Peña de Arias Montano
Explore Huelva on this private day trip from Seville to Aracena and Riotinto, with an inside visit to the Cave of Wonders and views of the Riotinto Mines.
The Aracena region, located in the northern part of the province of Huelva, just a short drive from Seville, is a picturesque and culturally rich area centred around the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. This remarkable region is renowned for its stunning landscapes, charming whitewashed villages, rich gastronomy (particularly jamón ibérico), and traditional Andalusian culture. On this private day trip from Seville, you will explore the main highlights including the enchanting Grotto of the Marvels (Gruta de las Maravillas) and the striking views of Riotinto.
On this private day trip, you will:
Travellers to the South of Spain looking to go beyond the well-trodden tourist trail and get under the skin of this vast and diverse region would do well to include Aracena on their itinerary. This spectacular excursion offers the chance to delve into its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and world-class gastronomy. Your Andalusian adventure begins at your hotel in Seville, where you will be picked up by your knowledgeable local driver-guide and taken on a pleasant journey north towards Aracena, a scenic route through the region’s rolling hills, dense oak and cork forests and lush green pastures. Throughout your day, you can count on your dedicated local driver-guide insights and personalized service, ensuring a relaxing and informative experience tailored to your interests.
Your first destination will be the village of Aracena, nestled in the lush Picos de Aroche Natural Park. You will stroll through its charming whitewashed streets and make your way to the Grotto of the Marvels (Gruta de las Maravillas), a mesmerizing cave system filled with glittering stalactites, underground lakes, and dramatic rock formations. Discovered in the early 20th century, these caves are now one of the most cherished natural attractions in Andalusia and offer visitors a magical and otherworldly experience.
Your itinerary will continue through the Dehesa de la Sierra Morena, a distinctive and beautiful landscape stretched across the foothills of the Sierra Morena mountain range. Dehesa is the term used for an oak-filled pasture that is integral to Iberian Ham production, one of the region’s most famous exports. Your guide can explain how the dehesa system has been cultivated for centuries, originating in Roman times and evolving during the Middle Ages as a way to balance agricultural productivity with the natural environment. It represents a harmonious interaction between people and nature that has thrived for generations and is a perfect habitat for free-range Iberian pigs who you will no doubt encounter along the way.
As you head deeper into this serene and bucolic environment, your guide will make several stops at emblematic places such as the Almonaster la Real mosque, one of Andalusia’s most remarkable examples of early Islamic architecture, the Medieval Castle of Aracena or the Peña de Arias Montano, a tranquil viewpoint that boasts incredible views of the Aracena mountains, the rolling dehesas and even parts of Portugal on a clear day. Then it will be time to discover the surreal, Mars-like terrain of Riotinto, where the striking red hues of the landscape meet the emerald waters of the Río Tinto river. Your guide can explain the enthralling history of this former mining town, whose rich mineral deposits have been exploited for over 5,000 years.
Of course, traversing these epic landscapes and learning all about the nuances of Iberian Ham production is bound to work up an appetite, so your guide will be sure to make time to sample this culinary delight for yourself. You will learn about the different types of Iberian Ham, from Jamón Serrano to the high-end Jamón de Bellota, with its distinctive nutty flavour and high-quality fat profile derived from the abundant supply of acorns for the pigs to feast as they roam the Dehesa. You will also uncover the importance of local towns like Jabugo where generations of farming families have worked hard to put Spanish ham on the map.
By the time you return to Seville, you will be left with a deep appreciation for the Aracena region having spent an unforgettable day in the Andalusian countryside.
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