El Portil
The town of El Portil is a small, but popular beach resort on the Costa de la Luz, situated in the Huelva province, six kilometres from Punta Umbria. The area is distinctive for its freshwater lagoon nature reserve, set in an area of outstanding beauty with magnificent sea views.
During July and August lots of Spanish holidaymakers visit the town and its beaches, and you will need to book in advance if you want to find accommodation.
History
Spanish visitors have been taken holidays in El Portil since the 1900s, when a ferry line from Huelva was established with steamboats crossing to carry tourists. Even today, during the summer, boats known as ‘canoas’ still run, between Huelva and Punta Umbría at regular intervals.
About town
The town has been developed as a holiday resort, and although there is not much nightlife in El Portil, there are plenty of good shops, bars and restaurants.
Beaches
El Portil is the setting for one of the best beaches in Spain, and along the local coastline here offers some superb beaches.
The closest to the town is the Playa La Mata Negra, with its many restaurants, bars and summer chiringuitos (beach bars). The beach also
provides excellent family facilities including sun beds and parasols, toilets and a lifeguard during summer months. There are water sports companies offering windsurfing, sailing and boat trips.
Nature
El Portil sits on the banks of the Río Odiel river estuary and is surrounded by extensive salt marshes, which make up the El Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel. The park has some of the best migration and general bird watching anywhere in Europe.
Golf
The Nuevo Portil Golf course islocated within El Portil itself, and there are some lovely holiday rentals for those among you that love golf and don’t like the mass-tourism and too crowded
beaches.
Cuisine
There is a good choice of bars and restaurants in El Portil, serving mainly Andalusian cuisine, and
seafood.
Andalusian cuisine has an Arabic influence, the occupation made a strong impact on the cuisine of
southern Spain. Typical today are barbecued meats, sauces flavoured with cumin or saffron and sweets made from crushed almonds. Plus cured meats and sausages, such as chorizo and morcilla.
The region is also famous for its grilled fish, especially sardines, deep fried calamares (squid). Tapas were invented in Andalusia and a wide variety of them are served throughout the region.
Climate
El Portil enjoys a mild climate, with little rain and more than 3,000 hours of sun a year.
