Itinerary to visit Doñana in 3 days… Doñana is a protected area of more than 120,000 hectares divided between the National Park and the Natural Park. These lands are the most important wetlands in Europe. Its richness and ecological value have served for the Doñana National Park to be considered a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve.
Here is a possible 3-day itinerary, complete and with all kinds of activities, for your end-of-year trip to Doñana. You will not only visit this impressive park, but also all the important places around it.
During these days you will discover the marshes, you will see migratory birds, you will know the mobile dunes of Doñana. You will also visit the most emblematic towns in the area, the essential places in Columbus to understand the Discovery of America. Of course they will have time for the incredible beaches. Immerse yourself in the Andalusian culture, gastronomy, traditions and landscapes in this 3-day route for your end-of-year trip to Doñana.
Day 1. Visit to the Doñana National Park and the village of El Rocío.
We start the itinerary to visit Doñana in 3 days, in Matalascañas, with a 4 × 4 route that takes us into the park. The dunes appear immediately and the vehicle can bounce for quite some time. The famous mobile dunes of Doñana can reach up to 30 meters in height. In this place you will be able to observe all kinds of fauna, guided by the instructor, and you will know how the dunes are formed and the importance of this great Natural Reserve, unique in Spain. You can walk through the reserved areas and admire the beauty of its landscapes and the calm atmosphere of this protected environment. And, if you’re really lucky, you might even see an Iberian lynx, so keep an eye out!
Later, and once the guided tour of Doñana is over, we head towards the famous village of El Rocio. Unpaved streets that surrender to the Virgin of El Rocío, whose multitudinous pilgrimage is known worldwide. But El Rocío is more than a pilgrimage, and it is better to visit it in spring if possible on Sunday, when the locals take their horses for a ride through the village. A walk along the shore of the marsh is a must while watching hundreds of flamingos and other seabirds.
Day 2. Visit to the Columbus Places
The itinerary to know Doñana in 3 days continues… This visit is a great option to take a history lesson in the open air and get to know the place from where the three caravels of Christopher Columbus departed. Having just arrived in Palos de la Frontera, we already noticed the conquering and maritime atmosphere, with large wooden boats that fill its impressive port. This visit has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and is divided between the municipalities of Moguer and Palos de la Frontera. The most interesting places to visit in this area are:
- Muelle de las Carabelas
Here we can see the replicas of the caravels, the Pinta, the Niña and the Santa Maria, built in 1992 to commemorate the V Centenary of the Discovery of America. We will also find the recreation of a port district of the time, and a village like the one that Spanish sailors found on their arrival to the New World.
- Monastery of La Rábida
The Monastery of Santa María de La Rábida was of vital importance in the history of the Discovery of America since it was there, hosted by the Franciscan friars, where Christopher Columbus devised his voyage before embarking on the Caravels.
- José Celestino Mutis Botanical Park
Inaugurated in 1993 to commemorate the V Centenary of the return to Palos de la Frontera of the expedition that made the Discovery of America. In our walk through the park, we discovered a wide variety of flora from all continents.
- Monument to the Discovering Faith
A colossal statue measuring some 37 meters high and was donated by the United States, literally, «as an expression of friendship to the Nation».
Day 3. Day at the beach and water sports in Isla Canela.
We finish this 3-day itinerary for your end-of-year trip in Doñana reserving the last day for total enjoyment and relaxation at the beach and nearby villages. Following the tour through Huelva, we recommend you to visit the beach of Isla Canela, where you can try all kinds of water sports: canoeing, sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing … you can even try a SUP (Stand Up Paddling) Yoga class and test your balance on the board! The promenade runs from the pier of Punta del Moral to Isla Canela and has a bike path to get your inner cyclist out.
Nearby is Isla Cristina, where we can attend the interesting fish auction at the fish market (this time, the outdoor class is Geography) and see how it is done and the daily routine to supply their product to different parts of the peninsula. The fishing port of Isla Cristina is nowadays the number one in Spain along with Vigo, so seeing how the product arrives on the boats until it is sold, can be a very interesting activity for the end of the course trip.
Finally, in Punta Umbria we find 12 kilometers of beach and a fishing village with large avenues and a beautiful and well-kept old town with a wide range of bars and stores. Here we will have the opportunity to taste the typical tapas of Huelva, always with fish and seafood as the protagonists.
Guide to organize your end-of-year trip to Doñana
If you are thinking of organizing your end-of-year trip to Doñana, you have come to the perfect place because we bring you in this guide all the information you need before and during the trip: accommodation, gastronomy, transportation, possible itineraries, excursions…
Plan your school trip to Doñana with Natuaventura, we offer you as many possibilities as you can imagine, and a team of instructors with more than 15 years of experience in school trips. Do not miss any detail!
You may also be interested in:
Nautical multiadventure on your end-of-year trip to Salou
What to visit on your end-of-year trip to Salou?
5 Natural sites to visit in Asturias
Organize your end-of-year trip to Asturias
Multi-adventure activities for groups in Asturias
The 5 most beautiful villages to visit in Asturias
