Province of Huelva, Spain
Do you want to know which places you can visit from Huelva? Do not miss the following compilation of the most beautiful places that you should visit in the province of Huelva.
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1. Aracena and the Gruta de las Maravillas
One of the greatest discoveries during my trip was Aracena. This town in the Huelva mountain range is located a little over 100 km from the capital and has a population of 8,000 inhabitants.
Aracena is surrounded by the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. The abundance of white houses presided over by the Aracena Castle together with the magnificent natural environment, makes Aracena one of the most beautiful towns in Huelva. I also consider Aracena as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
Gruta de las Maravillas
However, if I have to highlight something about this town, it has to be Gruta de las Maravillas, a huge cave discovered at the end of the 19th century that has a series of rooms where you can appreciate a wide variety of formations and lakes of different sizes and colors. The visit consists of a 45-minute circular circuit where you visit the place.
I am totally sincere when I say that it is one of the most incredible natural wonders in Spain. When you think you’re not going to be surprised anymore, you enter the next room and it manages to leave you even more speechless. Visiting this cave is one of the best things to do in the province of Huelva. Don’t miss it!
Hours of operation for Gruta de las Maravillas is from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 7 p.m. on weekends). It is closed on December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1 and 6.
Admission costs €15 and the tickets allows you to visit the Castle of Aracena and the ham museum, in addition to the Gruta de las Maravillas.
- Where to eat in Aracena: Experiencie By Fuster, Essentia.
- Where to stay in Aracena: Hotel Galería Essentia, Hotel Convento Aracena & SPA.
2. Almonte and El Rocio
A trip to Huelva (Spain) would not be complete without visiting the famous village of El Rocio, located in the Almonte region. As someone from Spain, I had heard many things about this place, but I never imagined that I would visit it. If you are in Huelva, I consider it a must-visit place since El Rocio hosts the most important religious celebration for the locals.
The pilgrimage of El Rocio is celebrated on the weekend of Pentecost. However, El Rocio is worth visiting at any time of the year. I also recommend you visit the town of Almonte and the Palacio del Acebron.
- Where to eat in El Rocio: Aires de Doñana.
- Where to stay in El Rocio: Santa Habitaciones Aldea del Rocío.
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3. Visiting Doñana National Park, one of the best day trips from Huelva
The Doñana National Park is one of the most emblematic places to visit in Huelva. In it you can enjoy a wide variety of natural landscapes (marshes, pine forests, dunes, beaches, etc.) and fauna, waterfowl and the Iberian lynx be some of them.
You can visit on your own or through an organized tour. If you go on your own, you will not be able to access all sections inside the park. For this reason, I think the best option is to book a guided tour of Doñana National Park.
4. Riotinto Mines and Tinto River
If you want to visit a piece of Mars on Earth, you must visit Rio Tinto Mining Park during your visit to Huelva. I recommend going to the viewpoint near the mines and visiting the Tinto River. The landscape is unique, it really seems that you are on another planet. You can also visit a mining museum, travel part of the section by train or even go to a mine.
5. City of Huelva, Spain
You may have heard that the city of Huelva does not stand out for its beauty, the locals themselves say so. I’m not going to lie to you either, it’s not one of the most beautiful cities I’ve visited in Spain. However, not only the extremely beautiful places are worth visiting.
The capital is one of the many places to visit in Huelva. Plus, it is the ideal starting point to start your trip through the province for different reasons. One of them is the welcoming and pleasant atmosphere that the city has, which you can experience on a first walk through its streets.
Check my guide about the best things to do in the city of Huelva to discover what to do there. If you want to know where to eat, I recommend Gran Vía Uno, Espacio Rubens, Azabache and Pura Vida icecream shop.
If you want to stay in the city, I recommend the next hotels:
- $: Hostal Huelva Art.
- $$: Senator Huelva.
- $$$: Exe Tartessos (my hotel).
Places to visit in the city of Huelva
These are the places to cannot miss during your visit to this city:
- Watch the sunset at the Tinto Pier. Probably one of the most beautiful sceneries in Huelva.
- Visit and have a drink in Monjas Square.
- Book a guided walking tour.
- Go shopping in Berdigon street and Concepción street.
- Visit Punto Square to see the Monument to the Virgen del Rocio and Casa Colon.
- Take a day trip to the Muelle Carabelas and La Rabida Monastery. If you have a car, you can visit both places on your own. If you don’t have a vehicle or want to book a guided tour, you can book this boat ride to the Wharf of the Caravels.
6. Cristina Island, one of the best day trips from Huelva
Another day trip from Huelva I suggest is Cristina Island, a small fishing village with charming beaches. This town near Huelva (Spain) is located just over 40 minutes by car from the capital and only 7 kilometers away from Portugal.
Something a bit different that I really enjoyed in Cristina Island was visiting the Biomaris Salt Flats. If you book a guided tour, you will be able to learn about the curious history of these salt flats, learn about the salt process and even take a dip in a pool rich in magnesium. Another place that you cannot miss in Cristina Island is Punta del Caiman beach. Other places you cannot miss here are the fish market and Punta del Caiman Beach.
Although if you want to enjoy the charm of this place like nobody else, I really recommend this pleasant boat trip through the marshes.
7. Linares de la Sierra
On my trip to Huelva, I didn’t have time to visit Linares de la Sierra but I was told that it is a small town with a special charm thanks to its cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. It has around 300 inhabitants and has a total area of 29 km². Do not forget to visit Saint John the Baptist Church, Plaza de la Fuente, Plaza Juan Ramon Jimenez, and the old wash houses and fountain.
From Linares de la Sierra, you can access several hiking trails: Camino de las Rutas del Agua, Camino Ribera de la Molinilla, Camino de las Umbrias, Camino de las Minas de Fatima, etc. If you are going to eat in Linares, I recommend Arrieros Restaurant or Balcon de Linares bar.
8. Moguer, home of Juan Ramon Jimenez
The town of Moguer is another place that is worth visiting during your stay in Huelva. This town in Huelva is the birthplace of of Juan Ramon Jimenez, author of the famous work Platero y yo (Platero and I), something that you can see present in many of the corners of the town. On the other hand, Moguer has historical importance in the Discovery of America since the caravel La Niña was built in its port.
Do not miss the following must-see places in Moguer: Zenobia and Juan Ramon Jimenez House Museum, Felipe Godinez Municipal Theater, the birthplace of Juan Ramon Jimenez, the Monastery of Santa Clara, the Monjas Square and the Open-air Museum Moguer EScultura.
9. Niebla and its astonishing castle
The town of Niebla, located next to the Tinto River, is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Huelva. Its incredible castle and walled enclosure stand out. Other places that you cannot miss during your visit to Niebla are the Church of Santa Maria de la Granada, the Roman bridge and the Church of San Martin.
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10. Going to the beach in Punta Umbria
The coastal region of Punta Umbria is one of the most popular beach destinations in Huelva. What better way to end your trip than with a couple of relaxing days on the beach? If you prefer, you can also escape the city because it is located about 20 minutes by car from Huelva. I recommend visiting Playa de los Enebrales and taking this sunset cruise along the Punta Umbría estuary.
- Where to eat in Punta Umbria: Casa Diego Restaurant.
- Where to stay in Punta Umbria: Barceló Punta Umbría Beach Resort.
11. Alajar and Peña de Arias Montano
Although I didn’t get to visit Alajar, a small town of white houses located in Sierra de Huelva, I did visit a viewpoint where it looked very good. Therefore, I had to include Alajar in this list of places to visit in Huelva, Spain. Take a walk through its streets and do not forget to visit the Church of Saint Marcos. Although the the best place to visit is where the photo above was taken, Peña de Arias Montano. Here you will also find the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Angels.
12. Wharf of the Caravels
In Palos de la Frontera, just 10 km from the city, you can find one of the most popular tourist attractions in Huelva. Every day, the Wharf of the Caravels receives hundreds of visitors who want to see the replicas of the 3 ships that left for America in 1492.
If you are in the area, I also recommend visiting the Monastery of Santa Maria de la Rabida, where Columbus prepared his trip. If you want to get to know this emblematic place in a different way, I recommend this boat trip in Wharf of the Caravels.
13. San Bartolome de la Torre
This small town in Huelva wants to be the happiest town in Spain. To do this, San Bartalome de la Torre is implementing a series of measures to improve the quality of life of all residents, in addition to decorating the streets with handicrafts made by locals. If you pass near the town, do not hesitate to visit it and have a drink on a terrace. I’m sure it’ll make you happy!
14. Odiel’s marshes
You cannot miss Marismas del Odiel if you are into nature. It is located at the mouth of the Odiel River and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1983. If you visit it, you will be in front of the most important tidal marshes in the Iberian Peninsula. Every year, thousands of birds pass through here during their migration from different parts of Europe to Africa. If you want to do something unique, I recommend taking this boat trip through Odiel Marshes at sunset.
15. Cortegana, a charming white town to visit in Huelva province
This town had to be included in this list because it’s one of the most beautiful towns to visit in Huelva, also located in the mountains. The main tourist attraction in Cortegana is the castle, whose origin is not exactly known. Its surrounding nature populated by chestnut and holm oak forests end up creating one of the most beautiful landscapes you will see in Huelva.
16. El Dolmen de Soto
If you want to travel to the past, a place that will allow you to do it is Dolmen del Soto, located in the Trigueros, just 23 kilometers from the city of Huelva. Its origin dates back to 3000 and 2500 BC. It was discovered in the 1923. During the excavation, eight bodies were found in a squatting position. The corridor is 21 meters long and its chamber is 3.10 meters wide.
The Dolmen de Soto is one of the greatest artistic representations of the Neolithic culture in southern Spain. You can visit for free. Admission costs €2. Guided tours are also possible.
17. Ayamonte
Ayamonte is another town in Huelva that has to be included in this article. This town is located next to the Guadiana River mouth and the border with Portugal. It is a quiet fishing village full of white houses. One of the central paces in Ayamonte is Laguna Square, which is also a popular meeting point for locals.
If you are going to visit Ayamonte, do not forget to visit the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, the Church of El Salvador and the Paseo de la Ribera. A little further south, just 6 km away, is Canela Island, where you can enjoy several beaches.
18. Almonaster la Real
Between Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, there is a small town with few inhabitants called Almonaster la Real, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. In 1982 it was cataloged as a Historic-Artistic Site. Its whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and attractive architecture will make you understand why.
If you decide to visit this village in Huelva, Spain, don’t forget to visit Almonaster La Real Mosque, the Almonaster la Real Castle, the Concejo Fountain and Camino Llano Viewpoint.
19. Sanlucar de Guadiana, another beautiful town in Huelva (Spain)
Sanlúcar de Guadiana is another of Huelva’s most attractive towns. This small town with white houses is located next to the Guadiana River. In the 19th century, its port became quite important, since products such as sugar, rice, soap, lead and liquor were exported from here.
Best beaches in Huelva
If you are going to visit Huelva in the hottest months of the year, you will surely be interested in knowing which are the best beaches in Huelva, Spain. Apart from Punta Umbría Beach, some of the beaches that you cannot miss during your visit to Huelva are the following:
- El Rompido Beach. The beaches in El Rompido are some of the wildest in Costa de la Luz. You will love them!
- Cuesta Maneli beach. Located next to Doñana, it is one of the best beaches in Huelva. It has miles of fine golden sand and can be accessed through a wooden walkway.
- Rompeculos beach. Extensive virgin beach located next to Cuesta Maneli Beach.
- De la Bota Beach. It is located in Punta Umbria. It is 3,800 meters long and sometimes up to 300 meters wide.
Where to stay in Huelva, Spain
Below, you’ll find a list of the hotels I stayed in during my visit in Huelva, Spain. I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of the hotels on the list. If you need more information about this, check my post on where to stay in Huelva.
- Huelva city: Exe Tartessos.
- Aracena: Hotel Convento Aracena & Spa.
- Punta Umbria: Barceló Punta Umbría Beach Resort.
Map of the best day trips from Huelva
Here you’ll find a map and all the places we have discussed in this article:
Check my guide to travel to Spain to keep exploring this country.
I hope that this post about the best day trips from Huelva has been very useful to you when planning your visit to this province of Andalusia. If you have any doubts or questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or email me.
