Spain's Picos de Europa Named 'Most Beautiful Place in the World' by Time Out

Number One on the Planet

The Picos de Europa has been ranked the most beautiful place in the world by leading British magazine Time Out, topping its list of the 51 most spectacular landscapes and destinations on the planet.

The mountain range in northern Spain beat out iconic locations including Komodo National Park in Indonesia (ranked second), Portugal's Douro Valley and California's Big Sur — placing Spain firmly at the top of the world's natural beauty rankings.

What Makes the Picos So Special?

Stretching across Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León, the Picos de Europa National Park has peaks rising to 2,650 metres — remarkably, just a short distance from the Cantabrian coast.

Time Out described it as "one of the most compact mountain ranges in the world", highlighting the rugged terrain, deep gorges, jagged peaks, nearby beaches and the Cantabrian Sea. The magazine called the combination a geographical wonder.

It is Spain's second most visited national park, after Teide National Park in Tenerife — though it arguably offers a far more varied landscape, from alpine meadows and limestone peaks to lush green valleys and dramatic river gorges.

A Deliberate Choice to Avoid Overtourism Bias

Time Out's full ranking deliberately blends well-known landmarks with lesser-known gems — an approach designed to avoid overtourism bias and shine a light on places that retain their authenticity. The Picos de Europa fits that brief perfectly: spectacular but far less overrun than many comparable mountain destinations in the Alps or Dolomites.

Spain's Natural Beauty on the World Stage

The award is the latest recognition of Spain's extraordinary natural landscape, alongside places like Doñana National Park, the Canary Islands and Málaga's famous Caminito del Rey.

For expats and visitors looking for a very different side of Spain from the sunny costas, the Picos de Europa is well worth the trip — whether for serious hiking, casual walking or simply taking in some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe.

This article is based on reporting from The Olive Press, published March 31, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.