We propose a unique route that, traversing the Asturian coast from west to east , will stimulate your five senses with delightful experiences. The fishing villages and towns of Asturias are a healing balm against stress, a kind of primal energy that keeps us in tune at all times with fresh air, sea salt, and healthy cuisine. One of the best ways to enjoy Asturias and its coast at any time of year . We bet that if you visit any of these places, you won't stop until you've explored them all. But take it easy, without rushing, with plenty of peace and quiet…
Castropol
We're talking about a picturesque village like few others, located on the westernmost tip of the Asturian coast, still unknown to many. A village boasting an extraordinary historic center , nestled on a beautiful peninsula-shaped hill overlooking the large, and equally beautiful, Eo estuary.
Tapia de Casariego
The town of Tapia de Casariego is a charming fishing village on the western coast of Asturias. Its fishing port is a must-see to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Asturias and savor the freshest seafood in its bars and restaurants. Tapia's beaches and coves offer some of the most memorable swimming in the Principality without even leaving the town center. It also boasts excellent waves, making it one of Spain's surfing meccas.
Tapia de Casariego
The seaside town of Tapia de Casariego is a charming enclave on the western Asturian coast. Its port… Read more
Port of Viavelez
This secluded and enchanting port seems like a whim of the sea. A fishing village with a well-defined estuary, enclosed by slender cliffs. We observe it as one might examine a model, with every element within easy reach. From this vantage point, the locals used to spot the ships that once hunted whales in the Cantabrian Sea. From the dock, we can approach the magnificent viewpoint that marks the beginning of the coastal path between Viávelez and Porcía.
Navia
With its 6.000 inhabitants, it is the most populated town on the western Asturian coast. In the port of Nava, boats of all kinds coexist: fishing boats, large cargo ships, fishing vessels, sailboats… The area around the port is well-stocked with taverns and cider houses. The town center blends its medieval layout with the 19th-century expansion and newer, contemporary neighborhoods. A beautiful seafront promenade runs parallel to the estuary (which is navigable for 4 kilometers and where the famous open water swimming race takes place).
What to see and do in Navia
Navia is one of the most populated and dynamic towns in Asturias, one of those with the most vibrant commercial and industrial activity… Read more
Puerto de Vega
The urban layout of this traditional fishing village evokes a rare, 19th-century romanticism. The beauty of the stately homes is striking in the labyrinthine streets and alleyways. In 1998, it was voted the most beautiful village in Asturias . The local economy is tied to the sea, both to fishing and to the related industries of canning, salting, and pickling. The charming fishing fleet rests in a picturesque port complete with a wall and perfectly preserved battlements that once thwarted piracy in the Middle Ages.
Puerto de Vega, exemplary town
The residents of Puerto de Vega are active and love their town. There are barely 2.000 residents, but they... Read more
Luarca
Luarca's fame extends far beyond its borders, making it one of the most renowned towns in all of Asturias. Known for its charm as the White Town of the Green Coast, it has always had a deep-rooted maritime tradition. Visitors can witness the return of the fishing boats and the auction of their catch at the fish market around three in the afternoon. In the extraordinarily charming fishing port area, you'll find plenty of reasons to sit down at one of the tables in its restaurants and taverns.
Luarca, marine essence
The beauty of Luarca takes the form of a large aquatic S, around which it has found a comfortable place… Read more
Cudillero
A village that lends its name to an entire municipality in western Asturias, where the houses cascade down the hillside, forming successive urban terraces overlooking the sea, creating a beautiful and easily recognizable scene. We're talking about one of the most beautiful villages on the Cantabrian coast , which once boasted the largest fishing fleet in Asturias. The atmosphere of the terraces around Plaza de la Marina is particularly noteworthy . Restaurants and bars set up tables and chairs, inviting visitors to enjoy the local ambiance and a delicious line-caught hake. To truly appreciate the area's photogenic beauty, one should explore the route of its viewpoints: the walk to the lighthouse, La Garita, La Atalaya, El Pico…
Cudillero, the mirror of the sea
Few seaside towns are reflected in the water like Cudillero . A town that gives its name to an entire region… Read more
San Esteban de Pravia
Not so long ago, this port was a hub of activity, operating around the clock, making it one of the busiest on the Iberian Peninsula. The old coal loading docks and massive cranes, the mouth of the Nalón , the most voluminous of Asturias' rivers , its seafaring community, and excellent cuisine combine to create a wealth of reasons to visit the town of San Esteban. On the Nalón estuary, boats connect the two banks—San Esteban and San Juan de La Arena, in the neighboring municipality of Soto del Barco. This area is one of the most prime locations for eel fishing during the winter.
San Esteban de Pravia
There was a time not so long ago when this port of San Esteban de Pravia was worked tirelessly for 24 hours a day… Read more
Luanco
Since the XNUMXth century it has been established as a summer resort. But this picturesque town, close to Cabo Peñas, is well worth a visit at any time of the year.
It has many attractions: the friendly nature of its people, its excellent cuisine, the seascapes or the authenticity of its town center , in which maritime activity has generated a characteristic type of housing, with corridors that later became galleries, usually painted with the same paint as the boats.
Seafaring village of Luanco
Feeling at home here is very easy, which is why Luanco's magic is an open secret. Since the 16th century … Read more
Candás
For much of its history, Candás was the port that set the price of fish in Asturias thanks to its extensive canning industry . A stroll through Candás is a truly rewarding experience. You can start at the port itself and its promenade, which, along with the nearby Palmera urban beach, is one of the busiest areas, brimming with bars and restaurants. The streets of Candás also exude an atmosphere of canning and craftsmanship, with shops specializing in unique items and Asturian products everywhere you look, especially one-of-a-kind tins of preserves.
Candás, tourism in a fishing village
This seaside village, located at one of the northernmost points of the peninsula - just 13 kilometers from… Read more
Bowls
This village retains the essence of an Asturian village, but in this case, a peculiar one, with granaries yet open to the sea, with the feel of a town. The nooks and crannies of its layout resemble the whimsical folds of a net resting in the port, which has ensnared its 300 inhabitants. Here and there, we find narrow streets, small paths that intersect in a friendly labyrinth. The paintings on the balconies and windows are vibrant, and the aroma of cider, seafood, and fish wafts from the main street. There is a tempting array of bars and restaurants that specialize in locally caught fish.
Bowls: the town and the sea
Tazones retains the essence of an Asturian village, but in this case, a peculiar one, with granaries, but… Read more
Lastres
Since the spring of 2014, it has been part of the select club of the "Most Beautiful Villages of Spain." This village continues to boast one of the most famous port scenes in Asturias : fishing boats against the stepped backdrop of this charming seaside town. Around 400 tons of fish are caught here annually, making it an ideal place to enjoy good food and stock up on local preserves. Lastres and its adjacent coastline are also perched atop some of the most historically significant cliffs in the region. The Jurassic landscape is evident at the nearby La Griega beach, with its impressive dinosaur footprints. Just two kilometers from this village is the Jurassic Museum of Asturias.
Lastres: the fishing village
Lastres, in the municipality of Colunga, joined the select club of the "Most Beautiful Villages " in the spring of 2014 … Read more
Ribadesella
Undoubtedly a gem among the Cantabrian seaside towns. The port and the mouth of the Sella River form a magnificent enclave, as we can discover by climbing to the popular Hermitage of Guía. On Santa Marina beach, we enjoy another idyllic stroll among numerous striking mansions built by returning emigrants from the early 20th century. In the town center of Ribadesella, we find a good restaurant at every turn. The local cuisine is among the most renowned in the Principality of Asturias for its tradition, skill, and excellent ingredients. In this town, we can also enjoy one of the most important examples of prehistoric art in the world: the Tito Bustillo Cave.
Ribadesella: what to see in one day
Ribadesella is a privileged enclave ; its location on the seafront and its unique shape make it… Read more
Llanes
The capital of the municipality that bears its name, Llanes is the urban center of a vast, rural, and coastal territory that stretches out along the Cantabrian Sea, dotted with beaches and some of the finest examples of Indiano architecture in all of Asturias. In the town, the sea permeates every corner , offering its flavor and aroma amidst centuries-old buildings, streets and alleyways, squares, small plazas, promenades, and numerous terraces perfect for a relaxing break. Within the town itself lies Playa del Sablón, a charming cove above which runs a long cliffside promenade. The unforgettable Paseo de San Pedro , a kilometer-long walkway, is a gently sloping and inviting path that reveals the true character of the town, a "llanera" nestled between the sea and the mountains.
The town of Llanes
The town of Llanes, capital of the municipality of the same name, is the urban center of a vast territory… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
