Doñana Natural Park

The essentials of Doñana Natural Park

  • • Iberian lynx: 120-140 individuals in the Mediterranean scrubland belt
  • • Flamingo colonies of up to 15,000 birds in the marsh lucios
  • • Iberian imperial eagle with 25-30 breeding pairs in the park surroundings
  • • Walking trails accessible from El Acebuche, La Rocina and Valverde Centre
  • • Birdwatching hide over the Madre de las Marismas at El Rocío village
DisconnectionEcotourism

Description

Parque Natural de Doñana extends across the provinces of Huelva and Sevilla at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river, forming together with the adjacent National Park a protected area of around 543,000 hectares. The heart of the system is the marshland: a floodable plain between 50 and 130 centimetres deep in winter that dries progressively between May and October, leaving behind lucios —shallow lagoons— separated by expanses of cracked mud. This flood-and-drought cycle, driven by rainfall and the water management of the coto and caño network, determines the entire food chain of the wetland and makes Doñana the most important wintering ground for waterbirds in western Europe. More than 300 bird species have been recorded here, including flamingo colonies (Phoenicopterus roseus) that in good years exceed 15,000 individuals.

To the north and west of the marshland lie Mediterranean scrubland and low maquis with lentisk, myrtle and cork oak. This belt is home to the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the world's most endangered wild cat, with a Doñana population stabilised at around 120-140 individuals according to the latest Life Programme censuses. The Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) also nests here, with 25 to 30 breeding pairs in the park's surroundings, alongside the Egyptian mongoose, the only European member of the mongoose family. To the west, mobile and fixed coastal dunes form a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the interior marshland, reaching heights above 30 metres on the most active dune ridges.

Access to the National Park is strictly controlled: entry is only possible in authorised 4WD vehicles with an official guide, on excursions departing from Almonte, El Rocío or Matalascañas. The Natural Park, by contrast, has more open access: the signed trails around El Acebuche, La Rocina and the José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre allow walking and cycling without a guide. The village of El Rocío, set on the park boundary, is a prime birdwatching point from its hides overlooking the Madre de las Marismas. The Romería de El Rocío pilgrimage, held in spring, draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year and is one of the largest popular religious gatherings in Spain.

The Doñana system functions as a critical stopover for migratory birds following the Atlantic flyway between Europe and Africa. In autumn and spring the marshes host concentrations of ducks, teal, spoonbills and various waterfowl species that rest and feed before continuing their migration. The inner lucios, accessible only with a guide, offer the highest bird density. For visitors from outside Spain, Doñana offers the rare possibility of seeing Iberian lynx, imperial eagle, flamingos and red deer in their natural habitat within a single day — something scarcely possible anywhere else in Europe.

Practical information

Everything you need to know for your visit to Doñana Natural Park

How to get there

How to get there

By car Public transport
From Sevilla via A-49 to Almonte (80 km) or Matalascañas (100 km). From Huelva via A-494 to El Rocío (50 km). Excursions into the National Park depart from Almonte, El Rocío and Matalascañas with authorised guides.
Area Information
The main municipality is Almonte (Huelva). The village of El Rocío, within its territory, serves as the hub for accommodation, guides and birdwatching on the marsh boundary. Matalascañas is the coastal access point.
Geography
Guadalquivir delta plain at sea level. Floodable interior marshland, coastal dunes up to 30 m high, Mediterranean scrubland belts known as cotos.
Flora & Fauna
Greater flamingo, Iberian imperial eagle, Iberian lynx, Egyptian mongoose. Vegetation: cork oak, lentisk, myrtle, prickly juniper. Aquatic plants: bulrush, spike-rush.

Things to do

Find the best plans and things to do in Doñana Natural Park

20

Accommodations

Best accommodation options in Doñana Natural Park

Loading accommodation options...

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Doñana Natural Park

Entry is only possible with an official guide in authorised 4WD vehicles. Excursions depart from Almonte, El Rocío and Matalascañas and last 3 to 4 hours. Advance booking is required as places are limited. The adjacent Natural Park has freely accessible trails from the visitor centres.
The Iberian lynx can be seen year-round, but sightings are more likely in winter and spring, when vegetation is lower and daytime activity is higher. Specialist guided excursions at dusk have the highest sighting rates. It is not a guaranteed sighting: Doñana holds between 120 and 140 individuals across some 54,000 hectares.
Yes. The Natural Park trails — particularly La Rocina and El Acebuche — are suitable for children aged 6 and above. The 4WD excursions into the National Park are recommended for children aged 8 or older given the duration and terrain. The José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre has adapted exhibitions explaining the marsh ecosystem and wildlife.
The National Park (54,252 ha) has the highest level of protection: access is restricted and only with an authorised guide. The Natural Park (543,604 ha) surrounds the National Park and has more open access with marked trails and several visitor centres. Both form part of the same protected area and share the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation.
The Romería del Rocío takes place at Pentecost, usually in May or June. During that week El Rocío village and park access routes are extremely crowded and many wildlife activities are suspended or heavily restricted. If your focus is nature and wildlife observation, avoid that week. The rest of the year El Rocío operates normally as an entry point to the park.