The world is full of incredible places to explore, and it’s difficult to identify the most beautiful, but Time Out has taken on the difficult task.

It recently released a ranking of the 51 most beautiful places in the world, which included everything from lakes to beaches, National Parks, libraries, vineyards, and historic towns. However, taking the top spot is a spectacular mountain range that offers incredible hiking, and it’s just a two-hour flight from the UK.

The Picos de Europa in Spain is a dramatic, jagged limestone mountain range that reaches a peak of 2,650 metres. It’s just over 12 miles from the coast, meaning the mountains rise sharply, creating deep gorges to explore.

One trek, the Cares Trail, is among the most popular hikes in Spain, following a canyon and exploring the jagged peaks and waterfalls along the way. At over 13 miles in total, it’s not for beginners, although its moderate gradients mean it’s accessible to hikers who can handle the trail length.

An easy option is to hop on the Fuente Dé cable car, zipping you up the mountain in minutes and means you can simply sit back and enjoy the lush green mountain scenery beneath your feet. Once you’re at the top, you can also access some further hiking routes, including some challenging, high-ascent climbs that offer unforgettable views.

The mountains are part of the wider Picos de Europa National Park, and this area includes the Lakes of Covadonga. These shimmering blue waters are surrounded by mountains and greenery, and resemble the scenes you’d see in Scotland or the Lake District, making it hard to believe you’re in Spain.

This protected national park is teeming with wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, vultures, and eagles, and you’ll likely spot mountain goats and colourful butterflies amid the limestone scenery.

At the base of the mountains, you can explore towns such as the medieval Potes, full of centuries-old stone and half-timber buildings and cobbled streets that give it a rustic charm. At the heart of the town is the Torre del Infantado, a 15th-century tower once home to medieval royalty, now a museum with a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the town.

Arenas de Cabrales on the outskirts of the park is another popular place to stay. Its famous for producing Cabrales cheese, and has become a foodie destination thanks to its large number of renowned restaurants serving Northern Spanish cuisine. Don’t expect to see paella on the menu. In this part of the country the dishes are hearty and rustic, such as bean stews and grilled meat, with ingredients sourced locally in the mountains.

The Picos de Europa is just under two hours from Santander Airport, and is served by airlines including Ryanair. Routes from the UK to Santander run year-round from Edinburgh and London-Stansted, and there are seasonal flights from Birmingham and Manchester. Flights start from just £15 one way and take two hours from the UK.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com