Port of Palos

The port of Palos is a historic anchorage along the Río Tinto in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain. Stone walls line the riverbank where small boats moor at the shallow banks, and the current moves slowly through the sandy water.

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus and the Pinzón brothers set sail from here with three ships and later reached the Caribbean. The settlement was a protected trading point in the 15th century with direct access to the Atlantic through the river mouth.

The port reflects the maritime heritage of Andalusia through its traditional fishing practices and nautical infrastructure preserved from the 15th century.

The port area can be explored on foot, with paths along the river mostly flat and accessible. The nearby fountain La Fontanilla is just a short walk away and signposted as an additional stop.

The river often runs shallow in summer, revealing the original depth of the port and allowing visitors to see the old mooring point clearly from the bank. Traces of shells and sediment on the bottom show where ships once waited and loaded cargo.