© Avicentegil · CC BY-SA 4.0Surroundings · Food
© Avicentegil · CC BY-SA 4.0Surroundings · Food
El Rocío doesn't end at the village. All around it there are unspoilt beaches, charming villages and one of the tastiest cuisines in Andalusia. Here are some ideas for extending your trip and enjoying the area before or after the camino.
A few kilometres from the village, Matalascañas boasts a hugely long beach bordering Doñana, while Mazagón surprises you with its pine woods and the Asperillo cliff, a landscape of fossil dunes unique to the Huelva coast.
And then there's Doñana itself, of course: trails, birdwatching hides and guided tours of the National Park that deserve at least a day of their own.
The village of El Rocío, with its sandy streets, whitewashed houses and the shrine of the Blanca Paloma, is a visit in its own right even outside the pilgrimage. Almonte, the municipality it belongs to, still has all the flavour of Lower Andalusia.
A little further inland, the Condado de Huelva — Bollullos, La Palma, Rociana — is wine country, and Niebla preserves an impressive walled enclosure of medieval origin.
The province prides itself on two world-famous treasures: Huelva white prawn and acorn-fed Iberian ham from Jabugo, in the Sierra de Aracena. Hard to beat.
Enjoy them alongside the wines and must of the Condado (with its own Denomination of Origin) and the hearty stews of the marshes and the coast. Eating well is part of the journey.
Accommodation in El Rocío and the villages along the way books up fast, especially during the pilgrimage. Reserve well ahead to secure a place at the best price.
Frequently asked questions
There's time to stroll around the village and the area around the shrine, pop over to Matalascañas beach and walk one of Doñana's trails (La Rocina or El Acebrón). If you'd rather see villages, the Condado de Huelva and its wineries are very close by.
The nearest beaches are Matalascañas and Mazagón, both a few kilometres away by road and with wide stretches of sand right beside Doñana.
Huelva white prawn and Jabugo ham are must-haves, washed down with wine or must from the Condado. On the coast, don't miss the local stews and fried fish.