the Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail) waterfall is a true feast for the senses - it leads along the rushing Arazas River, passing numerous smaller waterfalls and cascades along the way.

For families with young children, we recommend the easy 'Senda de los Cazadores' route, which offers beautiful views of the valley without having to climb great differences in elevation. Older children and more experienced hikers may be tempted by more challenging routes, such as the trail to the Faja de Pelay Pass, which offers panoramic views of the entire Ordesa Valley.

The park also offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities. With a little luck, you can spot Pyrenean chamois, roe deer and even eagles. This is an excellent opportunity to teach children respect for nature and the rules of behavior in a wild environment.

Comparing Ordesa y Monte Perdido with the previously discussed parks, several aspects are worth noting:

1. accessibility: unlike Teide, Ordesa does not offer a cable car, which means that all attractions require a hike. However, it is less demanding than some of the trails in the Sierra Nevada.

2 Diversity of landscapes: The park offers a remarkable variety of ecosystems in a relatively small area, making it an ideal place to learn about nature.

3. Infrastructure: The park is well set up to receive tourists, with numerous marked trails and information points, making it easy to plan trips with children.

4. Seasonality: Unlike Teide, Ordesa has a distinct tourist season (late spring to early fall), outside of which some trails may be inaccessible due to snow.

When planning a visit to Ordesa y Monte Perdido, keep a few important considerations in mind:

• The best time to visit is between June and September, when most trails are accessible and the weather is favorable for hiking.
• During the summer season, the park can be crowded - consider visiting during the week or arrive early in the morning.
• Bring appropriate trekking shoes, even for easy trails - the terrain can be rocky and slippery.
• Remember to bring enough water and snacks - there are no stores or restaurants in the park.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a place where families can explore the beauty of wildlife together, admire the majestic mountains and waterfalls, and learn about the ecosystems of the Pyrenees. It's an experience that develops in children a love of nature and a passion for outdoor activities.

To sum up our tour of Spain's national parks, each of the parks discussed offers unique experiences and attractions for families. Whether you choose the mountainous trails of the Sierra Nevada, the wild landscapes of the Picos de Europa, the volcanic wonders of Teide, or the Pyrenean valleys of Ordesa y Monte Perdido, each destination guarantees unforgettable experiences and opportunities to build family memories in nature. Remember that the key to a successful trip is to be well prepared and tailor plans to the capabilities of the youngest family members. Explore, learn and enjoy your time together in these extraordinary corners of Spain!