Nature Parks in Europe: The Best Family Excursions from Sènia Campsites

Southern Europe is brimming with natural wonders that enchant both young and old. From the Catalan coast to the volcanic landscapes of La Garrotxa, from Andorran forests to the magical lakes of Croatia, each natural park offers a promise of adventure and discovery.

For families seeking nature holidays, Sènia campsites are the perfect starting point. Located right next to many protected areas, they provide the ideal opportunity to combine relaxation, comfort, and immersion in nature. Easy hikes, educational outings, wild swimming or picnics under the pines: every day can be a new adventure.

Whether you enjoy gentle walks, river swimming or wildlife spotting, this selection of 7 natural parks in Spain and Croatia will guide you to the most memorable family wildlife holidays.


CONTENTS

Why Visit a Natural Park with Your Family on Holiday?

Top 7 Nature Parks to Explore Near Sènia Campsites
Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park (Catalonia, Spain)
Montseny Natural Park (Spain, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)
Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Catalonia)
Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park (Catalonia)
Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park (Catalonia)
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia, UNESCO)
Krka National Park (Croatia)

Nature Park Road Trip – Recommended Itinerary
Preparing a Family Nature Excursion – 5 Essential Tips
FAQ – Nature Parks Near Sènia Campsites

Exploring a natural park with children is more than just an outing: it's an educational and sensory adventure. Every path becomes a playground where you observe insects, guess animal tracks, and uncover unexpected landscapes.

The benefits are numerous: improved motor skills, awareness of biodiversity, quality time away from screens... Nature parks offer the perfect balance between gentle physical activity and ecological awareness.

Plus, many Sènia campsites are just an hour’s drive away, sometimes even reachable on foot or by bike. Perfect for easy day trips without complex logistics.

Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park (Catalonia, Spain)

Sènia Riu Campsite – 40 min away

If you're spending your family holiday at Sènia Riu campsite, you’re close to one of Catalonia's most diverse parks. Sea, mountains and river meet here to create the perfect nature playground for kids: dune walks, kayaking along cliffs, birdwatching or hiking up to a medieval fortress.

Its unique feature? The Medes Islands – a protected marine reserve that attracts divers and sea lovers. Accessible only by boat or kayak, they offer a truly unique excursion.

• Start: Torroella de Montgrí
• Level: Moderate (ages 6-7+ comfortable with elevation)
• Duration: 1h30 round trip
• Elevation gain: +300 m

• Birdwatching in the Ter Vell marshes
• Kayaking along the cliffs to the Medes Islands (ages 6+, guided)
• Snorkelling or boat cruises from L’Estartit

Tips:

• The trail is sunny and windy – go early or late afternoon
• Sturdy closed shoes essential (rocky terrain)
• No water or shade → bring 1.5 L per person and a hat
• Picnic area in the pine forest at the castle’s northern side

Official site here

Montseny Natural Park (Spain, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)

Sènia Caballo de Mar – 1h / Cala Gogo Internacional – 50min

Jordi Carceller Comas 

Looking for a day trip from the coast? Montseny Natural Park is a fantastic choice for a forest immersion just an hour away. Ideal for families seeking shade, bird songs, chestnut collecting (in autumn) or simply fresh mountain air.

A UNESCO biosphere reserve, this park is renowned for its varied landscapes, from Mediterranean woods to lush beech forests. Wild boars, foxes and forest birds are often seen.

Highlight: The only Catalan park where pines, chestnut, beech, evergreen and fir trees all grow so close to the sea. A perfect spot to teach kids about mountain forest diversity.

• Start: Santa Fe Visitor Centre
• Level: Easy (from age 4-5)
• Duration: 1h loop
• Elevation: Very low
• Notes: Flat, shaded, very pleasant in summer, all-terrain pushchair accessible

Extras:

• Chestnut or leaf collection in autumn
• Wildlife spotting (squirrels, woodpeckers, jays...)
• Picnic areas around the visitor centre
• Visit Can Casades botanical garden (5-min walk)

Tips:

• Cooler than the coast → pack a jacket even in summer
• Paid parking in high season, arrive before 10am on weekends
• Toilets and water at the visitor centre
• Partial pushchair access (prefer all-terrain models)

Here is the PDF drop-down from the Barcelona Provincial Council site

Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Catalonia)

Sènia Rupit Campsite – 45 min away

Carquinyol from Badalona, Catalunya (corrected contrasts)

This park features some of the most unique landscapes in Catalonia. In the Olot region, Garrotxa boasts over 40 volcanic cones and 20 lava flows. A fascinating place for children: craters, caves, basalt flows and dense forests turn exploration into a game.

Did you know? You can literally walk on a volcano here. The Croscat trail features an impressive geological cut – one of the park's highlights.

• Start: “Santa Margarida / Croscat” car park
• Level: Easy (from age 4-5)
• Duration: 1h to 1h15 loop
• Elevation: Light
• Notes: Educational, safe, very popular

Top family activities:

• Visit Santa Margarida Volcano and its chapel (20 min extra walk)
• Explore the medieval village of Santa Pau
• “Junior volcanologist” workshop at the visitor centre (summer only)
• Horse-drawn carriage rides in the Fageda d’en Jordà (on-site booking)

Tips:

• Croscat gets busy on weekends → visit early or on weekdays
• Well-equipped park but wear sturdy shoes (uneven ground)
• Pack spare clothes if kids play near rivers
• Autumn (Oct–Nov) is stunning for forest colours

Garrotxa Tourism Site

Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park (Catalonia)

Sènia Riu Campsite – 25 min away

Between rice fields, Costa Brava beaches and marshes of the Gulf of Roses lies a haven for bird-loving families. Once farmland and saltworks, this protected area is now a paradise for migratory birds.

Highlight: One of Catalonia’s best birdwatching sites, with well-maintained observatories suitable for children.

• Start: Cortalet Visitor Centre
• Level: Very easy (pushchair friendly)
• Duration: 1h30 to 2h loop
• Elevation: Flat
• Notes: Route through reeds, marshes, towers and ponds

Bonus activities:

• Picnic near Cortalet (picnic area)
• Family birdwatching workshops (school holidays – registration required)
• Discover restored fisherman huts

Tips:

• Best in spring and autumn for bird migration
• Bring binoculars
• Use insect repellent
• Closed shoes recommended due to wetland terrain

Empordà Tourism Site

Montnegre i el Corredor Natural Park (Catalonia)

Sènia Caballo de Mar – 20 min / Cala Canyelles – 50 min / Tucan – 50 min

Need fresh air without a long drive? Montnegre i el Corredor is the closest green escape from many Sènia campsites. Ideal for a half-day in nature, this forested massif features Mediterranean trees (pines, oaks, corks), shaded trails and gentle hills perfect for relaxing.

Highlight: A place rich in local legends – witches, hermits and forest spirits spark children’s imaginations during walks.

• Start: Hermitage car park or Llinars del Vallès village
• Level: Very easy
• Duration: 1h return
• Elevation: Minimal
• Notes: Drivable to summit for young kids

Extras:

• Visit the hermitage and local museum (open Sundays & holidays) + picnic area with tables and fountain
• Nature workshop and wooden games at Santa Maria de Montnegre (seasonal)
• Marked MTB trails for teens

Tips:

• No food in the park: bring your snacks or picnic
• Ideal for early mornings or calm afternoons
• Insect repellent needed in spring
• Easy access, no special gear required

Here is the PDF drop-down from the Barcelona Provincial Council site

Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia, UNESCO)

Kamp Ugljan – 2h20 / Kamp Karin – 1h30

Plitvice is Croatia’s most iconic park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, it’s famed for its 16 turquoise lakes linked by over 90 waterfalls. A magical place where you wander across wooden footbridges, hop on mini trains, and take electric boat rides. A must-visit for the whole family.

Highlight: One of the world’s first parks to be UNESCO-listed. Its beauty is legendary.

• Start: Park Entrance 2
• Level: Easy to moderate
• Duration: 4-5h with breaks
• Elevation: Gradual
• Notes: Loop with boat + mini-train, very varied and accessible

Extras:

• Electric boat between lakes (included with entry – ~€39 adult / ~€15 child high season)
• Light meals available (picnic spots too)
• Observation games for kids (plants, fish, insects)

Tips:

• Book tickets online (mandatory in high season)
• Pushchairs not recommended (stairs, narrow bridges)
• Best times: May-June & Sept-Oct (less crowded)
• Bring picnic, sun cream, hats, and spare clothes for kids

Official site here

Krka National Park (Croatia)

Sènia Stobreč Campsite – 1h / Kamp Karin – 50min

Perhaps Croatia’s second most famous park, Krka is known for its dramatic waterfalls and wooden footpaths above the water. While Plitvice is more famous, Krka is more compact, accessible, and allows supervised summer swimming. A great choice for a first nature park visit with kids.

Good to know: A swimming area near Skradinski Buk is still open in summer, depending on park regulations.

• Start: Lozovac entrance
• Level: Very easy (all ages)
• Duration: 1h to 1h30
• Elevation: Low
• Bonus: Wooden footbridges – photogenic and safe

Extras:

• Boat trip to Visovac island and monastery (from Skradin or Lozovac – ~€15 adult / ~€10 child)
• Swimming area (depending on park rules)
• Local product tastings: honey, lavender, dried figs (artisan stalls near Lozovac)

Tips:

• Book tickets in advance (essential in summer)
• Arrive early (before 10am) to beat crowds and heat
• Bring swimsuits, towels and water shoes if swimming permitted
• Pushchair-friendly on parts of the trail

more information here

or in the Official site

This itinerary lets you explore four iconic nature parks while enjoying three conveniently located Sènia campsites. Each stop combines nature, local culture, and quality accommodation – with a bonus idea to extend your nature journey into the Pyrenees.

Days 1–2: Sènia Riu Campsite → Montgrí Park and Aiguamolls de l’Empordà

Day 3: Sènia Cala Canyelles Campsite → Montnegre i el Corredor Park

Days 4–5: Drive to Sènia Rupit Campsite → Garrotxa Park

Optional Days 6–7: Add a high-altitude nature stop in the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (Andorra)

Total drive time: 5h37

A creative idea for families who want to go further: add a final nature stop in the Andorran Pyrenees. Just a 3-hour drive from the Costa Brava campsites, it’s a perfect way to end your holiday with some cool mountain air, far from the crowds.

• Recommended hike: Engolasters – Fontverd loop (2h30, moderate level)
• Ambience: Forests, mountain huts, rivers, car-free
• Tips: No shops or restaurants → bring a picnic and warm clothes
• Ideal for: Families on vanlife trips or long stays split into stages

official site here

Ferran Llorens

1. Pick an age-appropriate activity: Choose easy loops like Santa Fe in Montseny (from age 4) or Krka’s wooden paths (all ages).
   
   
2. Check the weather and gear up accordingly: Closed shoes, sun hats, jackets in high altitudes, sunscreen and at least 1.5 L of water per person.
   
   
3. Follow park rules: Don’t feed animals, stay on marked trails, don’t pick anything (not even flowers).
   
   
4. Pack a picnic to enjoy the surroundings: Picnic zones are available in Montseny, Garrotxa, Krka, and Plitvice.
   
   
5. Use apps like Komoot or Visorando (iOS & Android): Free apps for planning hikes, with offline maps, elevation info, estimated times, and other families’ reviews.

Can you swim in the nature parks?
Only in Krka (Croatia), in a designated area near Skradinski Buk, during summer and subject to park regulations. Swimming is prohibited in Plitvice, in Catalan reserves (Medes Islands), Garrotxa, and Risnjak.

Are dogs allowed in the parks?
Generally yes, on a leash. Always check each park’s rules: some trails may be dog-free, especially in swimming areas or sensitive zones.

Which hikes are suitable for pushchairs?

• Montseny Park: Santa Fe lake loop (with an all-terrain pushchair)
• Krka Park: Wooden walkways at Lozovac (partially accessible)

Where to buy tickets for Krka and Plitvice?

• Krka: Online at shop.np-krka.hr, also possible on-site (card payment recommended)
• Plitvice: Online only via np-plitvicka-jezera.hr, mandatory in summer, book at least 48h in advance

Do you need a car, or can you go by bike?

• By bike: Montgrí, Montnegre, and sometimes Montseny (15–45 min rides from campsites)
• Car necessary: Garrotxa, Plitvice, Krka (drives range from 45 min to 3h from the campsites)

Are there facilities (toilets, food, etc.)?
Yes, but it depends on the park:

• Montseny: Visitor centre with toilets, fountains, picnic area. No restaurant.
• Garrotxa: Visitor centre with toilets, picnic areas. No restaurants in the park, but nearby villages like Santa Pau and Olot have options.
• Krka: Toilets, picnic area, light food at Lozovac entrance.
• Plitvice: On-site dining (cafeteria), toilets along the trails, picnic zones.
• Montgrí & Montnegre: Picnic areas only, no services – bring water and snacks.