The coastline of eastern Asturias has a wonderful array of beaches to suit everyone’s taste, from tiny idyllic coves to vast, sweeping stretches of white sand that go on for kilometres. In between the beaches lie the impressive limestone cliffs, atop which you can hike for miles on the coastal paths or simply hunt some dinosaur footprints that give clues to the areas Jurassic history. (For more on that you can also visit the Dinosaur Museum in Colunga. Great for dino-obsessed kids and with a great playpark besides.)
Between Ribadesella and Llanes, the Picos de Europa mountains sweep down towards the sea, casting an imposing shadow over the coast. If the combination of mountains and coast is your thing then this is a top spot to be.
The western massif of the Picos and the Eastern Asturian coast, from the Mirador del Fitu
Top tip: visit the viewpoint of Mirador del Fitu to get a bird’s eye view of the coastline of eastern Asturias. On a clear day you can see all along the coast from Colunga to Ribadesella as well as getting spectacular views over the Picos mountains.
Trivia: Chi-chi Ribadesella with its stylish seafront and pretty port is where the Princess of Asturias used to holiday as a child.
The main inland towns of the area are all riverside settlements and bustling market towns: Arriondas, Cangas de Onís and Infiesto. Cangas de Onis is the busiest tourist hub of the region in the summer months as the gateway to Picos and to Covadonga. Both Cangas and Arriondas have a big provision of adventure and activity tourist operators, with kayaking the River Sella, horseriding, trekking and quad biking all being popular pursuits.
The beautiful Poo beach in Llanes (it’s pronounced Poe!!) with the mountains behind
For a bird’s eye view of Arriondas and the concejo of Parres check out this video with some awesome drone footage
Back on the coast it would be remiss of us not to mention Villaviciosa with its beautiful estuary (a protected nature reserve and great spot for bird-watching) and its magnificent beach at Rodiles. Rodiles is one of the most famous and popular beaches in all Asturias, and deservedly so. In summer it is a hotspot with great facilities – bars, restaurants, toilets, showers and even a surf-school. Manned by lifeguards from 15th June to 15th September. Outside the peak weeks of summer (mid-July to end August) you can still enjoy the vast expanse of beach mostly to yourself.
Rodiles is also a famous surf-break with a challenging river-mouth wave and a more accessible beach break. If you follow the beach to the end, (you can take the wooden walkway), you will find round the corner the gentle tidal beaches of the estuary at Misiego. Perfect for families with little ones who want to splash in the water but away from the surf.
Just 15 minutes west of Villaviciosa on the motorway we arrive at the vibrant coastal city of Gijón. Read more of our thoughts on Gijón here
