Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park sees ecological and tourism surge

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park in Spain is experiencing a significant ecological recovery due to abundant rainfall during the previous winter and spring. This has reactivated the Gigüela River, resulting in approximately 650 hectares of flooded land, creating an oasis in the heart of La Mancha.

The environmental improvements have led to a surge in tourism and biodiversity. In 2025, the park received nearly 200,000 visitors, with projections suggesting numbers could reach between 230,000 and 240,000 in 2026. This influx has also boosted local accommodation occupancy in Daimiel.

Wildlife populations are also seeing historic highs. The breeding season for 2026 has yielded some of the best records in four decades, specifically for the park’s emblem, the ferruginous duck, which has reached between 1,600 and 1,700 breeding pairs—the highest result since records began in 1980.