Donana
National Park
The largest and most famous of the Spanish
National Parks. Salt marshes, lagoons, dunes, the
scenery is always shifting as the water
elevations rise and fall. Thousands of geese and
flamingos gather here in the winter. In the
Spring, this may be one of the busiest places in
bird  land, with
thousands of nests from dozens of species
spilling out chicks, including: blackbirds,
doves, eagle, egrets, herons, magpies, pigeon,
spoonbills, storks and thrushes. You will also
find deer, polecat, badger and boar roaming the
dunes, or even a lynx or mongoose (the only place
in Europe you'll find them).
Sierra Norte Nature
Park
A wonderful area within the Sierra Morena
mountains, of holm, cork, and oak tree groves,
where the river Ribera del Huéznar is born in
the San Nicolás Pass. This is an unpopulated
area, used in some seasons as a hunting preserve.
Deer and wild boar are everywhere – you may
even see a few lynx.
Grazalema Natural
Park
In the region known for its "white
towns" this is the heart of Andalucia,
sitting in a cup formed by Sevilla, Cadiz, and
Malaga. Go rock-climbing, hiking, hang-gliding,
horseback riding, biking in an area that has been
held by the Iberians, Celts, Romans, Visigoths,
and Arabs. If all that hiking leaves you hot and
sweaty – head for the caves!
The city of Huelva
Huelva claims to be a 'flamenco capital', and
several of the city's splendid old buildings and
monuments remain, including the 15th century
Church of San Pedro, built on the site of a
mosque; the Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Cinta
and, last but not least, the home of Christopher
Columbus next to his commemorative monument.
Wander around the atmospheric barrio Reina
Victoria Alonso or visit the Alonso Sanchez park
which affords attractive views of the city.
Provincial Museum
Houses an impressive archaeological collection
with exhibits which range from the early Stone
Age to Muslim times. There's abundant Tartessos
culture material, a reconstruction of a celtic
house and plenty of stuff on the province's
mining history including a huge Roman water wheel
found at Minas de Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto Pier
A fine iron pier curving out into the Odiel
estuary about half a kilometre south of the port.
It was built for the Rio Tinto company in the
1870's by Geoge Barclay Bruce, a British disciple
of tower specialist Gustave Eiffel.
Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Cinta
This chapel is located 2 kms north of the city
centre off Avenida de Manuel Siurot was visited
by Columbus before he embarked on his momentous
voyage and this event was portrayed in tiles by
artist, Daniel Zuloaga.
The Surrounding
Area
To the West is the Portuguese Algarve,
with its own well known selection of golf clubs
and beaches. To the North are the mountains and
lakes of the Sierra Morena. To the East is the
famous, beautiful and historic city of Sevilla
with its attractions that include the St Louis
Church, Muralla de la Macarena, Plaza de la
Encarnacion, Barrio de Santa Cruz, Isla Magica,
the Cathedral and Alameda de Hercules. To the
South are the famous cities of Jerez (the centre
of the Sherry region) and the port of Cadiz.
Water sports
Good weather, spring-like temperatures, excellent
winds and all kind of sea conditions and currents
have made this area a paradise for all types of
water sport and recreation, with special mention
to windsurfing, sailing, surfing, canoeing and
water skiing. In addition, the nearest beach is
situated in the mouth of an estuary, hence
offering calm and safe waters for childrens
activities. There is also a large water-park in
the nearby town of Cartaya.
Other Activities
For Sports, the Spanish Algarve has a
huge variety of different facilities available
for the more sporting visitor, from water-skiing
to game fishing. Other sports that are catered
for in the region include golf, tennis, fishing,
ballooning, horse riding & trekking, sailing,
yacht clubs, scuba diving and much much more.
Further details of
these attractions along with forthcoming events
will be available in the Villa.
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