The Sierra Nevada National Park, Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 172.238 hectares. It is located between the provinces of Granada and Almería, in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. The perimeter encompasses the entire mountain massif, with the National Park covering the highest areas and the Nature Park surrounding it across the mid-mountain zones.
Sierra Nevada is a Mediterranean high-mountain ecosystem (Mulhacén peak 3.479 m.a.s.l.), which served as a plant refuge during the Quaternary glaciations. These plants co-exist with taxa arrived during the Tertiary period from the North African and Middle-East, when the Iberian Peninsula was united to the African continent. This factor and others, like the peculiar geological features, explain the huge diversity of plants (more than 2.100 taxa of vascular plants) and invertebrates, many of them being endemic, among the more than 9.400 taxa identified. Many remarkable vertebrate species can also be found, like the Mountain goat (Capra pyrenaica), the European snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) and a numerous bird community, including Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), etc.
The Park has a rich cultural and historical heritage coming from the Tartessos, Romans and Visigoth cultures, reflected throughout the 60 villages within the protected area, mainly in the Alpujarra region.
Sierra Nevada is a Special Conservation Area (ES6140004) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (ES6140004), and is therefore part of the Natura 2000 Network. The Padul wetlands and peatlands are also listed as a Ramsar Site. In addition, the area is a member of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST).
For information:
Address:
Centro Administrativo del Parque Nacional y Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada.
Carretera antigua a Sierra Nevada, km . 18191
Pinos Genil (Granada).
ESPAÑA/SPAIN
Teléfono: (+34) 958 980 238
E-mail: [email protected]
Web page:
| Application file | Application file |
| Resolutions | Available here |
|
On-the-spot appraisal visit |
T-PVS/DE(2025)02 |
| Other Reports | |
| 2025 Annual Report | 12/12/2025 |
| Next visit | 2035 |