Matalascañas: Beaches, Dunes and Doñana

At Playa de Matalascañas, the beaches of the Doñana Natural Park adjoin it to the east; they can be reached on foot from the beach. Since 2014, Playa de Matalascañas has continuously held the Q for Quality designation.

More information about El Rocío

Culture

The remains of Torre La Higuera are regarded as a landmark of tourism in Matalascañas, the most characteristic symbol of the beaches of Doñana and a point of orientation for visitors.

Torre La Higuera lies in an overturned position after being toppled from the upper section of the coastal cliff along the Arenas Gordas coast; its structure has survived despite marine erosion.

The 11th Matalascañas Astronomy Days take place at the lighthouse on 2 August from 9:30 p.m. and include telescope observations and a presentation on the solar system, eclipses, constellations and galaxies.

Nature

The Parque Dunar de Matalascañas covers approximately 130 hectares and lies next to the town in the direction of Mazagón, on a system of fixed dunes that forms a cliff around ten metres high.

The Sendero Dunar is a 1,212-metre circular trail of low difficulty in the ecosystem of the National Park of Doñana's shifting dunes. It begins at the end of the built-up area of Matalascañas, next to the access control point for the national park beach.

The Sendero Dunar offers views of the beach and the dune ecosystem and leads to the first corral, where a small stand of pine trees and the typical vegetation of this ecosystem can be seen.

Trails

The El Asperillo cycle path is a 24,519-metre linear route of low difficulty running between the El Loro junction and Matalascañas.

The El Asperillo cycle path provides access to the Laguna del Jaral and Cuesta Maneli trails.

Cuesta Maneli is a 1,371-metre, freely accessible trail through the Asperillo dune to the cliff.

The Laguna del Jaral route is an approximately two-hour, 5.2-kilometre circular trail in the municipality of Almonte (Huelva) that runs through the Doñana natural area.

At Parque Dunar, visitors can ride dromedaries on the dunes and go on horseback rides along the shore.

Visiting

Those without their own vehicle can use the Damas S.A. bus service to reach the La Rocina, El Acebuche and Palacio del Acebrón visitor centres in the municipality of Almonte (Huelva) via Matalascañas or El Rocío.

The El Acebuche Visitor Centre is approximately 6 kilometres from Matalascañas; the first 4 kilometres follow the A-483 and the final 2 kilometres follow an inner road.

The Ambos Mundos first-aid station has an adapted entrance, an amphibious chair, toilets assisted by rescue personnel, a defibrillator and a tracked tractor for beach access.

Back to the main travel overview: Almonte.