Huelva

Port of Huelva: Port of Light In the west coast of Andalusia, next to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Port of Huelva is situated less than one hour from the monumental city of Seville and the Portuguese Algarve, at the most important crossroads of the North-South and East-West maritime routes, (one sailing night from Lisbon and also to Malaga), which means the opportunity for being visited by cruise ships whose routes are through the South Mediterranean, North Africa and North Europe Canary Islands as well as seasonal change between the Caribbean and Europe.

With 3,120 hours of sunshine a year and a perfect temperate climate on the coast, it is possible to enjoy the sun and the sea all year round along its 122km of coastline of fine and white sandy beaches, offering at the same time outstanding conditions for sailing. These climate conditions motivate visitors to do outdoor sports such as golf, with 11 first-class golf courses at the province. Huelva is one of the most natural regions in Spain.

The National Park of Doñana, which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, is one of the most important and protected areas in Europe, having the Iberian lynx, and numerous migratory birds such as the flamingos.

The province has a thousand-year history heritage, a result of the passing of civilizations such as the Tartesians, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Furthermore, is worth mentioning the legacy left by the British Rio Tinto Company, who exploited the copper mines in the last century and brought to Spain for the first time sports as football, tennis and golf. In Rio Tinto, visitors can enjoy the Corta Atalaya mine –the biggest open air mine in Europe- the Mining Museum and a train travelling around the mining area.

 The most remarkable event in the history of the city took place in 1492 when three caravels under the command of Christopher Columbus, accompanied by local sailors, departed from the Port to reach the socalled New World. This point of departure in addition to the Columbus Monument, the Franciscan Monastery of La Rábida and the very famous Caravels Dock –where replicates of the caravels can be visited- are adjoining the Port area and very easy to access.

Huelva is, definitely, the light of the sea.