Top Things to Do in Andalusia, Spain: Experience the Romería del Rocío 2025
If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to do in Andalusia, Spain, consider immersing yourself in one of the region’s most powerful cultural and spiritual traditions: La Romería del Rocío. Held annually in El Rocío, Huelva, this extraordinary pilgrimage festival combines faith, music, tradition, and nature like no other event in Europe.
In 2025, thousands of pilgrims once again traveled across Andalusia—on foot, horseback, and in decorated carriages—to accompany the Virgen del Rocío in an emotional procession that lasted nearly ten hours through the sandy streets of this iconic village.
Discover the History Behind El Rocío: A Sacred Stop Among the Best Things to Do in Andalusia
The origins of the pilgrimage trace back to the early 14th century, when the image of the Virgin was called Santa María de las Rocinas. Built under King Alfonso X “El Sabio” in the late 1200s, the first hermitage stood until the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 destroyed it.
The current sanctuary—completed in 1969—presides over a landscape of whitewashed houses and sandy streets. During Pentecost, this village transforms into a vibrant epicenter of faith and culture, where pilgrims honor La Blanca Paloma.
🐎 What Is a Romería? | One of the Most Folkloric Things to Do in Andalusia, Spain
If you’re wondering what to do in Andalusia, Spain during spring or early summer, witnessing a romería is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich experiences imaginable.
A romería is a traditional Spanish pilgrimage, heading to a rural hermitage (ermita) to honor a local saint or virgin. The word comes from “romero,” meaning “one who travels to Rome,” but today it describes local pilgrimages filled with spiritual devotion, Andalusian folklore, music, food, and community celebration.
🎶 A Living Expression of Andalusian Culture
Few events in Spain are as colorful as the Romería del Rocío. Flamenco dresses swirl, riders on horseback lead decorated carriages, wooden chariots, and even tractors through sandy trails, and pilgrims sing sevillanas rocieras in a shared expression of faith and festivity.
🇪🇸 “¡Parece una romería!”
Spaniards often say “¡Parece una romería!” to describe any crowded, chaotic, or overly festive scene—like a bustling market or a packed plaza—reflecting how deeply romerías are woven into everyday language and culture.
Things to Do in Andalusia During Pentecost: Join the Romería del Rocío
Held each year over Pentecost weekend, the 2025 procession began at 2:42 a.m. when the almonteños performed the traditional “salto de la reja”, leaping over the gate to bring the Virgin down for her journey.
- The 10-hour procession wove through sandy streets, visiting over 150 brotherhood houses.
- A special extension of the route through Plaza de Doñana allowed the Virgin to pass in front of the Hermandad de Sevilla’s house for the first time.
- Emotional highlights included children lifted for a blessing, chaplains on shoulders singing the Salve, and petals raining down on the returning Virgin at 12:25 p.m.
How Pilgrims Travel to El Rocío: Horses, Chariots, and Tractors
Pilgrims depart from towns across Andalusia, forming colorful convoys that wind through the Doñana marshes over several days. Modes of travel include:
- Horse-drawn carts adorned with flowers
- Wooden chariots pulled by oxen or horses
- Festively decorated tractors carrying entire families and supplies
- On foot, singing and dancing along the trails
Explore El Rocío Year-Round: Nature, Faith, and Local Charm
Even outside Pentecost, El Rocío delivers unforgettable experiences for those asking what to do in Andalusia, Spain:
- Paseo Marismeño: Scenic walkway facing the wetlands
- Plaza del Acebuchal: Home to ancient wild olive trees
- Aldea Internacional del Caballo: Since 1992, the world’s largest gathering of horses during the pilgrimage
- Doñana National Park: Birdwatching, sunset tours, and guided nature walks
✨ Plan Your Andalusia Adventure: Personalized Travel Consultation
While I don’t offer private tours in El Rocío, I provide tailored travel consultations through Gather to Travel. I’ll help you:
- Design a custom itinerary across Andalusia’s top destinations (Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Cádiz, and more)
- Navigate local festival calendars and secure hard-to-get tickets
- Find authentic accommodations and dining off the beaten path
- Optimize transport logistics during high-season events
👉 Book a consultation with me or follow @gathertotravel_go for insider tips on things to do in Andalusia, Spain.
