Punta Umbría: blessed corner of Huelva
All you have to do is turn the Ocean Avenue , which runs in parallel coast in Punta Umbria , so that the small fishing town begins to send you subliminal messages. Listen well: she is inviting you to put “holiday mode” on.
And it cannot be otherwise. Especially when the sun welcomes you shining brightly in the sky –we are on the **Costa de la Luz**, remember? constantly with families who, cooler and umbrella in hand, go straight to jump headfirst into the water.
Because if she is famous for something Umbria Point It is precisely because of its kilometers and kilometers of coastline and its immense white sand beaches. Anchored between the famous Huelva estuary – where the Odiel and Tinto rivers converge - and the Atlantic, the peninsula on which Punta is located -as it is affectionately known-, is surrounded by sea almost everywhere.
for that very reason it is so easy to find that corner in which to lie down bluntly and disappear from the world for a few hours.
Finding your piece of paradise is very simple in Punta Umbría
But curiously, the first to take a look at Punta Umbría and see its potential as a tourist resort were the British They are very alive when it comes to enjoying. It was the 19th century and in the province the Rio Tinto Company Limited to develop the exploitation of the Riotinto mines. A fact that would forever change the development of the province.
The English soon realized that the best combination for that martian landscape it was precisely the sea, and here they established their summer homes.
The most positive of all is that, despite its early exploitation, l he town knew how to stand firm and never succumbed to mass tourism : In this corner of the south, the mega-constructions or the large hotel complexes that are the protagonists of a large part of the national coastline are far away.
What is on the seafront in Punta Umbría are houses of a lifetime and small businesses in which the day-to-day of the locals passes with absolute tranquility. It is the most authentic Huelva, in which the neighbors greet you cheerfully, where life takes place in the street and the windows of the houses are left open so that the sea breeze conquers everything. a delight
The usual houses in Punta Umbría
And at that point where the objective is clear, the question to decide will be: Which of its six beaches do you prefer? All of them are part of the same sandbank which is baptized differently as it progresses.
Starting with the Punta Umbria beach , the closest to the urban center and the most frequented by its locals. here the flamingo floats alternate with endless colored umbrellas , cork coolers, hammocks, towels, and the occasional kid who struggles to find a handful of clams on the shore.
Juniper Beach , at the other end of town, is much less in demand. looks out to Los Enebrales Natural Park and it is the perfect green alternative: practically virgin and with few bathers, it is surrounded by a landscape full of dunes, stone pines, mastic and rosemary.
Enebrales Beach
But there are for all tastes, hey. Let it not be said! Therefore, if what you want is something more local, the Boot Beach -also known as the Cruce-, with its almost 4 kilometers long , is a wonderful option.
And here's a historical paragraph! Precisely on its shore was where it appeared, in full World War II , the lifeless body of the British soldier William Martin , a very curious fact that was part of an entire war strategy and that marked the course of the conflict. If you want to know a little more about the subject, type in Google "The man who never existed". You will be left with your mouth open.
Curiosities aside, if what you are looking for is an alternative atmosphere and lots of good vibes, you are in luck: Mosquito Club , the most famous and cool chiringuito on the Andalusian coast, is located here – on the Canaleta Point , to be exact-.
And this unique place not only invites you to lie down on its poufs or under its tent at sunset while you listen to a relaxing DJ session and cool off with a mojito – mental note: the sunsets from here are a spectacle. also offers you yoga workshops, windsurfing classes, summer cinema, activities for the little ones and the best concerts on the beach that you can imagine.
Aim well: Wednesdays are their big day -take a look at their programming and you'll be amazed-, although it doesn't matter when you go there: it's always a good time for the Mosquito.
On this same beach, next to the mouth of the Huelva estuary, the spectacle is guaranteed. As if it were the Huelva rate Here you will also find dozens of fans of windsurfing and kitesurfing flying over the waters of the Atlantic. A plan that you will transform into perfect by complementing it with one of those tributes based on the flavors of the land - that is, based on coquinas, choquitos, white prawns or 100% Iberian ham - at the Casa Diego beach bar/restaurant, a few meters from the shore. The best that is dispatched in Punta.
And since we're here, take a walk along the estuary, which is two steps away. In it, an endless number of small fishing boats rest either on the shore, or floating on the water, turning the postcard into something magical. Do you remember that authentic Punta Umbría that we told you about? Well here it is again.
The tiny sandy beaches dotted by the estuary itself are the perfect place to take a wonderful swim in a different setting: you can enjoy views of the Odiel Marshes Natural Area -UNESCO Biosphere Reserve- and, in the distance, glimpse the Huelva skyline.
Coquinas, choquitos, white prawns, ham...
Next to the estuary, look at the beautiful stately homes that shine on the sidewalk, the kind with a front patio where towels hang to dry after a long day at the beach and talks go on forever until well into the morning. It is clear: Punta Umbría is the essence of summer.
The picture changes somewhat later, and where until now there were fishing boats, yachts, sailboats and small ships appear somewhat more luxurious. you have reached the Yacht Club Pier . A few meters from Dock of the Canoes, part of the famous canoe that has been connecting Huelva with Punta Umbría through the estuary all its life.
But with your feet still on the ground, and if the environment excites you enough to indulge in gastronomic delight, don't think twice: the estuary goes a long way!
On the same promenade there are two great Punta classics: the greek , where you can cheer yourself up with a roe dressing, some Moorish tails and some fried fish; and the bar Juanito Coronel , managed by the third generation of the same family and located opposite the fish market. What does this mean? That all you find on their plates will be cool genre , of course. And here two notes: stripe with paprika and crayfish with garlic. They never disappoint.
Odiel Marshes
But to really taste the authentic summer life of the people of Punta Umbria, there is nothing like going to their Broad Street at sunset , when most of the locals go out to get some fresh air.
Blend in with the environment and buy yourself an ice cream at the 19 The Palms , or better yet: come to the legendary bar the snails and get yourself a little cartridge with Russian legs. Then, stroll through the narrow streets of the center while you savor this delicacy.
But wait, we still have to tell. To continue investigating the history of Punta, you cannot miss a visit to the famous House of the English.
What was the former home of a British family today houses a curious museum where you can learn about that British colony that adopted part of the province of Huelva in the 19th century.
Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
Precisely here the appointment is requested to be able to visit another tourist attraction of Punta: the Umbrian Tower , from which lookouts warned of possible attacks by Barbary pirates back in the 16th century. Right next door, the young Church of Our Lady of Lourdes , built in 1950 and the most cult in the town.
The perfect enclave to say goodbye to Punta Umbría as you deserve is very clear: return to the place where you started this visit. Lying on the fine sand of its beaches, it awaits the sunset.
Breathe that essence that only seafaring towns possess. Indulge in the sensation of having salty skin, matted hair and bare feet. Be aware that you are, after all, in a privileged place in the world.
In short: enjoy the moment. And repeat loudly: blessed Huelva corner.
Access walkway to Los Enebrales beach