One of the most popular resort towns on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, Punta Umbria lies on the site of an ancient Roman settlement where the River Odiel meets the Gulf of Cadiz. It’s surrounded by extensive salt marshes protected within a series of nature reserves, including one that’s been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Things to do in Punta Umbría
Spend an afternoon wandering through the heart of Punta Umbria to admire its centuries-old tower, which was constructed to defend the settlement against Barbary pirates during the 16th and 17th centuries. There are also several churches of note in the town, including the Iglesia de Lourdes and the Iglesia del Carmen, which was designed by one of Spain’s most influential post-war architects, Miguel Fisac.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can relax on the sands of Playa La Mata Negra, which is reached along a series of boardwalks that lead through the surrounding dunes. It lies within Los Enebrales Natural Area, a 162-hectare tract of protected dunes and woodlands that includes one of the few juniper groves remaining in Andalusia.
Another reserve not to miss is Las Marismas de Odiel Natural Area, which lies at the mouth of the River Odiel and has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It boasts beautiful wetland flora and provides an important resting point for migratory birds. It’s also home to a third of Europe’s spoonbill population.
Getting around Punta Umbría
Punta Umbria is around 20 minutes’ drive from the centre of Huelva and 1.5 hours from Seville Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Buses connect to Punta Umbria from Huelva while the centre of town is compact enough to explore on foot.