Michael Madsen shares the authentic Andalusia with you

Location: El Rocío is one of the most charming places in the province of Huelva. The village of El Rocío is surrounded by swamps and marshlands and it´s the main door to the Doñana National Park

 

by Michael Madsen,
– sharing the authentic Andalusia with you

 

Unique and Timeless…

It´s though you´ve stepped back in time when you stroll through the dusty sandy streets with impressively large white houses complete with verandas and wooden rails for tying up horses, where people in cowboy boots and colourful Seville style dresses line the streets, where horses have the priority over everything and music is played day and night.

For most of the year, the small hamlet of El Rocío is just about as deserted a place as you could wish to find.

These beautiful houses are usually uninhabited except at the time of the pilgrimage.

Enjoy your meal at a restaurant in the sand

It is, nevertheless, not only the sand and the horses that make the village special; No one lives in El Rocio, but don´t make the mistake to think this place is abandoned…

Instead, it’s a site of acts of festive pilgrimage where the devout from the region make their way to the village to visit it´s famous statue of the Virgin Mary.

So there are always big groups of pilgrims accommodated in the many houses in the village – and always a festive atmosphere here.

The Sevilla pavallion in El Rocio

The celebration known as ¨Romeria¨, combines religion and fiesta, and is held 50 days after Easter

The most traditional way to make the pilgrimage is on horseback, in a horse-drawn cart or on foot, wearing the traditional flamenco dress.

Authentic and unique accommodations

Why not take a walk and soak up this rather peculiar and unique atmosphere

Visit the impressive Hermitage of El Rocío, which is a cathedral and home to the Virgin of El Rocío. Across the street you´ll find “Sala de Velas”, where you can buy and light a candle.

In Plaza del Acebuche we can find the “Chozo El Toruño”. 

These huts were built entirely from local plant materials like chestnut, and some even had mud walls. Around the church there are lots of souvenir shops selling pilgrimage-related paraphernalia.

El Rocio is located right next to Spain’s largest wetland area; the Doñana National Park

Storks, swans and flamingos strut in their natural habitat in the Doñana National Park as it houses a diverse ecosystem of regional living creatures, including the endangered Iberian lynx.

Directly from the promenade in El Rocio you have views over the wetlands and see, among other things, storks, swans and flamingos in their natural habitat.

Wetlands of Doñana seen from the promenade in El Rocio

 

 

Here are three nice places to stay in El Rocio:

Studio El Rocio
You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:

 

 

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Palacio Doñana
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El Cazadero Real
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Selected – and unique – farm stays from Booking.com:

Bancalillo redondo – Dúrcal (Alpujarras)

Set in Dúrcal, 31 km from Granada Science Park and 33 km from San Juan de Dios Museum, Bancalillo redondo...

Tambor Del Llano – Grazalema (Cadiz)

Tambor Del Llano, a property with a bar, is set in Grazalema, 29 km from Iglesia de Santa María la...

Cortijo La Loma – La Isleta del Moro (Almería)

Situated in La Isleta del Moro, 1.1 km from Playa del Penon Blanco, Cortijo La Loma features accommodation with a...



Unique accommodation away from the crowds that might interest you:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
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Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
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Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
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Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
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Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
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Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
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Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
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Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
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Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
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Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
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Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

Lakeside Andalusian Finca In A Protected Natural Park by The King’s Litte Walkway; The Caminito del Rey
Fantastic Finca for 2-5 Persons With Private Pool, near the village of Sayalonga, east of Malaga
Truly exceptional places to stay away from tourism in Andalusia
Exceptional rural cottage for 4-7 people located in a quiet environment with views of Sierra Nevada
Great Casita For 2-5 People In The Whitewashed Village Of Gaucin, Near Ronda
Fantastic Country House for 3-5 Persons, near Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas. Paradise On Earth
Charming country house for 3-6 people with amazing views, by the Subbetica nature park, near Cordoba
Rural cottage for 2 persons in the whitewashed village of Cónchar, in the Alpujarras
Traditional Cave Houses for 2-5 persons in the cave house area of Baza, near Granada
Country house for 4-6 people with private pool near the whitewashed village of Comares
Cute Little Finca For 2-4 Persons With Private Pool Near Village Orgiva, In The Alpujarras
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Malaga city
Holiday home with private pool near the beautiful Andalusian village of Comares
Relaxing house for 6 persons with stunning view and private pool
Studio Apartments for 2 Persons In Lakeside Andalusian Finca Near The Caminito del Rey
Beautiful places to stay directly in Gibraltar
Beautiful places to stay in or near Tarifa
Romantic Village House With Great Garden For 2 Persons In The Whitewashed Village Of Otivar, near Granada
Incredibly beautiful country house for up to 8 persons outside the whitewashed village of Olvera
Fantastic village house in the super-beautiful white village of Comares
Love Nest For 2 Persons, Between Seville And Cordoba. A love nest, wide and comfortable, full of charm, details and comforts.
Great And Cosy Finca With Pool For 2-5 Persons Outside Of Frigiliana, Near Nerja
Stone Cottages In A Peaceful Valley Near The Whitewashed Village Of Alajar
Traditional Country House For 4-6 Persons In The Heart Of The Alpujarras
Penthouse Apartment For Up To 7 Persons In The Center Of The Whitewashed Village Of Algodonales
Super Nice Cottages For 4-6 Persons Directly By The Viñuela Lake, East of Malaga
Cortijo Apartments For 2-3 Persons In An Old Restored Farmhouse In The Mountains Behind Malaga
Great Townhouse For 2 Persons With A Wonderful Patio Located In Olvera, Between Cadiz, Seville And Malaga
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism in Marbella
Fantastic Townhouse For 3-5 Persons In a Tranquil Area Away From The Hectics Of The Coast
Beautiful apartment located in the center of Seville, in Plaza del Museo, everything within 10 minutes walk
Luxury Apartments For 4-6 Persons In A Fantastic And Tranquil Resort Away From The Hectic Of The Coast
Fantastic Apartment For 2-4 Persons, In A Charming, Historic House In Jerez de la Frontera
Villa For Up To 6 Persons With Waterfall In The Private Pool
Fantastic Luxury Villa For 8-12 Persons With Private Pool And Lots Of Beautiful Details
Beautiful Country House For 10-15 Persons With 3 Independent Accommodations And Great Views Over The Valley
Cottage For 2-4 Persons In A Pine Forest Directly By The Lake And The King’s Little Pathway; The Caminito Del Rey
1-, 2- And 3-Bedroom Bungalow Apartments With Sea Views In The Hills Behind The Coast
Great Manor House For 2-6 Persons In the Santa Cruz District Near The Center Of Seville
Stylish And Spacious Apartment For 2-3 Persons In The Trendy Soho District Of Malaga City
Great Duplex For 4-7 Persons With Terrace, Swimming Pool And Wifi, Next To The Mezquita Of Cordoba
Luxury Penthouse For 4-5 Persons In The Heart Of The Old Jewish Quarter Of Cordoba
Nice apartment for 2-4 Persons in a cozy mountain village near Granada
Great Apartment For 6 Persons In A Tranquil Complex Just A Few Minutes From The Atlantic Coast
Perfect House For Families Of Up To 5 Persons – With Private Pool And Complete Privacy
Large House For Up To 14 Persons – With 3 Independent Accommodations Near The Atlantic
Apartment For 2-3 Persons Located In The Old Town And Near The Beach
Cosy Little Cottages For 2-3 Persons In A Fantastic Nature Area By The Caminito Del Rey
Charming urban style apartment for 2-6 persons in the center of Granada city
Tranquil Villa For 2-4 People With Pool On The Seaside By Nerja
More Options Within The Cadiz Province
Other beautiful places to stay in Conil de la Frontera
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Granada
Other beautiful places to stay away from the crowds in Seville city center
Other beautiful places to stay away from tourism near Nerja and Frigiliana
Finca Apartment for 2 People With Amazing Panoramic Lake Views From Your Own Terrace
Places to Stay in El Chorro – for climbers and other nature lovers
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Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

“Our stay and Rikke and Michael’s place was incredible!”
“Our stay at Rikke and Mikes was fine”
“We stayed here as part of our Andalucian bicycle tour”
“El Arpa is a truly exceptional place”
“Rikke & Michael’s place was a perfect base for us to climb, walk and explore the gorgeous surrounding area”
“You rarely go to a place where the photos don’t do it justice, but this was just that.”
“Rikke and Michael’s place was perfect”
“Extremely peaceful”
“Amazing spot by the lake”
“The lake is beautiful and extremely peaceful.”
“Very very nice place”
“This place makes you connect with the nature its so beautiful there”
“Thank you both”
“My husband and I were traveling to Spain for a climbing holiday and stumbled upon El Arpa”
“Michael & Rikke were the most attentive and wonderful hosts you could imagine”
“Beautiful location”
“Great location for climbing”
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