Mazagón is a low-key beach resort 16 km southeast of Huelva, less developed than its neighbour Matalascañas and all the better for it. The coastline here runs along the edge of the Parque Nacional de Doñana, with long stretches of sand backed by pine woods.
One of the best beaches is six kilometres east of town on the Matalascañas road, by the Parador Cristóbal Colón. Unusually for this stretch of coast, where beaches tend to be open and exposed, this one is backed by sandstone cliffs. The parador sits on top with a swimming pool and gardens overlooking the beach. Further along at Km 38, a beautiful quiet stretch called the Cuesta de Maneli requires a 10-minute walk over the dunes through scrub and small pines — in summer a few chiringuito beach bars set up along the sand.