Minas de Riotinto is a small mining town of about 3,700 people in the north of Huelva province. Mining here goes back thousands of years, and in the 19th century the British Rio Tinto Company turned it into one of the largest copper mines in the world. Today its extraordinary landscapes are the heart of the Riotinto Mining Park.
Why visit Minas de Riotinto
For landscapes unlike anywhere else in Europe: open-pit mines in shades of red, ochre and green, and the river Tinto, whose acidic, iron-rich water is a deep red. Scientists study it as an analogue for conditions on Mars.
Top things to do in Minas de Riotinto
The Mining Museum
Housed in the old company hospital, it covers the area’s mining history from prehistory to the 20th century, with a reconstructed Roman mine and a luxury railway carriage.
The mining railway
A historic tourist train runs along the banks of the red river Tinto on part of the old line that carried ore to the port of Huelva.
The Corta Atalaya
A gigantic open-pit mine, closed in 1992, with terraced walls in mineral colours – one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
The Bellavista quarter
The Victorian-style neighbourhood built for the British managers, with houses, a club and a Protestant chapel. House 21 can be visited as a museum.
Best time to visit Minas de Riotinto
Spring and autumn are ideal. Summer is very hot in the mining area; bring water and sun protection.
Getting to and around Minas de Riotinto
Seville is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car, and Huelva about an hour. Buses link the town with both cities, but a car is the easiest option. Visits to the museum, train and pit are usually booked through the Mining Park.
What to eat in Minas de Riotinto
Iberian ham and pork from the nearby Sierra de Aracena, game stews and traditional sweets.
Minas de Riotinto FAQ
Why is the river Tinto red?
Its water is very acidic and rich in dissolved iron and other metals, giving it its red colour.
Do you need to book the mining train?
It is advisable, especially at weekends and in spring; check the Mining Park’s timetable.
