Things to see and do in Huelva
Posted on 10 . December 2021
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Bordered by Portugal, Badajoz, Seville, and Cádiz, the province of Huelva in Southern Spain’s Andalucia region has a lot to offer for visitors to this beautiful part of the world. Not only does the port city of Huelva itself have some lovely things to see and do but the entire province will delight those who decide to make the trip. With a car rental in Malaga, you can enjoy all that Huelva has to offer, taking in ancient fortresses, spectacular nature reserves, and brilliant beaches. Read on to discover just some of the things to see and do in Huelva.
Spend an afternoon at one of its many beaches
Andalucia is well known for its range of wonderful beaches and the province of Huelva more than holds its own in this regard. If you want to mix things up between site seeing and a bit of sun-seeking, there are lots of beaches to choose from. You can bask under the warm Andalusian sun on a string of great beaches on the Huelva coast, including El Portil, 3,600 metres long and set within a natural reservoir. This Blue Flag beach offers fine gold sand, showers, toilets, and plenty of parking. A little further afield is Matalascañas, which has walk-in access to the wonderful Doñana Natural Park. With plenty of sand, lovely warm water, water sports galore, and even places to grab a bite to eat, it’s well worth the trip.
Speaking about Matalascañas, Molly, from the Spanish travel blog Piccavey, shares: “The beach at Matalascañas is one of the most popular in Huelva. Bordering the Doñana Natural Park, there is an expanse of 4 kilometres of sand to enjoy. It does get busy here in summertime due to the excellent quality and easy access to the beach. There are plenty of services, showers, child’s play area, lifeguard, tourist office…. The beach is called La Torre de la Higuera, taking its name from the tower in the middle of the beach.”
READ ALSO: The best beaches to visit in Andalucía
Relax at Plaza de las Monjas
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When exploring the city of Huelva, a great place to take a break and relax is the lovely Plaza de las Monjas. With a bubbling fountain at its centre and plenty of places to sit, you can take a load off, watch the world go by, or enjoy a cup of coffee while reflecting on the day. There’s even a statue of famed explorer Christopher Columbus in the plaza. Huelva and Columbus have a close connection, as it was the port that the explorer first set sail for the New World. So, after you have done a bit of wondering, head over to the plaza, enjoy some tapas, a drink, and the local atmosphere of this quintessential European plaza.
Visit the ancient fortress of Castillo de Niebla
Castillo de Niebla is an ancient fortress located in the Huelva town of Niebla. Featuring dungeons, displays, and historic relics like canons, Castillo de Niebla is a fascinating window into the past. It is the best-preserved fortress in all of Andalucia, featuring Roman and Visigoth remains. Most of today’s fortress was built after the Reconquista (1492). It has received damage over the centuries due to earthquakes and the War of Independence with the French in the early 19th century, however, it’s incredible to see how well-preserved the castle actually is. The battlements and fortified towers are truly impressive, and visitors have plenty to see, including a room featuring instruments of torture.
Enjoy nature at Doñana National Park
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One of the premier attractions that should be visited on a trip to Huelva is certainly the majestic Doñana National Park. This natural reserve is mostly located in the Huelva province and covers a massive 209.65 sq. miles, 52.12 sq. miles of which is a protected area. The park is a World Heritage Site and features marshes, streams, sand dunes, beaches, and a delta. Doñana has a massive variety of ecosystems and is home to a huge range of natural life that is truly unique in Europe, including wildlife such as thousands of migratory birds, deer, wild boars, Egyptian mongooses, and endangered species like Iberian lynx and Spanish imperial eagles.
Whether you want to go bird watching or visit some amazing beaches, Doñana is a truly special escape to nature. You can even experience the park via boat, as Spain travel guide Toma & Coe explain: “The park is accessible by boat via the Guadalquivir river from the nearby town of Sanlucar de la Barrameda. Visitors can enter the park in the company of a knowledgeable private guide and spend a half-day exploring the variety of remarkable ecosystems that span the reserve.”
READ ALSO: The best nature parks in Andalucía
Sit down for a bite of local Huelva cuisine
One of the best ways to experience a new location is to try the local cuisine. This is especially true when in Andalucia and Huelva is no different. From the exceptional dried, cured tuna fish known as ‘Mojama de Isla Cristina’ to the sweet Spanish Ibérico ham called ‘Jabugo’, there is so much to savour.
The blog, Fascinating Spain, which provides a local view into the delights of Spain, have shared their own recommendations: “Settled next to the Doñana National Park, the town of Almonte hosts the famous village of El Rocío, a Marian shrine to which thousands of people make their pilgrimages each year. Both locations offer you a wide variety of products from the land and great gastronomic wealth. Eating in Almonte and El Rocío will allow you to taste the authentic cuisine of Huelva.”
Paulina, from the travel blog Visit Southern Spain, recommends La Teja Restaurant for those visiting Huelva: “For a casero (homecooked) lunch in a traditional setting, the La Teja restaurant is the place to go. Located in the Calle Arcipreste Manuel Gonzalez García on the Plaza de Andalucía, La Teja is a local favourite for imaginatively prepared fish dishes and fabulous desserts that will make your day. Hot tip: try their lemon meringue, it’s to die for!”
READ ALSO: How to plan a road trip in Andalucia
Find peace at one of Huelva’s monasteries
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When in Huelva, making a pilgrimage to one of Huelva’s beautiful monasteries is a must. For those seeking peace and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these quiet corners of Huelva are the perfect remedy.
Belonging to the Franciscan Friars, La Rabida Monastery in Huelva was the location where Christopher Columbus prayed before embarking on his voyage across the Atlantic. Today, visitors can enter the monastery and gardens to seek both peace and history. Matthias and Kent from the blog Destination the World, also note: “Close to the monastery is the Wharf of the Caravels, a museum with real-size replicas of Columbus’s ships. A visit on board the ships is possible and will give you a brief idea of how life could have been as a seafarer back in the day.”
The Hermitage of El Rocío is another incredible spot of seclusion to pay a visit. Found in the countryside of Almonte, this is the location of an important pilgrimage of a million pilgrims every year, known as ‘Romería de El Rocío’. The Hermitage is home to the altar of the Virgin of El Rocío, featuring a much venerated carved, wooden statue of the Virgin and Child.
What to see and do in Huelva, Spain
– Spend an afternoon at one of its many beaches
– Relax at Plaza de las Monjas
– Visit the ancient fortress of Castillo de Niebla
– Enjoy nature at Doñana national park
– Sit down for a bite of local Huelva cuisine
– Find peace at one of Huelva’s monasteries
As you can see, there are some wonderful activities and sites to enjoy in Huelva. Whether you want to visit only the city or the province at large, there is plenty of fun to be had and memories to be made in Huelva.
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