La Puebla del Río, marshland paradise and gateway to Doñana
La Puebla del Río is a marshland paradise on the banks of the River Guadalquivir. It was founded by King Alfonso X ‘the Wise’ as a defensive bastion. Today, it is home to artists, the origin of the Sevillanas music and dance, land of bulls and horses, and one of the world’s leading producers of rice. This town enjoys a privileged location, with protected areas nearby such as Doñana Natural Park and Brazo del Este Nature Reserve.
Experience the beauty of its nature in Cañada de los Pájaros or Dehesa de Abajo Natural Parks, where you can learn all about the world of birds. You will fall in love with its film-worthy landscapes while taking in the fresh air of the marshes. Enjoy the exquisite cuisine with local products from the river such as the albur (flathead grey mullet) and crab, or the land such as duck rice, the town’s signature dish.
Getting to La Puebla del Río
If you travel by car to La Puebla del Río from Seville, take the SE-30 ring road towards Huelva and enter A-8066 at exit A15 to San Juan de Aznalfarache/Mairena del Aljarafe/Coria del Río. Continue straight ahead and take the A-8058 until your destination.
Although this town does not have a train station, there are three bus lines from Seville. Bus lines M-140 and M-141 stop at La Puebla del Río and line M-143 to Isla Mayor also stops in the town.
Getting around
Stroll through the streets of this beautiful town or along the banks of the River Guadalquivir. Take a hike through Cañada de los Pájaros or Dehesa de Abajo and discover flora and fauna of this unique paradise.
Reasons to visit
- If you like ornithology, you can watch the Iberian imperial eagle, flamingos, white storks and a variety of water birds at Cañada de los Pájaros.
- Try the delicious duck rice served in some of La Puebla del Río’s restaurants.
- Confectionery is another local delicacy. Be sure to try the cañitas and quemaítos.
- Watch a beautiful sunset over the rice fields in the marshlands. This landscape is unique to Andalusia.
- Discover ‘El Bala’ hut at Dehesa de Abajo, an old house like the ones used by the marsh workers.
- Visit one of the bull-breeding farms or equestrian centres typical of this town.
- Experience the town’s main festival, La Feria, which takes place on Corpus Christi Day.
- Enjoy some film-worthy views from the viewpoint known as the ‘Balcony of the Guadalquivir’.
- Do not miss Doñana International Bird Fair at Dehesa de Abajo, with a countless number of tourist activities.
What to see
Start your architectural tour of La Puebla del Río at the Nuestra Señora de la Granada Church, the town’s main church. It is devoted to the patron saint whose feast day is on the 8th of September. This Gothic Mudejar church was built after the town was founded by King Alfonso X, ‘the Wise’. You can reach from here the Balcony of the Guadalquivir, located at Calle Betis. This impressive 500-metre long viewpoint offers beautiful views of the river. Head towards Plaza de Blas Infante, walking parallel to the river, where you will be able to taste duck rice, the town’s typical dish, in several restaurants.
Continue along the traditional Calle Larga and watch los cigarreros –the demonym for the people of La Puebla del Río– go about their day-to-day life. You will reach the Shrine to San Sebastián, another outstanding Gothic Mudejar monument. You can sit down and relax in the quaint adjoined square while you admire its beauty. If you visit the town on the 20th of January, you can experience the festivities in honour of the patron saint, San Sebastián, which includes the running of bull calves and a bullfighting festival. Another tourist attraction is the old Hacienda de Myro where olive oil was produced. Only the façade, chapel and tower with a rooftop viewpoint remain standing, with beautiful views of the River Guadalquivir.
However, the best thing about La Puebla del Río is its unique natural surroundings. If you like landscapes of contrasts, you can enjoy pine groves and marshes with rice fields. Given its location as the gateway to Doñana National Park, this town has considerable environmental value. Notable among these is the Cañada de los Pájaros Reserve, where one can watch a countless number of birds and take remarkable photos. Nearby is the Dehesa de Abajo with a visitor centre, where you can take a bite and relax, and spend a beautiful day in the countryside. There is a replica of a marshland hut in which the rice farmers lived in the marshlands.
You can also take a guided tour of a bull-breeding ranch or equestrian centre located on the outskirts of town. Remember that La Puebla del Río is the land of artists, including the bullfighter Morante de La Puebla and the horse-riding bullfighter-lancers Peralta brothers. All three them have bull-breeding farms that can be visited by appointment.
Places to visit
- Shrine to San Sebastián
- Hacienda de Myro
- Nuestra Señora de la Granada Church
- Hijos de Dolores Rufino bull-breeding farm
- Dehesa de Abajo Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
- Cañada de los Pájaros Nature Reserve
- Brazo del Este Natural Park
- Doñana National Park
Surroundings
La Puebla del Río sits 19 kilometres from Seville, on the right bank of the River Guadalquivir, inside Doñana National Park. It has a rich environmental heritage with several protected areas of scientific and tourist interest. Notable in this natural setting are the Cañada de los Pájaros and Dehesa de Abajo nature reserves.
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