Travel guide: What to see and do in Huelva

1 - 3 days in Huelva: The best things to do and visit. 

Huelva, also known as the Door to the Atlantic, is a city that attracts its visitors for its touristic offer, its delicious gastronomy and its cultural and monumental heritage.

This rather unknown and breathtaking cities of Andalusia is a perfect destination to explore on foot. In the past, the city of Huelva, capital of the province of the same name, was a meeting point for many great civilizations, such as the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians or the Romans.

Its beaches are of a peculiar beauty and its legacy is stunning - and leave no one indifferent! One third of its geographic extension is covered by protected natural spaces. In our walk through the city of Huelva you will discover everything that this historic port city has to offer.

How to plan my trip to Huelva?

At Yoorney, our local tour guides who offer you the best selection of guided tours, free tours and excursions in Huelva and in other cities around the world.

A different and fun way to discover a city.

One of the biggest challenges of traveling is to really get to know everything you want about your next destination. We take care of that and show you each spot in a special way that makes you feel not just like another simple tourist. When you take a tour with Yoorney you will dive into the culture and experience the city as if you were a local. 

If you’re planning to visit the city of Huelva, would you like to know the essential places to go to? This city has a rich history and an impressive past, and was part of the Kingdom of Tartessos. It played an important role in the conquest of the Americas and the English people settled there due to the mining wealth of the river Rio Tinto.

It is surrounded by spectacular landscapes of dunes and marshes of the famous Doñana National Park. Within Huelva there are other tourist destinations that attract the attention of travelers, such as El Rocío. These are the essential places to see and visit in Huelva in 3 days (or a weekend getaway). Take note!

Huelva: Top 12 things to do and must-see attractions 

1. Square of Nuns 

2. Museum of Huelva   

3. The Huelva Cathedral

Yoorney Tips! Learn more about the curiosities of this monument with a local tour guide in your language who will solve any doubts that might arise. 

  PRICES 

    Free 

  SCHEDULE 

4. The Huelva Columbus House 

5. Monument to Columbus

Monumento a Colón

6. Carmen Market 

You have probably been getting hungry while reviewing the history of Huelva, right? In this case, the best thing to do is to head towards the Avenida de la Ría, where you will find the mythical market of El Carmen, or Mercado del Carmen, that counts with 150 years of history! This is one of those little corners where you can get lost, breathe the city and gain first-hand experience about the essence of life in the Huelva capital.

7. Moret Park 

What to see in Moret Park?

We recommend 3 areas of the park:

• The area known as the Cabezos del Conquero. At this end of the park it borders the Marismas del Odiel area and there are the ruins of a Roman aqueduct.
  
• Southeast of Moret Park. There, even today, it is still cultivated in some of the orchards that existed in the area in the past.
  
• Finally, you can relax in one of the pleasure boats that are rented in the lagoons of the park while you watch the ducks swimming around you or simply listen to the sound of this natural oasis.

8. Rio Tinto Pier 

10. Monastery La Rábida

  PRICES

   Individual: 3,50€.

           Pensioners and students: 3,00€

           Household (parents with children under 18 years): 8,00€.
           Groups (of 20 people or more):2,00€.
           Special groups and children up to 5 years: free.

  SCHEDULE 

11. Wharf of the Caravels 

  PRICES

      Adults: 3,60€.

           Students, pensioners and groups (minimum 20 people): 1,50€.

           Household (parents with children under 18 years): 7,50€.

           Children under 5 years old and special groups: free.

   SCHEDULE

      From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

            Closed every Monday. 

12. The best Beaches in Huelva

• Punta Umbría: A beautiful ocean before you, with marshlands in the back. Have a mojito in the sunset and enjoy.
  
• Matalascañas: sand dunes and the vegetation of Doñana.
  
• Isla Cristina: Endless and quiet beaches.
  
• Mazagón: a different landscape under an imposing cliff.
  
• Playa de Isla Canela: essential place for kite surfing and other activities.
  

Where to eat in Huelva? 

• As in all places in Andalusia, the gastronomy of Huelva is spectacular. They have high quality products, such as the famous white prawns, the Jabugo ham or the tuna mojama. We give you some recommendations to taste the typical foods of the area.

  
  

  4 places to eat in Huelva 
  

  
  
  • Cervecería la Ría: we loved the seafood and fresh fish. Try the grilled octopus with raspberry aioli (super special!)
    
  • Bar Pappis: tapas and typical montaditos from Huelva. We really liked the montadito Mambo (with seasoned chicken) and the musaka.        
    
  • Burger Hermanos Rodrígez: homemade burgers for dinner or lunch, we fell in love! Its location is most particular, it is in a kiosk in the Plaza de las Monjas!
    
  • Restaurante Azabache: the benchmark for tapas in Huelva, it offers quality traditional Andalusian cuisine based on excellent fresh and seasonal products.
    

  
  

  4 typical dishes of Huelva
  

  
  

  • Jamón de Huelva: The Huelva ham is the king of the local gastronomy and one its most popular delicacies. Order a plate of Jabugo ham along with a good wine! Can you think of any better option to regain strength after spending the whole day walking around Huelva?
    
  • Gambas de Huelva: This is an exclusive species of prawns that is only found along the coast of the towns that are located between the mouth of the Guadiana and the Guadalquivir River. Throughout the whole country, the Huelva Prawns are recognized as a synonym of excellence for their authentic marine flavor, their unmistakable texture and their high quality. 
    
  • Choco de Huelva: This dish is the culinary hallmark of Huelva. In Spain, there is a saying that goes “you are more from Huelva than a choco”, and in fact the people of Huelva are popularly known as ‘choqueros’. Don't you know what choco is? It is a type of squid, smaller than cuttlefish, that you can enjoy in all of Huelva’s restaurants and bars.
    
  • Coquinas de Huelva: Coquina clams are one of the most characteristic mollusks of Andalusian seafood and of the Mediterranean diet. We assure you that this dish will make you lick your fingers.

  Huelva with children
  

  
  
  
  
  Are you going to travel to Huelva with the little ones? It has all the attractions to fully enjoy with the family. From getting on a historic ship to entering spectacular caves or walking through a landscape that seems Martian. Spending a holiday in Huelva with children can be a lot of fun!
  
  
  Take a look at the best plans for young and old in the province of Huelva. Are you in? 
  
  

  Birdwatching of the Coto de Doñana

  
  

  There are many activities to do with children in the Doñana National Park. This is one of the most emblematic protected natural areas in Europe, due to the diversity of its ecosystems and because of the importance of many of the species that live in it.

  It’s definitely a must-see place! Doñana consists of 3 extensive habitats: dunes, scrub woodland and marshlands. You will have the opportunity to show your children one of the most spectacular landscapes in Andalusia.

  
  

    The little ones (and the big ones) will love the great diversity of flora and fauna that exists. Only here some species can be seen, play to find them! 

  Tour the Riotinto Mining Park by train

  

  
  

  Do you want to travel to another planet without leaving Earth? In Huelva, there is an old railway that takes us directly to a Martian landscape. 
  

  Visiting the Rio Tinto Mining Park is doubtlessly a must when you visit Huelva with your children. It is a journey on board of a 19th-century train that crosses the incredible landscape of the Rio Tinto mining basin. One of the most stunning rivers in the world, due to its color and the composition of its waters.

  When we went there, we loved the tour on the old railway and visiting the mine, but what impressed us most was the incredible landscape... we felt as if we were on the planet Mars!

   

  It will make you feel like an astronaut!

  
  

  Experience the magic of the Grotto of Marvels 

  

  
  

  Aracena is the door to the famous Grotto of Marvels! This was the first cave in Spain (and one of the first in Europe) to open its doors to tourists. Although it was discovered at the end of the 19th century, it was not opened to the public before 1914. Furthermore, it has been declared as one of the official tourist sights of Andalusia.

  It is located in the urban area of Aracena, caved into the mountain atop of which you can find the remains of the Aracena Castle. Inside of these excavations there are 3 lakes, 3 levels of galleries, stalactites, stalagmites and other formations created by the water and the passage of time. You will discover a marvelous landscape, different to any that you have ever seen before!

  
  

  Walk along the Huelva estuary

  

  
  

  If you go to Huelva with children, seize the opportunity and go to Mazagón and its extensive beach. You can enjoy a beautiful walk and approach the mountain passes. This incredible spectacle of nature with beautiful views is at your fingertips and definitely a must-see when you go to Huelva.

  We walked around to take some beautiful pictures, and also purchased tickets for the boat that parts from the Mazagón pier in order to observe this natural area from a marine perspective.

  Karting center in Cartaya 
  

  

  
  

  A unique adventure on wheels! In the Cartaya karting center, the only thing that your little ones have to worry about is having the minimum height to reach the pedal. They should be at leas 6 or 7 years old.

  There are karts available for children, for adults, and even competition karts for professionals or aspiring professionals who want to train.

  Your whole family will enjoy this activity, where you will laugh and create wonderful memories together! We will definitely repeat this experience when we go back to Huelva!

  
  

  Pet-friendly Huelva
  

   
  
  
  

  You're a #petlover and are looking for the perfect holiday plans to enjoy with your furry friends? The province of Huelva invites you to enjoy the sun and the sea throughout the whole year, surrounded by pittoresque white villages, from the mountain range Sierra Morena to the Atlantic coast. Small farm towns full of history and immense beaches are waiting for you and your pet.

  In Huelva, pet-friendly tourism and getaways have been growing throughout the last years. There is a continuously increasing number of hotels, restaurants and beaches that hang the official “Pet-Friendly” sign onto their doors. So, what are you waiting for? A getaway with your dog is one of the most connecting adventures that you can experience together - and that you will never forget.

  Huelva is known as a very #petfriendly city, which we can doubtlessly confirm after travelling there ourselves. There was an incredible offer of activities that we could actually do with our dogs! While many other cities are still “less modern” in this sense, Huelva has proven to be one of our top pet-friendly spots in Spain.

  Dog friendly beaches in Huelva
  

  
  

  You are probably already thinking about what you can plan to do with your pet in Huelva. One of our favorite activities is to enjoy a swim in the sea or to run along the shore of the beach with our dog - it’s always such a huge fun! There are four dog friendly beaches in the province of Huelva: El Espigón Beach (Huelva), La Gola Beach (Isla Cristina), La Ría Beach (Punta Umbría) and Santa Pura Beach (Lepe).
  

  • El Espigón beach: The canine beach ‘El Espigón’ is located in the city of Huelva, specifically, along the area between the 5th walkway and the breakwater. It is 2,5 kilometers long and you will love its fine and golden sand. This beach is characterized by its tranquility and moderate waves. 
    
  • Gola Beach (Island Cristina) : This urban beach is located just next to the Levante breakwater, south of the marina. It is an 800-meter stretch of fine golden sand beach, where you can enjoy yourself together with your dog while it runs, swims and has fun.  
    
  • Ría Beach (Punta Umbría): This dog-friendly spot in Punta Umbría occupies an area of 2,000 square meters. La Ría Beach is located in the extension of La Marina Avenue, in the area of the estuary near the fairgrounds. It is open to the public throughout the whole year.  
    
  • Canina de Santa Pura Beach (Lepe) : The Santa Pura dog beach is located in Lepe and was inaugurated in 2019. It has an extension of about 1000 meters and offers you fine sand and crystal clear water. You can find it just 500 meters away from The Santa Pura beach bar and nearby the Nueva Umbría naturist beach.  
  
  

  Places to go with dogs in Huelva

  
  
  
  
  • Lagoon of the Portil. It is located within the Laguna del Portil Natural Area. This passage area for migratory birds is perfect to watch many different species in spring and autumn. Your pet will have a lot of fun here, with all the vegetation and animals to play around.
  • La Esperanza Park. This is an authentic pet-friendly space. In this area your dog has the opportunity to run freely and to burn off energy. It is one of the places in the city where you can walk your dog without leash. You can also bring their favorite toy and exercise together.
  • Laguna de Acebuche. The Acebuche Lagoon is one of the key areas where you can discover the essence of the Doñana National Park. Pets are allowed here, as long as they are on a leash. It is a space where your dog can interact with nature and get to know new smells. You are going to have a great time!
  • Visit the Rio Tinto Mining Park. We could actually get onto the railroad with our dog! A big shout out to this great company that allows us to travel and enjoy this incredible place with our furry friends.
  • Canine Parks. Breathe some fresh air while letting your dog play! Take it to one of the numerous dog parks in the historic city center. Los Olivos Dog Park, Antonio Machado Dog Park... our big favorite is the Zafra Dog Park with views on the Odiel River.
  • Places to eat. You can bring dogs to the vast majority of restaurants and tapas bars in Huelva. A sticker on their door indicates that pets are welcome, but do not hesitate to ask an employee otherwise. We didn’t have any problems.

  
  

  Pet-friendly hotels in Huelva 
  

  
  

  If you are one of those who like to travel with your dog, there are more and more hotels that allow pets.
  

  • Hacienda Montija Hotel (4*). Carretera Huelva, San Juan Del Puerto Km 3, Huelva.
    
  • Hotel Restaurante La Rábida (2*). Pol. Ind. San Jorge, La Rábida.
    
  • Hotel Albaida Nature (3*). Ctra. Huelva Matalascañas, S/n Urb. El Faro, Mazagón.
    
  • Hotel La Era de Aracena (3*). Carretera Sevilla-Lisboa, Km 85, 400 - Camino Pradocruzado, Aracena.
    
  • Hotel Apartamento Rural Finca Valbono (3*). Ctra. Carboneras, Km 1, Aracena.
    
  • Plaza Chica (2*). Calle de La Plaza, 29. Cartaya.
    
  • Playacartaya Aquapark & Spa Hotel (4*). Urbanización Nuevo Portin s/n. El Portil.
    

  
  

  Accessible Huelva 
  

  
  
   
  
  

  
  

  Adapted tourism still seems to be a pending issue for many places. Is this true for Huelva as well? We had the chance to experience it first-hand and these are some of our favorite adapted and accessible places:

  Beaches: Isla Cristina Beach, Matalascañas Beach, Punta Umbría Beach, Antilla Beach ... we had no problems! There are walkways to walk the way to the sand without problems, they also have different very useful services.

  Doñana Park: we were able to have a very direct contact with nature without any problem, the park is settled by a multitude of wooden walkways. You cannot miss this incredible place!

  Nightlife Huelva  
  

  
  
  Enjoy the nightlife of Huelva. These are some of our favorite places to party in Huelva!
  

  
  

  Love for beer in Huelva 
  

  
  

  If you like going out for beers in Huelva, you can't leave the city without trying El Tercer Tiempo. It's beer lovers heaven! They have to choose from more than a hundred from different countries.

  Cocktails in Huelva

  
  

  For those who prefer cocktails, have a drink after work or enjoy the night in Huelva going out more quietly, Prokope, El Búho or Mandala can be great destinations.
  

  Live music in Huelva

  
  

  Huelva has concert halls and a musical program that you are going to love. If you like live music, you have to stop by the Mosquito Club. It's the total beach experience.
  

  Nightclubs in Huelva
  

  
  

  In Huelva there is a great variety of shows and alternative music. To get out of your day-to-day routine, we recommend the Lollipop nightclub, Mangu Beach Club or Live Punta Humbría.

  The best nightlife in Huelva. Perfect for having the first or last drink of the night.

  
  

  
  

  How to get to Huelva?
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Whenever you have a destination in mind, one of the biggest concerns is getting to the city. The main ways to travel to Huelva are by car, by bus, by plane, by train and by boat.

  How to get to Huelva by car

  
  

  The most common option is by car. Although everything depends on the origin. We recommend accessing through the A-49 from Seville that connects Huelva and Seville. To the north from Extremadura, on the N 435 and to the west from Portugal. From Madrid either by the national V to Mérida connecting with the N 435 or to Seville and connecting with the A-49.
  
  
  

  How to get to Huelva by train

  
  

  There are many people who enjoy the train journey, so let's see how you can travel by rail to this magical city. In the station of the capital of Huelva. You can opt for 3 train tours.
  
  Huelva is well connected to the Sevilla San Justa station, so we can get there from Seville. Madrid also connects with the AVE in just over two and a half hours. On the other hand, there is also another medium-distance line that covers the route that connects the town of Huelva with Zafra, a town in Extremadura.
  
  

  How to get to Huelva by bus

  
  

  If you decide to do it by bus, the company Damas S.A. It has connections between the towns of the province, Seville, Andalusia and Portugal. The bus station is located on Avenida Doctor Rubio.
  
  The company Socibus S.A. performs regular services to Madrid.
  
  

  How to get to Huelva by plane

  
  

  To get to Huelva by plane, the closest international airports are Seville and Faro, both an hour's drive away.
  
  
  

  How to get to Huelva by boat

  
  
  In Huelva there has been a ferry since 2011. It is directly linked to the Canary Islands, specifically to Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
  
  
  

  How to get around Huelva

  
  
  • Bus
    
  • Bike-Sevici
  • Cab
  • Uber
  • Cabify
  • Scooter - Limer and Bird

  20 most beautiful towns to visit in Huelva
  

  

   

   

   

  We mark you our favorites!

  1. Alájar
  2. Almonaster La Real
  3. Aracena 
  4. Ayamonte
  5. Bollullos par del Condado 
  6. Castaño del Robledo
  7. Cortegana
  8. El Granado
  9. El Rocío - Almonte 
  10. El Rompido
  11. Fuenteheridos
  12. Galaroza
  13. Jabugo
  14. Las Chinas
  15. Linares de la Sierra
  16. Minas de Río Tinto
  17. Moguer
  18. Niebla 
  19. Palos de la Frontera
  20. San Lúcar de Guadiana

   Huelva general information 
  

   

  GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS FROM HUELVA     Magnet of Columbus ships      Shells from the golden beaches of Huelva      Special canned oil from Huelva      Mojama     Souvenir from Hermitage of El Rocío	WHERE TO FOR A RUN IN HUELVA     Huelva-Corrales     To laps Conqueros     Fosfoyesos     Vía verde ("Green-ways")Huelva-Portil
  CULTURAL AGENDA IN HUELVA     Agenda de Huelva     J.Andalucía     Guía del Ocio     La Guía Go	WHERE TO STAY IN HUELVA     Sercotel Familia Conde     Huelva ArT     NH Luz Huelva     Apartamento Catedral Merced
  SHOPPING IN HUELVA    Shopping Center Holea     Shopping Center Costa Luz    Shopping Center Aqualon     Center (street Berdigón a Concepción)	HUELVA TRAVEL GUIDES Andalucia (Lonely Planet Country & Regional Guides) Western Andalucia: From Huelva to Malaga Huelva Travel Guide

  
  

  Map of Huelva

  
  

  In this urban map of Huelva you will see the main monuments of Huelva and the places of interest that we have described in the blog article. We want you to make the most of your visit. Take into account all the sites that we have mentioned.

  
  

  If you miss out on one of the must-sees, don't worry! That is always a great excuse to come back to this beautiful city in Spain.
  
  

   

  How to use the interactive map of Huelva?

  
  

  We have indicated different colors for each area of recommendation.

  Huelva Transport Map
  

  • Huelva Bus Map
  • Huelva Lines Map
  • Huleva Interurbano Map
    
     

  Did you like this Huelva travel guide? We hope you find it very useful. We have really enjoyed creating it and visiting all these places enchating places.

   

  Best Free Tours in Huelva - BOOK FREE!