Out & About in Spain

Ayamonte & Isla Canela

Click here to go to the Ayamonte & Isla Canela page.

Villablanca

This beautifully picturesque pueblo is located in the heart of the countryside with lovely views over the valley of orange orchards, olive groves and strawberry fields, with many traditional white houses. It’s a tranquil location to get away from it all; sitting in the village square, relaxing with a coffee on the cobbled village streets whilst the horse and cart passes by. And a Spanish web site provides interesting background and photos.

Sanlucar de Guadiana

This picturesque border town situated on the banks of the River Guadiana is just 20 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. One of Spain's pueblos blancos, steeped in history with it's castle dating back to the twelfth century, the port of Sanlucar de Guadiana gained prominence in the first half of the nineteenth century when it was used as a base to export such crops as rice, soap, lead and wood.

Now, however, the only boats to be seen are those of visiting yachtsmen and the local fishermen who live in the village. The surrounding areas are renowned for their now dormant mines and the Rio Tinto mines are reputed to be the oldest mines in the world. According to myth, these are the fabled mines of King Solomon.

The village has two general stores, a bakers, post office and four bar/restaurants and with an average meal out costing around 6 euros per person, you are sure to be delighted with this taste of old Spain.

With Portugal's Alcoutim just a minute's ferry ride across the river, you are able to enjoy two cultures in two different time zones.

* 12 Century Castle
* Ferry to Alcoutim

Lepe
A small regional market town and the strawberry capital of Spain. It has a good variety of “practical” shops (furniture, lamps, etc.) for the property owner and there are also a few restaurants and bars to rest in afterwards. Lepe’s claim to fame as far as the British are concerned is that the town is mentioned by Chaucer (whose father was a vintner) in the Pardoner’s Tale. He says that the potent white wine of Lepe “creepeth subtilly so that when a man hath drunken draughtes three, and weneth he be at hoom in Chepe, He is in Spaigne, right at the toune of Lepe”. The residents of Lepe are the butt of jokes by the rest of Spain along the lines of Irish jokes in Britain. The town has tried to capitalise on this and holds an annual jokes festival during the last week of May.

And a Spanish web site provides interesting background and photos.

* Torre Del Catalan 16th-17th Century
* Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Mudéjar, 14th Century)
* Capilla de San Cristobal (Mudéjar, 13th Century)

Restaurants
* Chinese 200 metres up road to La Antilla on left hand side from traffic lights on bypass

Isla Cristina
Located in the western part of the province, in Costa de la Luz , Isla Cristina is a modern town with a long seafaring tradition, a great place all sorts of regional products, from salted meats to canned fish. Once an island but now surrounded by marshes this town constitutes an important fishing port & popular summer resort. There are magnificent beaches backed by dunes and pine trees and marine resorts. The marshes of the Isla Cristina Nature Park contain habitats with different salinity levels, with a rich and diverse flora, with a remarkable number of birds. There are twelve kilometres of golden sand beaches, transparent waters and three thousand hours of sun a year, with great conditions for practising surf and other water sports. There is a seafront paved and lit, with Chiringuitos, cafes and restaurants with patios surrounded by a tier of pines and eucalyptuses. Game fishing available in the Arreras estuary or at sea. Tuna & sardines provide the bulk of the town’s catch. Between Islantilla & Isla Cristina is a pretty provincial park with excellent beaches and majestic surf.
* Yachting harbour

Flamenco
* At Las Canas & La Rosca on Calle San Antonio and Gonzalo Calle Romeo, and
* Pena flamenco La Higuerita Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles – check for performances at the tourist office

Restaurants
Well known for good fish restaurants and cafes on the main seafront which serve freshly landed fish & seafood.
* Acosta & Reyes on Plaza de las Flores are both recommended for fish.
* Casa Rufino on Carretera de la Playa does a house special of 8 kinds of fish each with a matching sauce

Tapas Bars
* Casino (turn of the century) on Plaza de las Flores and Puerta del Sol, calle Condo del Vallelano

Tourist Info – Gran Via 43

Islantilla/La Antilla

The Spanish holiday resort of Islantilla is located just 20kms east of the Spain-Portugal border. The original town of La Antilla has now mushroomed beyond recognition based around a Confortel resort with a considerable construction both along the beach and around the golf course into Islantilla. The coastline is an endless stretch of fine golden sandy beach complete with a delightful promenade perfect for walking or cycling. There are numerous traditional Spanish cafes and restaurants along the beachfront great for sampling the local cuisine and the fresh catch of the day. The resort has a well-established commercial centre providing good shops and boutiques and other facilities. The town comes alive in the summer months when Spanish holidaymakers from Seville and Madrid come to enjoy the area. At the back of the resort is the popular Islantilla Campo de Golf development, which is a unique 27-hole course, combining championship standard golf with holiday home complexes. Holes 1-18 are of challenging championship standard that played host to the 1996 Tour Espana Competition.
* Excellent 27 hole golf course.
* Nudist beach (Allegedly - not yet personally checked out)

Restaurants
* Cerveceria Estoril, Avenida de Castilla
‘Where locals flock’
* Casa Rodr Feria, Calle Adelfa just off Avenida de Castilla
‘A good value menu’.
* Feria, Avenida de Castilla
‘This is excellent for fish and also serves tapas’.
* Pizzeria Pavarotti, To find it, head into town from the beach along the Lepe road, turning right (east) along Avenida El Terron, where its on the 2nd corner on right
'Excellent food. Tagliatelle al samone is recommended and pizzas with free garlic bread.
Coral Playa, Corner of Paseo Marítimo. Calle Estrella de Mar, 3
‘Close to the hotels and golf course at Islantilla this a great choice for your lunch or evening dinner. Although this is not the most refined of dining rooms, the lack of ambiance is more than made up for by the great food, particularly the fish dishes, and the good wine and friendly service. Little English is spoken here, but that is half the fun of an evening out in a new place!’
‘The Coral Playa offers good value for money and great food. The swordfish and the dorada in particular are worth having, and the soups and consommes are also excellent. Worth a visit.’

El Terron

El Terron is a tiny fishing port some 5km south of Lepe and boasts one of the best fish restaurants in the area - El Ancla, located on the harbour and specialising in fried and marinated prawns. It sits on the marshy flatlands of the Rio Pedras, which is heavily agricultural and the area where many of the stocky black thoroughbred bulls are reared for bull fighting.
* Aula Marina aquarium (April-Oct 10-14 & 17-21 2.5€)

Restaurants
* El Ancla
Serious fish lovers should seek out this surprisingly classy spot at the fisherman’s marina specialising in deep sea fish.

Cartaya

Cartaya is surrounded by marvellous natural landscapes like Piedras and la Flecha del Rompido marshes, and nearby many kilometres of wonderful beaches.
* Remains of the Roman Castle Zuñigas (see photo)
* The Church of Saint Pedro
* 15th Century Hermitage of La Consolacion
* Karting at Kartodromo de Cartaya
* Water Park at Aquopolis

El Rompido

A gritty fishing village at the mouth of Rio Piedras with striking beaches and many good bars and restaurants. A long sandbar shelters sandy beaches on both sides of the estuary from the worst of the Atlantic, which gives it its name. High dunes covered with umbrella pines and junipers stand behind the beaches. It’s the age old Spanish story. A village about to be consumed/subsumed by tourism, which still (just) belongs to villagers. Two streets of little white houses with big pantiles and crinkly eaves run side by side along the riverbank. Through gaps between the houses there are glimpses of the working boats – trawlers, chunky little fishing boats - all too rustic for the new marina.
* Combined Church and Town Hall
* 17th Century Convent of Las Mercedes
* El Rompido Golf Club

Restaurants
There are around a dozen with mainly local clientele even in summer
* La Patera calle Nao 1.
Bustling semi formal fish restaurant with striking tiled bar and views across the water and delightful funky café opening onto beach. Serves excellent fish.

El Portil / Nuevo Portil

The resort of Nuevo Portil is situated on a beautiful stretch of coastline covered with Andalusian pine forests that go all the way down to the endless golden beach backed by sand dunes. To add to Nuevo Portil´s picturesque setting it is nestled behind a sandbank peninsular that creates a natural harbour and inlet for fishing and sailing boats and a fantastic place for water sports. The Nuevo Portil resort itself provides excellent facilities with driving range, large putting and chipping area, clubhouse, and 4 star hotel with gymnasium, sauna and restaurants.

The adjoining town of El Portil provides all the necessary amenities of shops and bars, and restaurants with excellent sea views perfect for relaxing after a game of golf or a day on the beach.

* Golf Course

Punta Umbria

Sandwiched between the banks of the Rio Odiel and the west facing brown sand beaches backed by calm lagoons and pine trees. A bustling getaway in July/August for Huelvans. Small port & sailing club. A bustling summer venue with an old fashioned charm. The British who operated Rio Tinto mines built holiday homes here at the end of the 19th century.
Opposite Punta Umbria there are 8km of fine beaches reached via Aljaraque.

One feature that distinguishes Punta Umbría from other beaches is the “Ría” that forms part of the estuary where the Tinto and Odiel rivers flow into the sea. A walk through the los Enebrales natural park allows you to enjoy the local scenery much of it still unspoiled with junipers, broom, pine trees and a rich variety of fauna. The El Portil lagoon, formed by the blocking up of streams due to the shifting dunes, is home to one of the largest colonies of chameleons in the entire west coast of Huelva. Another important Nature Reserve is the Marismas del Odiel, a marsh-based ecosystem with a tidal dynamic that is home to numerous species of plants and significant colonies of birds, in particular flamingos.

Restaurants
* El Valero Pas Ria, Family run fish restaurant across the street from docks and fish market.
'Great seafood gaspacho'
* La Esperanza Plaza Perez Pastor 7.
'Good range of daily specials most of local fish.'
* Bar Chimbito Paseo de Pascasio
'A kitsch old ferry boat with plenty of atmosphere actually on the water, serving tasty seafood tapas & raciones.'

Tourist Office: 959 31 46 19 Avenida Ciudad de Huelva Mon-Fri 8-15 & 16-20, Sat & Sun 10-14.

Gibraleon

To the north of Huelva is the town of Gibraleón with a population of 10,000. Lying on the Odiel River, Gibraleón is a quiet town of whitewashed houses. Before the construction of the new dual carriageway to Portugal, it was necessary to pass through the town as the N431 loops up from Huelva in order to traverse the river. Now, however, it is not necessary to do so and Gibraleón attracts few visitors. There is a train station in the town which runs north through the interior of Spain and south to Huelva and from there on to Sevilla.

* 14th Century Chapel of El Carmen
* 16th Century Church of Santiago
* Convent of Las Dominicas
* Convent of Las Mercedarias

Tourist Information: 959 30 02 11

Trigueros

Situated between two rivers, the Tinto and the Odiel, many tributaries of these rivers snake across the land surrounding Trigueros making it a fertile area. Trigueros is surrounded by both agricultural land and forests of eucalyptus, oaks and cork oaks. Constructed on the ruins of a Roman village known as Conistorgis, there have been Roman graves and shrines found in the area but evidence of human occupation of this area stretches back further than this. Nearby are the Dolmen de Soto, stones which date back to 300 years BC. The remains of a Muslim castle can be seen in Trigueros.

On 17th of January each year, the festival of San Antón is held in Trigueros when the saint is paraded through the streets and the locals throw legs of ham, bread, money and other objects at his image. Trigueros is a town of 7000 inhabitants and contains basic amenities. The parish church of San Antón dates back to the 14th century but was largely destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, its façade and tower were reconstructed in the style of the baroque.
* Magnificent parish church of San Anton containing important artistic objects

Beas

This village of 4000 people is situated in flat, agricultural land to the north of Trigueros. Beas is famous for its belenes vivientes, or “living nativities which are held at Christmas. Almost 100 people take part in these living nativities which feature, along with the obvious figures, washerwomen, bakers and blacksmiths. Over 30,000 people visit Beas at Christmas to see the living nativity.

San Juan Del Puerto

Located on the banks of the Río Tinto Estuary, San Juan del Puerto is a pretty town of 6000 people. Surrounded by agricultural land, the Río Tinto has influenced the history of the town. There is a large paper mill here and traditionally San Juan has been involved in exports from the Río Tinto mines. There is a bridge in San Juan that dates back to Roman times, and a working bullring. There are 4 guesthouses in the town and a few bars, restaurants and shops.
* Parish Church
* Remains of 16th Century Carmelite Convent

Huelva
Capital of Huelva province. Important for centuries at the confluence of Rios Odiel & Tinto, sheltered by an offshore sandbank, it was a natural location for both fishing and shipment of goods notably the copper from the Rio Tinto mines. Once known as Onuba Estuario by the Romans and the ancient Onos Baal (fortress of Baal) by the Tartessians. Siezed from the Arabs by Alfonso X in 1257.
It was hit hard by the 1755 earthquake, but now consists of a pleasant blend of 18th & 19th Century palaces. The main square is Plaza Monjas, the hub for pedestrian streets, shops, bars and restaurants.
But do ignore the grimy petrochemical plants spewing smoke & ketones, as you travel towards Matalascanas.
* Cathedral of La Merced – originally a Mercedarian convent converted into a cathedral in the 18th century.
* Church of Saint Pedro – 16th Century pre earthquake
* Church of La Concepcion – a post quake reconstruction of a 14th Century church with excellent paintings by Zurbaran
* Museo de Huelva – Avenida Sundheim 13, Tue 15-20, Wed-Sat 09-20, Sun 09-15. Free. It mixes art and history. The archaeological collections deal with ancient Tartessos and subsequent Phoenician, Greek & Roman occupations. The Fine arts collection is drably academic but temporary exhibitions are often ambitious.
* Sanctuario de Nuestra Senora de La Cinta. Off Avenida Manuel Surot. Mon-Sat 10-14. Free. Stands 2km north of city centre on high cliffs overlooking Rio Odiel. Visited by Columbus before his first voyage for extra divine intervention. Good views over the Odiel estuary and wetlands to the west. The attached convent is draped in bougainvillaea and surrounded by gorgeous gardens emphasising the grace of monastic life.
* The Gran Teatro
* Barrio Obrera Reina Victoria – an area of black and white half timber houses started in the 19th century and finished in 1917 for the British workers at the Rio Tinto mines. The stairs emphasise the separation from the city as does the English bungalow style of the lovely maintained (and much modified) houses with colourful gardens. Many elderly residents claim to have spent their lives in the barrio, and may give barrio history lessons – in Spanish.
* British architecture of Casa Colon and the Mineral Wharf – an impressive iron pier curving out into the Odiel estuary about 500m south of the port. It was designed and completed by George Barclay Bruce in 1876, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel.
At Puerto Rio Odiel there is an hourly ferry in July/August to Punta Umbria.

Tourist Information: 959 24 74 03 Avenida Alemania 14

La Rabida

Monastery where Columbus came and met Abbot Juan Perez, who being former Accountant & Confessor of Queen Isabella, was able to win the Queen's backing.

* Note the Columbus monument, in the style of a prizefighter, in Punta del Sebo (Whitney 1929) on right hand side at around km 17.
* 14th Century Mudejar Monastery where Columbus got agreement for his voyage to Asia, and actually found the Americas. See the refectory where he ate his farewell meal in La Rabida, and the agreement that he would get 10% of the proceeds AFTER expenses. Audio guides Tue-Sun 10-13, 16-19
* Caravel Wharf with replicas of the 3 ships, Nina, Santa Maria & Pinto which sailed to the Americas, together with models of crew and Indians they brought back. Interesting video of how the replica ships were built. Tue-Sun 10-14, 17-21
* Jose Celestino Mutis Botanical Gardens – examples of native & Latin American flora - though a recent visitor said "boring"

Palos de la Frontera

Originally a seafaring town from which came the Pinzon brothers who were Captains of 2 of the ships to the Americas, but now principally an agricultural centre especially strawberries. Columbus ships set sail from here to Ayamonte for final provisions. Harbour was silted up by Rio Tinto. Plaques on harbour honour sailors and wives. Suffered heavily in 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
* 14th Century Church of San Jorge. Columbus & crew attended mass, before boarding the Santa Maria at the now silted up pier.
* La Fontanilla – a spring with Mudejar cover from which it is said Columbus took water for his voyage
* Statue of Martin Alonso Pinzon
* Casa Martin Alonso Pinzon. Museum with displays for brothers and other town history.

Restaurants
* La Pinta Calle Rabida.
Close to main square. Serves local fish, and regional beef & veal.

Tourist Office: Calle Colon. Provides sketchy map of Columbus sites

Moguer

A beautiful village with typical white Gothic & Baroque Andalusian houses. Also known for delicate pastries and orange flavoured wine. Nearly half the crew of the first voyage came from Moguer.
* Convent of Santa Clara – founded in 1338 – where Columbus went to give thanks after his first voyage for weathering a storm off the Azores. In Gothic-Mudejar style with crenellated walls. Also contains Museum of Sacred Art of Huelva. Admire the 29 14th century carved choir seats and alabaster tomb of founder Jofre Tenorio Also some splendid stone carved Mudejar cloisters. The nun’s dormitory, kitchen and refectory capture some of the atmosphere of their life inside the enclosure. Open with tours leaving Tue-Sat at 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19. 20.
* Birthplace/Museum of Zenobia & Juan Ramon Jimenez – dedicated to Nobel prize winning poet. Author of Platero & I, about a donkey. Visits Tue-Sat at 10.15, 11,15, 12.15, 13.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15. Sun 10.15, 11,15, 12.15, 13.15
* Church of Santa Maria of Granada. Daily Mass at 20.30
* 18th Century Town Hall. (See photo) Mon-Fri 10.30-14.30, in front of a Jimenez statue
* Convent of San Francisco.

Restaurants
* Bar Cerveceria El Pasaje.
Lots (72) of nice montadito (open rolls) bar in street alongside Santa Clara Open till 15.00
* La Paralla Opposite Santa Clara.
Regional seafood and pork dishes
And do go into Bar Sister opposite Santa Clara to see height of ceiling. It used to be part of the Convent.

Tourist Office. Well signed. In the interior of the old castle Mon-Sat 9-14, 16.30-19. Sun 10-15. Interesting Tapas route guide – not so much a pub crawl more a tasty waddle.

Mazagon

Wonderful beach surrounded by extensive pinewoods and a marine harbour with 516 berths. The town sits on the mainland across a narrow channel from the southern tip of the barrier island Isla de Saltes.

Restaurants
* Cafetaria Europa Avenida Conquistadores 18.
Like many restaurants, serves a menu plus the catch of the day, but has no condiments on tables as chef considers he has already seasoned everything perfectly!
* Parador 2 km south of Mazagon.
Dining room specialises in local shellfish, as well as jabugo hams & pates. Also does sandwiches.

Matalascanas
A large tourist centre with substantial hotel capacity and tourist infrastructure. Built despite protest from the Donana nature reserve. Paved seaside promenade on Playa Castilla. Dozens of shellfisherman.
* Golf Dunas de Donana.
* Club Hipico El Pasodoble. Found by taking a road on right just before reaching Golf Dunas de Donana. Offers 2hr & 4 hr guided rides in the dunes and along the beaches. 9-12, 18-22. 959 44 82 41

Restaurant
* Bajo Guia, Paseo Maritimo.
'Barbecue and rotisserie chicken in addition to fish'.

Tourist Information: Avenida de las Adelfas Mon-Sat 959 43 00 86

El Rocio
The village is home to the image of the Virgen del Rocio (Virgin of the Dew). Each year on the Sat, Sun & Mon of Pentecost (7th Sunday after Easter) up to a million pilgrims descend on the village for the Romeria del Rocio. The 70 brotherhoods will have travelled from all parts of Spain in colourfully decorated wagons often pulled by tractors, sometimes in ox-carts or on horseback, sometimes dressed in traditional or flamenco garb and partying heavily. At other times, El Rocio has the appearance of a Western city, as most of the buildings are empty, roads are very wide and apart from the main street, they are unmade, often of soft sand, and residents travel on horseback, with hitching posts outside buildings. (see photo)
* Basilica Paloma Blance Plaza Ermita 08.30-19.30. Current shrine to the Virgen del Rocio
* Observatorio Madre del Rocio – by river 150m east of Hotel Toruno. Mon-Thu 9-15, Fri-Sun 10.30-13.30 & 14.30-17.30. Blinds for observing waterfowl.

Tourist Information
Centro SEO de Informacion Calle Ajoli. Information on El Rocio and nearby birding

Almonte
Whilst the main road bypasses the town centre, its worth a detour for delightful churches and local food.
* 16th Century Ayuntamiento
* 8th Century Iglesia de la Asuncion 10-14. Design was influenced by Mexican colonial churches
* 17th Century Ermita del Cristo calle del Cerro
* Ermita de San Bartolome – Calle de Santiago
* Hospital de la Sangre

Restaurants
* Small bar/restaurants around Plaza Virgen de los Reyes serving bread, local Condado wine and bowls of either
- sopa marismena (chicken & rabbit soup) or
- sopeao (gazpacho with onion)

Manzanilla

Despite sharing its name with the famous sherry produced in Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the other side of the Guadalquivir river, the village of Manzanilla is not itself involved in sherry production. Of Roman origin, Manzanilla has been involved in the production of grapes, olives and wheat for centuries. Manzanilla itself is an attractive village with a lovely parish church, the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Valle, the chapel of San Roque and a pretty main village square. The festival of San Roque is held here in August. Manzanilla is a village of 2500 people, there are no guesthouses in the village, one restaurant and a bar.
* Baroque Parish Church
* Shrine of Nuestra Senora del Valle
* Hermitage of San Roque

Villalba del Alcor

Surrounded by agricultural land, Villalba is a village of 3500 inhabitants. It is known for its production of leather goods including tobacco pouches, gun cases, cartridge belts and saddles. An historic village, the parish church of San Bartolomé is quite stunning. It is a large, attractive building built of brick in Mudéjar style by Moorish craftsmen.
* Church of San Bartolome with 2 Gothic porticos
* Convent of Las Carmelitas
* Hermitage of Santa Agueda
* Hermitage of Trinidad
* Plus several Mudejar, Gothic & Baroque houses

La Palma del Condado
Located at the centre of Niebla y El Condado, La Palma was traditionally the main town of the area with a population of 9000. It is of Roman origins and is an attractive town, which is renowned for its production of quality wine. During May, the Festival of the Cross is held in La Palma and the streets are transformed with colourful decorations. In September, the town’s close association with wine production is celebrated with the annual Grape Harvest Festival. A few kilometres north of La Palma lies the Curumbel Bajo Reservoir, a small road travels past the reservoir’s dam. A town of Roman origins famous for its wines.

The town’s unusual 17th century parish church of San Jaun Bautista was designed by the well-known architect, A.M. de Fidueroa. It is built in a baroque style with several fanciful, tiled towers. Other buildings of note include: La Ermita Castillo del Valle, a hermitage dating from the 15th century, the 17th century Iglesia de las Carmelitas and the remains of the Moorish castle.

* Church of San Juan Bautista
* Convent of Las Carmelitas
* Convent of Las Hermanas de la Cruz
* 15th Century Mudejar Hermitage of El Valle

Bonares
* Neo Classical Parish Church (see photo)
* Town hall

Niebla
Origins go back to start of the Iron Age – 700 BC. The town is still within the original limits of the ancient settlement, and is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval towns in Andalucia. The Tartessians are reputed to have built the first city wall, part of which still stands. After the Tartessians came the Romans, Visigoths and the Moors. The city was fortified and refortified until its decline in the 16th century. A walk around the town, within the walls and through the particularly large Alcazar is to step back into a completely different era.
* 2nd century Roman bridge over the River Tinto. It is crossed to reach the city, and whilst destroyed in the Civil war, has been carefully restored.
* A perfectly preserved red-ochre Arabic wall with 50 towers and 4 or 5 gateways: the walled enclosure that enclosed the ancient city measures 1735m. The walls and towers, measuring 16m high by 14m wide, are pierced by the gateways of Sevilla, El Socerro, El Buey & El Agua, predominantly Arabic style at times giving way to earlier Roman or later Mudejar influences.
* The enormous castle of los Condes de Niebla – primitive Almohad construction (entrance 4E). Also known as “ Castillo de los Guzmanes” (Mon-Sun 959 36 22 70) dates from the 12th century with later alterations by Enrique de Guzman in the 15th Century. For a truly romantic evening take in one of the theatrical productions which are staged in the summer months.
* The Mezquita-Iglesia (Mosque/Church) of Nuestra Senora Santa Maria de la Granada, Plaza Santa Maria combines the features of a 10th century Gothic-Mudejar church and a Mosque in one building.
* The Hospital of Santa Maria
* On the outskirts of the town are the remains of Doman de Soto and Dolmenes de la Hueca – two ancient necropoli.

Tourist Information – 959 36 22 70. Plaza Santa Maria (10.00-18.00) has information on all historic buildings and performances in the castle
And do have a look at the excellent web site with lots of history about the town and castle.

Bollullos del Condado
Another town famed for its quality wine production, Bollullos is a traditional Andalucían town of narrow streets and white houses. Bollullos is perhaps the largest wine growing areas in Andalucía, producing over 40 million litres per year. There are bodegas and wine cellars that can be visited and there is also a museum in the town documenting the history of wine production in the area. Festivals in Bollullos include the Spicy Sausage Day (Día de los chorizos) held on the 20th of January; starting with a pig slaughter in the morning and is followed by a day of sausage consumption. Bollullos has a population of 12000 people. There are a number of bars, restaurants, shops and hotels in the town, Bollullos having a particularly good reputation for its fish restaurants. The baroque Santiago church is notable, as is the 18th century town hall designed by A.M. de Figueroa.
* Mudejar Church of Santiago
* Town Hall
* Hermitage of Jesus
* Shrine of Las Mercedes
* Convent of San Juan

Donana

The Parque Nacional de Doñana is one of Europe's most important wetland reserves and a major site for migrating birds. It is an immense area; the parque itself and surrounding parque natural or Entorno de Doñana (a protected buffer zone) amount to over 1,300 sq km in the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla and Cádiz. It is internationally recognised for its great ecological wealth, and has become a key centre in the world of conservation.

Doñana is also well known for its enormous variety of bird species, either permanent residents, winter visitors from north and central Europe or summer visitors from Africa, like its numerous types of geese and colourful colonies of flamingo. It has one of the world's largest colonies of Spanish imperial eagles. The park as a whole comprises three distinct kinds of ecosystem: the marismas, the Mediterranean scrublands and the coastal mobile dunes with their beaches.
* Parque Nacional De Donana Tel No.959 430 432
There are half day trips operated from the Acebuche Visitor Centre, a few minutes from Matalascanas. The trips run at 8.30 & 15.00 in the winter, and cost 21 Euros per person. The enquiry desk speaks English. They have an English speaking guide, but you need to ask what day the tours are in English.

For information on other full day tours see Birding or have a look at this article.

Rio Tinto Mines

Arising out of the midst of the surrounding greenery, the giant opencast mines of Rio Tinto create a surreal, almost lunar landscape. The removal of layer upon layer of soil and rock, in the search for iron ore, copper, silver and a host of other mineral ores, has tinted this part of the world in hues of dusty pink, brown, yellow, red and grey. So great is the scale of operations, that the depression created resembles a man-made crater that measures several kilometres across. From the edge of the 'crater', a giant space opens up before you, and the trucks at work far below appear toy-sized when in reality most are the size of a house.

Walls of terraced rock, streaked with the unusual colours of mineral ores create the impression of a natural amphitheatre of gargantuan proportions, that could easily be mistaken for the set of a Star Wars movie.

For further information, have a look at XXXXX, or this article.

Aracena

The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche natural park encompasses 184,000 hectares, an impressive 90% of it covered by woodland of mainly Mediterranean oak. The landscape is full of contrasts, with gently rolling hills and wooded valleys gradually giving way to dramatic rocky outcrops on high peaks. There is a rich and varied wildlife with plenty of chances to spot birds of prey or hearing woodpeckers in spring.
Aracena, the largest town in the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, is dominated by a hilltop ruined castle and church. Its population has grown rapidly in recent years, but it has managed to retain a dignified elegance about its streets.
The Portuguese drove the Moors out of Aracena in 1251 before handing over the town to the Castilians in 1267. The Knights Templar controlled the town until 1312 when the Order was dissolved. In the early 20th century Aracena was favoured as a holiday resort by employees of the Río Tinto mining company, who built the houses in Aracenilla, an area of town past the piscina (swimming pool) on the Alájar road.
* Castillo. The castle now only consists of ruined defensive walls
* Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores was built by the Knights Templars in the 14th century
* The unfinished (no roof) 16th-century Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
* The Plaza Alta was developed as the centre of Aracena around the fifteenth century
* The newly renovated Ayuntamiento, designed by Aníbal González in 1911
* Gruta de las Maravillas (the Cave of Marvels) - spectacular limestone caves underneath the castle hill
* Embalse de Aracena (Aracena reservoir), a great place for cooling off in summer. N.E. of Aracena.

For further information there's generally lots in guidebooks, or have a look at this article.

Seville
According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moors. Its high point in its history was following the discovery of America.

Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.

Given that there are guidebooks which do nothing but describe all the treasures and surprises of Sevilla, there's little to be added but it might be worth noting that there's a most interesting web site run by a resident American which not only gives lots of good information from a local's perspective but also includes his idiosyncratic Top 57 things to do in Sevilla. Have fun