A guide to Huelva

This is the coast of Huelva, where you can enjoy the sun and sea as well as discovering one of the most important wildlife reserves in all of Europe: the Doñana National Park.

Discover the many attractions that await you in this beautiful region which, as well as offering numerous natural spaces of great ecological value, is also steeped in history as it is from here that Christopher Columbus set off on his epic voyage to America. A fabulous mixture that, together with the region’s excellent hotels and full range of leisure facilities and services, guarantees that you will enjoy a truly memorable holiday.

Apart from relaxing on its long, quiet beaches, the coast of Huelva has so much more for you to enjoy. You can have a great time strolling around the streets of its small fishing towns, where you can also try some of the delicious fresh fish, seafood and, of course, the region’s famous hams and strawberries.

If you come in the summer, it is well worth visiting Punta Umbría, from where you can reach the provincial capital, Huelva, by canoes, a service which has been operating on the river since the early 20th century.

For those seeking nightlife, Matalascañas is one of the most popular spots to visit.

Places of interest in Huelva

The Donana National Park

This is the most important nature reserve in Spain and possibly Europe and is basically the delta of the River Guadalquivir. The park consists of over 500,000 hectares of sand dunes, marshland, beaches, rivers, lagoons, sea beds and estuaries making it ideal for wild life including the Lynx cat (One of Europes rarest animals). It only became a Parque nacional in 1969 after the land had been passed through many hands over many centuries. It was one of the duchesses of Medina Sidonia, Dona Ana de Silva y Mendoza who decided to build her residence there. As a result, the entire region came to be known as the ‘forest of Dona Ana’, or Donana.

Muelle del Tinto docks

Built at the beginning of the century to load Huelva’s mineral exports.

Sanctuario de Nuestra Señora de El Rocío

This huge church (right), located at the North West edge of the Donana National Park, was destroyed in 1755 and then rebuilt again in the 60s. Inside you will find the Virgen del Rocío.

The Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Cinta

A sanctuary for the patroness of the city, said to have been visited by Columbus himself.

Barrio Riena Victoria

British mining companies developed an English quarter known as ‘Barrio Riena Victoria’ during the 19th century.

The Monastery of La Rabida

Columbus stayed here between 1491-92 waiting for financial backing from the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, for his voyage to the New World.

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