DK Travel : Andalucía and Costa del Sol : Sevilla and Huelva Provinces

Sevilla and Huelva Provinces : Overview & Top 10

Leaving behind the magnetic allure of glorious Seville , the rest of Sevilla Province and neighbouring Huelva Province are among the least visited areas of Andalucía. Consequently, much of the zone has remained a rural hinterland, where time moves slowly and the old customs prevail. Some of the finest nature preserves are here, too, including the ecologically essential Coto de Doñana, mountainous reaches and pristine beaches, generally frequented by Spaniards rather than tourists. Culturally rich as well, each town and village shelters surprising art treasures and ancient marvels, where you may find yourself the only visitor – a welcome relief after the throngs encountered elsewhere in Andalucía.

It is best to visit the Gruta de las Maravillas in the morning as entrance tickets tend to sell out quickly. If you don’t have your own car, 10 bus trips make the Columbus circuit, from Huelva City to Moguer and back, Tue–Sat.

Via Verde

The Via Verde is a diused railway track that is now a fabulous bike track. Along its 36 km course the Via Verde de la Sierra boasts 30 tunnels, the longest being the Castillo at 990m; 4 viaducts of which the Coripe at 237m is the longest; and 5 railway stations, 3 of which at Puerto Serrano, Coripe and Olvera have been restored as hotels. The station at Zaframagon is now a Nature information centre and the one at Navalagrulla is scheduled for restoration. The Antigua Estacion Ferrocarril Hotel at the Olvera end of the Via Verde has bicycles for rent at 9€ for 4 hours and 12€ for the day and bikes can also be rented at Coripe.