Atlantic Beaches and the Wild Edge of Doñana
Huelva is a province and city in the far south-west of Spain, on the Atlantic Costa de la Luz in Andalusia, known for its long beaches, for Doñana National Park and for its links to Christopher Columbus. The coast runs for more than a hundred kilometres of broad, pale sand, from Isla Cristina and Punta Umbría to Mazagón and Matalascañas, backed by pine woods and dunes. The Atlantic gives these beaches a different character from the Mediterranean resorts of the Costa del Sol, with wider horizons, bigger skies and a more relaxed, family-friendly feel.
Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, is one of the great wetlands of Europe, a mosaic of marshes, dunes and pine forest that shelters flamingos, spoonbills, imperial eagles and the rare Iberian lynx. Walks and guided jeep tours reveal the landscape. At the northern edge, the village of El Rocío, with its sandy streets and white hermitage, draws a famous Pentecost gathering. At the eastern end of the coast, Isla Canela offers a quieter beach base near the Portuguese frontier.
Columbus, Jabugo Ham and Seafood from the Atlantic
Huelva holds a central place in the story of the Age of Discovery. The monastery of La Rábida and the town of Palos de la Frontera were closely tied to Columbus's 1492 voyage, and the Muelle de las Carabelas, a replica harbour with reconstructions of the three ships, tells the story. The city of Huelva itself celebrates this heritage each August in the Fiestas Colombinas, with music, fairs and open-air events along the river.
The table is a draw. The prawns of Huelva, white langostinos, grilled or boiled, are a local pride, and fresh Atlantic fish, cuttlefish and tuna are everywhere. Inland, the Sierra de Aracena and the village of Jabugo are celebrated for jamón ibérico from acorn-fed pigs, and local strawberries have made the province a leading grower. A tourist board can combine beaches, nature and gastronomy in a single compelling story, and neighbours such as Córdoba and the wider Andalusia guide offer rich cultural extensions.
Read the full Huelva guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitHuelva.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.