By Jo Williams
Matalascañas is a popular, modern resort,
located in a beautiful area of extensive coastal dunes and sandy
beaches. Despite the village's tasteless high-rise development,
which is one of the worst along the Huelva stretch of the Costa
de la Luz, Matalascañas has some redeeming features; namely,
its beach and its proximity to the Parque Nacional de Donaña.
Its long and wide beach, the Playa de Castilla,
extends for 40km from the Guadalquivir estuary southeast of Matalascañas
to Mazagón in the northeast. The best beach nearest the centre
of Matalascañas is at Torre de la Higuera,
just west of the village.
The main part of the beach in Matalascañas
itself has excellent facilities including lifeguards, showers, hire
of parasols and deckchairs. In the summer there are many chiringuitos
(beach bars). Running alongside the main beach in the village is
a 4km-long promenade, the Paseo Marítimo, lined with good
fish restaurants.
East of Matalascañas, there is a spectacular
stretch of virgin beach that runs alongside the boundary of the
Parque Nacional de Donaña. This part is accessible on foot
only, from the eastern part of the town.
All the way along the coast to Mazagón
from Matalascañas are stunning fossilized dunes, which you
can explore on foot in the Parque Dunar or at the Cuesta
de Maneli. The beach and dunes at the Cuesta de Maneli,
a beautiful and tranquil part of the coast, are accessible by the
A494 to Mazagón. The Cuesta de Maneli is signposted from
this road and there is a waymarked walk, the Sendero de la Cuesta
de Maneli, from here.
West of Matalascañas is the large, newly
protected area of sand dunes called Parque Dunar,
which you can explore on foot or by bike. Inside the park is the
Museo Mundo Marino (Museum of Marine Life), with
interesting displays about the dunes and sealife.
There are lots of places to stay but these are invariably
fully booked in advance in July and August. Alternatively, there
are several campsites along the A494 to Mazagón but these
may also be full in the summer, especially in August.
Matalascañas is the nearest town to the access
point of the Parque
Nacional Doñana, El Acebuche. This is only 5km away,
north of Matalascañas along the A483 towards El
Rocío.
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