Travel route along the coast of Asturias in 7 days

We visited the beaches of Toró, Cué and Ballota on the coast of Llanes. Beaches surrounded by mountains with crystalline water and a breathtaking landscape.    

• Visit the viewpoint of La Boriza, where we have a spectacular panoramic view of the coast.

After the tour of the impressive beaches of the eastern coast of Asturias, we went to eat on the beach of Andrín where we had been recommended the El Castru beach bar, on the same beach. With those impressive visits we enjoyed our first meal in Asturias.    

• Taste the Asturian cider and learn how to pour it.

After lunch, we head for the next point on our route, the jokers of Arenillas, considered the biggest joker on the east coast, as it can reach up to 40 metres in height.    

• A bufón is formed by limestone rock that has been eroded by the sea, forming karstic cavities. When the tide rises, the holes are filled with water and a spray comes out, accompanied by a sound similar to that of a jester, hence its name. There must be waves to see it at its best.

The next point of our route by the coast of Asturias, is the beautiful beach of Cobijeru, an inner beach located to in the locality of Buelna. It is an inland beach, connected to the sea through a crack of tens of meters, so the beach is also subject to the tides.     

• You have to take into account that if the tide is low, there will be no water on the beach. Check the state of the tide first.

From the beach of Cobijeru we went to the famous village of Llanes, a council of Asturias that holds the title of "Very noble and loyal village", a medieval town, located between ancient walls with an active port and canals, as well as the best beaches in the area.    

• What to see and do in Llanes: Stroll through the medieval old town, visit the Monastery of San Antolín de Bedón, the Cubes of Memory, the Church of Santa María del Conceyu, the medieval tower, Paseo de San Pedro and the best beaches in Asturias.

We finish the day on the beach of La Vega, to watch the sunset, having a drink in their chiringuitos. An area with a lot of atmosphere, perfect to see the sunset.    

• This beach is perfect to have a drink watching the sunset.

We started our day in the garden of the hotel La Calma, with an incredible breakfast enjoying a breathtaking view.    

• The breakfasts at the hotel with those views were incredible.

The first stop of the day was the beach of Cuevas del Mar, located at the mouth of the Nueva River, where we found some curious and original cavities, carved by the effect of the waves and the sea, when breaking on the rock walls of the cliffs of the beach.    

• As it happens in all the beaches of Asturias, we have to consult the tide, because with high tide we will not be able to access the rocks and caves.

From Cuevas del Mar we go up the narrow path that crosses the hill, until we reach the beach of San Antonio. A beach with turquoise water, surrounded by cliffs, green meadows and in the background the incredible snow-capped Picos de Europa. This place is really incredible. We were enjoying the beach and taking pictures. Besides, we couldn't avoid swimming in this impressive place. We also went for a walk along the cliffs of the area, with incredible views.    

• From the Cuevas del Mar beach you can access the incredible San Antonio beach. We can reach it from the beach bar by a path that takes us to a farm, where we go through the gate until we reach this incredible beach, or from the Cuevas del Mar beach, through a narrower path that crosses the hill.

In the afternoon we had a very interesting activity. A paddle surfing route along the Barro estuary, where we can contemplate the mythical postcard image with the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Barro.    

• In the estuary of Barro you also have to pay attention to the tides to program the schedule of the activity.

In the afternoon we went to visit the small fishing village of Lastres, a fishing village located in the Colunga council, famous because it was the setting for the TV series, Doctor Mateo. Lastres stands out for its colourful, steep streets and stately houses overlooking the sea.     

• The best plan in Lastres is to get lost in the narrow streets of the historical centre with its beautiful manor houses. Don't miss the Church of Santa María de Sábada, the Calle Real with its flirty houses in a seafaring style and the Clock Tower. We recommend you to take a walk through its fishing port and the beach with another beautiful perspective of the town.

To finish the day we went to the chiringuito on the Playa Madre to watch the sunset, with a view of the sea and a very cool atmosphere. We had a drink and a snack. From there we went to the hotel to sleep and rest.    

• This chiringuito is highly recommended for watching the sunset.

On the third day of our journey along the coast of Asturias, we made a tour of the coastal path by bicycle along the sea, one of the activities that you cannot miss in Asturias. As we left from Celorio, we decided to go in the direction of Llanes, because we didn't have time to go through the whole area by bike.    

• The coast of Asturias, with its almost 350 km, is one of the tourist attractions of the Principality. Part of the coast can be covered by different sections of coastal path. An activity that you cannot miss in Asturias.

We cycle along the coastal path from Celorio and arrive at San Martín beach, a real paradise, a virgin beach that is not overcrowded. Crystal-clear waters, white sand and strong waves, perfect for surfing. We go down with the bikes and have a lollipop in this incredible place.    

• It is important to visit it at low tide to be able to access the beach. Here we find the ancient remains of the Romanesque chapel of San Martín.

We continue our journey along the coastal path, hallucinating the landscape, until we reach Poo beach, which receives the water that enters the channel when the tide rises, creating a natural pool, surrounded by green meadows. After resting for a while on Poo beach, we continue along the coastal path with the bikes back to Celorio.    

• To see Poo beach in its splendour you have to look at it at high tide, because if there is no water. We saw it at low tide and it is not so beautiful but we were lucky enough to see San Martin at low tide and it was impressive.

The next stop on our route along the coast of Asturias was the spectacular beach of Torimbia, located in Niembro, an extensive shell-shaped sandy area, with golden sand, crystalline waters and surrounded by imposing cliffs. Torimbia has been a reference point for nudism in Asturias since the 1960s. A really incredible beach that moves us for a moment to Hawaii.    

• From the car park we have spectacular views of the place and we can go down a path to enjoy this incredible beach. Next to Torimbia, we have the beach of Toranda.

From Torimbia we went to Gulpiyuri beach, an inland beach classified as a Natural Monument, which comes directly from the sea. White sand and crystalline water that slips between the cliffs. The place is incredible, although it is usually quite crowded.    

As in the other beaches of Asturias, it is important to pay attention to the tide because the beach empties when the low tide begins.

• To get to Gulpiyuri, you have to leave your car in the car park and walk for about 10 minutes along an agricultural pathHuelga Beach.

After spending the afternoon from beach to beach, we went to visit the village of Tazones, located in the council of Villaviciosa. Tazones is a small fishing village with coloured houses and the smell of the sea, where time seems to have stopped. Besides, it was the first port that the emperor Carlos V knew in his first trip to Spain in September 1517.    

• In Tazones we recommend you to take a walk and get lost in its narrow streets. Also, go to the port and watch the fishermen doing their work while you watch the sunset. You can also visit its lighthouse, one of the best preserved on the coast of Asturias.

We met at 9 in the morning in Cangas de Onis and from there we left for Picos de Europa in our 4×4 Land Rover.

• This tour of Picos de Europa is highly recommended if you are planning a trip to Asturias.

The first stop was the village of Luanco, the closest fishing village to Peñas, the northernmost point of Asturias. We took a walk around the port and had a coffee.    

• In Luanco the best plan is to take a walk through its historical centre, with its Clock Tower, and its promenade. At the end of La Marina beach we find the church of Santa Marina.

We ate at Casa Cuevas in Cain. The menu was very good and it was 12 Euros with two dishes, dessert and drink.

We continue our route in 4×4 through Picos de Europa by the village of Santa María de Valdeón, going up by off-piste roads with incredible views of the Liébana valley. We arrive at Fuente Dé, where we find its famous cable car, with a length of 1840 meters, which saves a difference in level of 753 meters. From there we follow the route to the Aliva mountain passes.  We were in the middle of two glacial valleys, a really spectacular place. And crossing the border between Cantabria and Asturias we saw the sunset in this incredible place.    

• Just to see these landscapes, it is worth doing this excursion to Picos de Europa.

The next stop on our route along the western coast of Asturias was Cabo de Peñas, the northernmost point of Asturias, where we can see cliffs over 100 metres high.    

• Cabo de Peñas was declared a protected landscape. The area is crowned by the lighthouse of Cabo Peñas, the most important and farthest away from the Asturian coast.

Next point, the famous village of Cudillero, hidden between the sea and the land and set in colourful ramshackle houses, with a photogenic, unique and different touch. A seafaring town with the smell of the sea that still preserves its traditions. We were going to eat in Cudillero but as there were quite a few people, we decided to follow the route and eat on the way. This way we would have more time to visit more corners of the western coast.    

• The best plan in Cudillero is to get lost in the narrow streets between the fishing quarters, eat fresh fish, enjoy the views from the viewpoints and disconnect from this town where time seems to have stopped.

We follow our route to Cabo Vidio, where we find an impressive 80-metre cliff. Cabo Vidio represents one of the most important capes in Asturias because from here we can see the Cabo de Peñas.    

• In the Cabo Vidio we can also visit the last lighthouse built in Asturias between the years 1948 and 1950. It is also one of the newest in Spain.

The next stop on our route along the western coast of Asturias is the famous Playa del Silencio, a shell-shaped beach protected by cliffs and islets, which soften the force of the sea, creating a truly magical environment.    

• It is a virgin beach where nudism was formerly practiced, but now it is much more crowded. We recommend going there soon, especially in high season, to have a good place.

Before the next point we stop on the way to eat at a menu bar. After lunch we visit the Regalina hermitage, built in 1931 with the aim of becoming a place of pilgrimage for the patron saint of Cadavedo.

• The church, with its blue tones, is charming and the enclave spectacular, as we can enjoy incredible views of the cliffs. In addition, there are two hórreos, which give a special touch to the place.

We continue our route along the coast to the chiriniguito Menos Mal, in Playa de Porcia. We had a bite to eat and something to drink. We were going to stay and watch the sunset, but in the end we decided to go to the village of Viavélez. 

• The views are super cool and the chiringuito has a lot of atmosphere. We highly recommend this place on the western coast of Asturias, especially at sunset.

Viavélez, a remote village with a charming fishing port that transmits calm and peace and takes us to another era. This small town is the best example of the beauty of the western coast of Asturias, of its ports and fishing villages. We spent the afternoon and watched the sunset in that enigmatic lighthouse overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. A magical place where they are.

• We recommend you to get lost in its narrow streets until you reach the fishing port and contemplate the fishmongers with their boats. From the viewpoint of El Porto we have spectacular views of the village, where we discover the most beautiful corner of our route along the coast of Asturias. In December 2020 the lighthouse was destroyed by a storm. We hope they will fix it soon so that we can enjoy this place.

We could not leave Asturias without doing one of its star activities, the descent of the Sella in kayak. We did the short route from Arriondas and stopped at the first stop, taking a break at the chiringuitos we found along the way to eat and drink some cider.    

• The descent has departures from 11:00 to 13:30 in an interrupted way and the trip usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, making the stops and rests you want. 

Cangas de Onis, the cradle of the Reconquest, was the first city and court of the Asturian monarchy and the Iberian Peninsula. We went for a walk around the town and visited its mythical Roman bridge with the Victoria Cross , one of the most visited monuments in Asturias.    

• Cangas de Onis is the ideal starting point to visit Picos de Europa and Covadonga lakes. We recommend you to take a walk through its historical centre with a great gastronomic variety and atmosphere. 

From Cangas de Onís we went to Covadonga, origin of the first Christian kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula when the Reconquest began in the 8th century. A place that is a spiritual reference and famous religious icon thanks to the heroic story of Pelayo. In addition, Covadonga enjoys an impressive natural landscape, being the gateway to the spectacular lakes of Covadonga.    

• What to see in Covadonga: Basilica of Santa María Real de Covadonga, lakes of Covadonga, Royal Museum of the Site of Covadonga, Monument to Don Pelayo, La Campanona, La Santa Cueva, La Fuente de los 7 caños...

After our walk through Covadonga, we set off for Covadonga Lakes, one of the most emblematic and mythical places in Asturias and the most famous in Picos de Europa. Beautiful lakes of glacial origin, at 1,100 meters high, and where the incredible shapes and colours of the imposing mountains are reflected. We enjoy a truly magical sunset.    

To control tourism in this natural area, the access road is closed from June to mid-October, at Easter and several national bridges. From 8:30 to 21:00, the road up to the Lagos de Covadonga is not accessible.

• We recommend going by public bus or private taxi. If you go early in the morning it is better before it gets crowded. Although our recommendation is to go at sunset with a magic light to enjoy this incredible place without people.

Gijón is the most populated city in Asturias, it is full of bars and restaurants and has a great atmosphere. It also has one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Spain, San Lorenzo beach. The best way to get to know the city is to hire a free tour.    

• The most essential points in Gijón: San Lorenzo beach, Monumento Elogio del Horizonte, Barrio Cimadevilla, Free Tour in Gijón, Letronas de Gijón.

Oviedo, located in the heart of Asturias, is the capital of the Principality and the second most populated municipality after Gijón. It is known for its beautiful historic medieval quarter and its exquisite gastronomy. We spend the afternoon touring the centre and the most essential points of Oviedo.    

• What to see in Oviedo: Walk through the historical centre of Oviedo, Free Tour in Oviedo, Oviedo Cathedral, Plaza de la Constitución, Mercado del Fontán, Campoamor Theatre, Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo, Calle Gascona, Santa María del Naranco Church, Monte del Naranco.