Where the majestic Spanish imperial eagle, Wild Horses, and Iberian Lynx Roam Free
Just beyond the beaches of Costa Ballena, a world of dunes, wild horses, and flamingos awaits.
A short drive inland from the laid-back shores of Costa Ballena and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the landscape begins to shift — and suddenly, the Atlantic breeze carries you into one of Europe’s last great wildernesses: Doñana National Park.
This vast and ever-changing reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the continent’s most important protected areas. With its shifting sand dunes, ancient forests, and vast marshlands, Doñana is not only a refuge for rare and endangered species — it’s a living landscape shaped by wind, water, and centuries of history.
A Landscape in Motion
At the heart of Doñana lie the Dunas de Doñana — towering mobile sand dunes that slowly drift inland, sculpted continuously by wind. Some rise over 30 metres and move year by year, swallowing pine groves and reshaping the terrain. It’s a geological marvel rarely seen in Europe, and it gives the park an almost otherworldly beauty.
Beyond the dunes, the park stretches into a mosaic of ecosystems: wetlands, seasonal lagoons, cork oak and pine forests, and wild grasslands. These marshes, which flood in winter and dry in summer, form one of the most critical wetlands in Europe, supporting an extraordinary wealth of wildlife.
A Sanctuary for Endangered Species
Doñana is often described as a paradise for birds — and it lives up to the name. Every year, thousands of flamingos, herons, spoonbills, and storks descend on its marshes, creating a vivid spectacle of colour and movement. With over 300 recorded species, the park is a vital migratory stopover between Europe and Africa.
But birds are just the beginning.
The park is home to one of the world’s rarest cats: the Iberian lynx. Elusive and once on the brink of extinction, it now survives here thanks to intense conservation efforts and dedicated breeding centres. It shares the terrain with Spanish imperial eagles, red deer, wild boar, badgers, and the increasingly rare European otter.
Among the more curious inhabitants is the Mediterranean chameleon — a slow-moving, colour-changing reptile that thrives in the underbrush and low shrubs of Doñana’s forests and dunes. It is one of the few places in Europe where this shy and remarkable species still lives in the wild. With its swivelling eyes and unique camouflage, the chameleon adds yet another layer to the park’s rich ecological tapestry.
Roaming the open marshes, you may also spot wild horses — the Marismeño and Retuertas, the latter believed to be one of Europe’s oldest breeds, with roots possibly stretching back to the Bronze Age. These horses are part of a living tradition. Every summer, in the centuries-old Saca de las Yeguas, local breeders gather them in a dramatic roundup that keeps the population in balance and celebrates a deeply rooted rural heritage.
A Place Shaped by Nature — and by People
While Doñana’s natural wonders are its most striking feature, the region is also steeped in history. From Phoenician traders and Roman settlers to Moorish rulers and Spanish kings, this land has long been a point of passage and connection.
One of the most famous events is the Romería de El Rocío, an annual pilgrimage that brings thousands of devotees on horseback and in colourful wagons to the whitewashed village of El Rocío, just outside the park. It’s a dazzling celebration of Andalusian culture, faith, and horsemanship — and a reminder that human traditions here are just as vibrant as the wildlife.
Visit Dunas de Doñana National Park
Visitors can explore Doñana by guided 4×4 tours, horseback rides, or boat excursions along the Guadalquivir River. These tours reveal the park’s hidden corners >>