Lago de Sanabria covers an area of ​​318.7 hectares. Its maximum depth is 51 m. The lake was created by the glaciers in the Quaternary.

Today it is a popular summer destination for tourists and holidaymakers. On the southern shore of the lake you can find a beautiful sandy beach, that is overcrowded during the warm sunny days. They mainly come here to bathe. But also to enjoy various activities such as canoeing or rowing.

Here you can also rent a pedal boat. Right on the beach of Lago de Sanabria there is a pleasant restaurant with outdoor seating. More than 50 000 people visit the lake every year. The lake’s surroundings is ideal for the mountain biking or hiking.

Lago de Sanabria is part of the Sanabria Lake Natural Park, which covers an area of ​​22,635 hectares. It is situated at an altitude of 997-2124 m. The park is characterized by its great diversity.

The oaks, birches, willows, yews and various shrubs grow here. A rarity in these latitudes are also peat. The animals include lynx, wolf, partridge, golden eagle or otter. In lakes and streams you can find trout. Sanabria Lake Natural Park was founded in 1978. The park includes also the villages Galende, Cobreros, Trefacio y Porto de Sanabria.

Center of the park is located in a former medieval Cistercian monastery of San Martín de Castañeda.

View Lago de Sanabria – the biggest glacial lake in the Iberian Peninsula Spain in a larger map

The post Lago de Sanabria – the biggest glacial lake in the Iberian Peninsula | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Elba is located between Liguria Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea and is often called as The Pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Elba offers wonderful natural sceneries and beautiful mountains. Sandy beaches are very popular here and many tourists prefer to visit Portoferraio for its National Park activities. The island of Elba is about 150km long and covers the area of 224 km2. The Monte Cappane – the highest mountain on Elba (1019m) is very popular for hiking and it is also called “roof of the Tuscan Archipelago”.

Since Portoferraio has the historical value, many scholars are doing research in the island. About thirty thousand people are living in this island and about eleven thousand persons are staying in Portoferraio city. On Elba you can find lots of monuments.

You can enjoy here the sunbathing, fishing, the pirate ship battle, hiking, visiting Napoleon’s palace (Napoleon was here in exile as governor), or even sitting in pubs and tasting excellent local cuisine.

Regular boat services are available from Piombino. Our tip is to rent a boat and discover the coast of Elba where you can find lots of unknown and empty wonderful beaches.

Tourists visiting Italy should not miss to visit Elba, as we think it is one of few places, which have to be visited, at least once in a life.

View Island of Elba – pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago in a larger map

The post Island of Elba – pearl of the Tuscan Archipelago appeared first on Europe Explored.