Donana National Park

Dónana, named by Doqa Ana de Silva, a Spanish duchess that once built a residence there became a national park in 1969 and in 1994 a UNESCO World Heritagesite. Donana National Park is the most outstanding of Spain´s natural spaces and one of the most important in Europe. For many migrating birds, Doqana is the meeting ground between Africa and Europe. With its 50.000 hectares and extensive buffer protection zone in the provinces of Huelva, Seville and Cadiz, it has a complicated seepage system and marshlands adjoining the banks of the Guadalquivir, together with the river mouth itself and a 30 kilometre costal strip. Beaches, shifting dunes, undergrowth and hill scrub play host to a multitude of species of waterfowl, waders and birds of prey, as well as being the last refuge of endangered species, such as the lynx, Purple Gallinule, Imperial Eagle and Crested Coot. Donana National Park can be visited thru the year as something of interest is always happening there. But please be careful. In July and August the Temperateures can raise above 40C.

Visits to the park are strictly limited and no private vehicles are allowed in at all. Spanish legislation allows visitors on foot along the whole of the coastline between the sea and the impressive walls of sand dunes. On the west side of the Doñana, you are allowed to visit - on foot, horseback or by four wheel drive with a pre established timetable depending on the time of the year. It is also possible to visit the outer limits of the park from the town of Matalascañas, where several companies organize visits by four wheel drive, on horseback and in horse and carriage.

Visitors Centres

El Acebuche Crta. de El Rocío a Matalascañas, Km 12

21760 Matalascañas, Almonte, Huelva

Tel: 959 44 87 39

La Rocina Crta. de El Rocío a Matalascañas, Km 2

21750 El Rocío, Almonte, Huelva

Tel: 959 44 23 40

Palacio de El Acebrón 21750 El Rocío, Huelva

6 Km from "La Rocina" Visitors Centre

Tel: 959 50 61 62

Jose Antonio Valverde

41849 Aznalcázar, Sevilla

Tel: 955 95 90 96

Fábrica de Hielo Bajo de Guía

s/n, 11540 Sanlúcar de Barameda, Cádiz

Tel: 956 38 16 35

Organised Visits Buque Real Fernando

You can take a boat trip from Sanlúcar de Barrameda on the River Guadalquivir with stops at points of interest in Doñana National Park.

More Information is available here: