While Spain does not host such lofty mountains as are found in the Alps and further east in Europe, it can boast a significant number of peaks over 3,000 m (9,843 ft). The highest of these mountains is Teide – 3,718 m (12,198 ft).

Found on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, south-west of the mainland, Teide is a volcano with a prominence that matches its elevation. It’s regarded as active, with its last destructive eruption in 1909, and is listed as one of the 16 closely-watched Decade Volcanos.

eide is the highest peak found on any of the Atlantic islands. And, as with the giants of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii, if this volcano were measured from its actual base on the sea floor, it would stand at 7,500 m (24,606 ft).

The highest mainland peak in Spain is Mulhacén (3,479 m/ 11,414 ft).

It is the high point of Iberian Peninsula (which includes Portugal) and the highest point in Europe after the Caucasus Mountains (home to Mount Elbrus (5,643m/ 18,514 ft)) and the Alps. It’s prominence is also notable, at all but the first 193.5 m (635 ft) of its full height.

The five highest peaks in Spain:

• Teide – 3,718 m (12,198 ft), on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
• Mulhacén – 3,479 m (11,414 ft), in the Sierra Nevada Range near Granada, south Spain.
• Pico Aneto – 3,404 m (11,168 ft), in the Pyrenees (highest peak), north-east Spain.
• Pico del Veleta – 3,396 m (11,142 ft), in the Sierra Nevada Range, south Spain. (Nb. height accounts can vary +/- 2 m (6.5 ft)).
• Pico Posets – 3,371 m (11,060 ft), in the Pyrenees, north-east Spain.