Day Trip to Doñana & El Rocío, Seville

Discover unique ecosystems and wildlife in the spectacular Doñana National Park on a day trip from Seville. Your guide will share important information about the park, its ecosystems, and the wildlife that calls these coastal habitats home. Enjoy activities like horseback riding on the beach, bird-watching, and driving through the marshlands. Then, make your way to the pilgrimage village of El Rocío, a beautiful town known for its Virgin of El Rocío icon.

Escape the city for a trip into the wilderness, learning about the scenic and critical ecosystems in Doñana National Park, one of Europe's most important wetlands. After your guide picks you up from your hotel in Seville, you'll start the drive to the park, which takes about one hour. As you near these precious wetlands, listen to your guide explain the importance. Since it sits along the Gulf of Cádiz, it offers a unique confluence of European and North African landscapes and is a strategic destination for many migratory birds.

Upon arrival, you'll start with a hike into the wilderness with the help of a naturalist guide. The trek is short and suitable for all athletic levels. As you walk, you'll view diverse landscapes, such as the Abalario and Algaida Mediterranean pine forests and the marshes of Coto del Rey. Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife species that call the park home, including the imperial eagle and a vast array of other birds, deer, wild boars, badgers, and the endangered Iberian lynx.

After your hike, you'll make your way to the beach for a 2-hour horseback ride. Get acquainted with your horse and enjoy an introduction to horseback riding before setting off along the windswept coast. This is an excellent way to experience the park's wild beauty and connect to nature. After your ride, it's time for lunch on your own. You can purchase a picnic to enjoy at the beach or relax in a local restaurant for your meal.

On your way back to Seville, you'll take a different route, stopping in the pilgrimage town of El Rocío. The village is about a 15-minute drive from the beach and just on the park's edge. This site attracts millions of visitors each year to see the Virgin of El Rocío icon inside the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Rocío. Your guide will explain the town's history and pilgrimage, revealing a few legends surrounding this sacred statue, including how shepherds discovered it while walking in wild stretches of Doñana National Park.

In El Rocío, you'll also have time to walk around on your own or stop to enjoy a coffee or pastry. Then, enjoy the hour-long drive back to your hotel in Seville.