The Cantabrian Sea has beautiful beaches and many are in Asturias, both in its cities and towns and in remote places where they remain almost virgin. These are the 15 best beaches in the principality.
Beach of Silence
Until recently, this beach in the Asturian council of Cudillero was a paradise for nudists due to its solitude. Now it is more frequented, but it continues to maintain the conditions of a discreet and almost pure place. Spearfishermen who have the certificate from the principality to carry out their activity have a splendid place to fish on this beach with clear waters. The area has the names of Protected Landscape, Special Protection Area for Birds and Site of Community Importance. It has magnificent landscapes, including cliffs and mountains, and to reach it you have to descend a staircase of 111 steps from the town of Castañeras.
Gulpiyuri Beach
It is a small natural jewel that is 100 meters from the coast. The sea was perforating the limestone rock creating a cave that collapsed, emerging a hole of about 50 meters in diameter in which this curious beach was formed inland, although connected to the sea. It is surrounded by cliffs and green vegetation and its only access is on foot, from the San Antolín beach. It is located halfway between the council of Ribadesella and that of Llanes, although it belongs to the latter. The isolation of the place, together with its small area and the deliberate lack of services, has facilitated its maintenance in an almost virgin state. In addition, it was declared a Natural Monument and is part of the Protected Landscape of the Eastern Coast of Asturias.
San Antolin Beach
It is a sandy and gravel beach located in the Asturian town of Naves, about 1,200 meters long and with intense waves as it faces the open sea. It has an estuary into which the Bedón River or Las Cabras River flows, which originates in the nearby Sierra de Cuera. From the beach you can see the eastern foothills of the mountains as they approach the sea. The estuary is also a place of interest due to the abundance of trout. Another attraction near the beach is the temple of San Antolín de Bedón, a Romanesque Benedictine church from the 13th century, which is close to the monastery of San Salvador de Celorio.
Torimbia Beach
It is a spectacular beach with a sandy area that reaches the very bases of the mountainous ramifications that make up the eastern part of the Sierra de Cuera. The beach, wild and beautiful, is part of the Protected Landscape of the Eastern Coast of Asturias and from it there is a beautiful view of the foothills of the mountains. Its sand is fine and the waves are strong. Another of its attractions is that it is semi-enclosed by cliffs. Due to its isolation it is a nudist beach. To get to Playa Torimbia you have to follow a path of about two kilometers from the town of Niembro.
Poo Beach
It is a flat beach delimited by beautiful internal cliffs that hardly allow you to see the open sea. When the tide rises, the water penetrates through the channel naturally opened in the cliff and remains dammed, forming a delicious natural pool. This sea pool with a fine sandy shore is shallow, ideal for the whole family, especially the little ones. The beautiful meadows that surround it are an additional attraction. You can get to the beach directly by car or on foot from the town of Poó.
Rodiles Beach
It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the Villaviciosa estuary, in the Asturian council of the same name. It has a kilometer of fine golden sand and a sea that produces waves that have been classified among the best in Europe for surfing, which is why it attracts a strong national and international tourist flow of enthusiasts of this sport. . Along the beach there is a large picnic area, with pine and eucalyptus trees, ideal for a picnic. The beach is part of the Ría de Villaviciosa Partial Nature Reserve.
Cuevas del Mar Beach
The main attraction of this beach located in the council of Llanes, are the striking holes drilled by the erosion of the sea in the limestone cliffs close to the shore and others further away. Cuevas del Mar beach is easily accessible by car and bus, so it has a large influx of visitors. It is 125 meters long and is located at the mouth of the Cuevas river. Its waves are moderate, although it is not dangerous and it offers a good level of services, including ample parking.
Penarronda Beach
This beach is located near the town of Santa Gadea, between the Asturian councils of Castropol and Tapia de Casariego, belonging to the former. The Dola river or Penarronda stream flows into the place, dividing the beach into two sectors. It is flanked by two cliff structures, Punta del Corno and La Robaleira. It is 600 meters long, being the longest in the Castropol council. In its central part is the Pedra Cstelo. The Sea Wallflower ( Malcomia littorae ), a perennial plant with showy flowers, has its only Asturian habitat in this area. It is also a breeding ground for the Eurasian oystercatcher ( Haematopus ostralegus ), a beautiful face-faced bird.
Aguilar Beach / Campofrío
It is the busiest in the Muros de Nalón council and its main attraction is its rocky area in the middle of the beach. It is located between Punta del Gaveiro and Punta Castiello and is used as an anchorage for recreational boats. It is frequented by surfers and scuba divers. It has easy access and parking and has a small promenade. Aguilar is the starting point of the Ruta de los Miradores, a striking Asturian coastal section.
Serantes Beach
It is located in the council of Tapia de Casariego, near the town of Serantes. It has a useful length of just over 200 meters and the Tol River empties into it. It has wide, fine-grained sand and an attractive golden color. It has moderate waves and is surrounded by a country setting with corn fields and other plantations. It is frequented by fans of scuba diving and sport fishing. Another attraction located a short distance away is the castreño enclosure of El Castelón.
La Espasa Beach
This beach has the curious peculiarity that it is shared by the councils of Colunga and Caravia, since the Carrandi river, which forms the border between the two territories, splits it in two when it empties into the sea. On the Caravia side, the last 75 meters are called Playa de El Pozo de las Pipas, although the sector is independent only at high tide. La Espasa beach is suitable for surfing and in the month of May its winds are used for a picturesque kite-flying festival. Colunga is part of the Coastal Route of the Camino de Santiago and La Espasa was an old pilgrims’ lodging.
Tin Beach
The main peculiarity of this Gijón beach is a gigantic rock very close to the shore that divides the beach into two areas. When the sea level rises, the huge stone looks like an islet. The sand of Playa de Estaño is an attractive burnt gold color and the sea has intense waves, the left side being the most advisable for bathing. It is only 5 kilometers from the city of Gijón and among its enthusiasts are fans of spearfishing and diving.
La Concha de Artedo Beach
This conch beach with crystalline waters belonging to the Asturian council of Cudillero visibly changes its condition depending on whether it is at high tide or low tide. At high tide, the land surface is made up of boulders, but when the tide goes out, it reveals a golden-grained sandbank. It is a very well sheltered beach and is part of the West Coast Protected Landscape. A local legend indicates that it was a site for anchoring submarines during World War II, although there is no documentation to confirm the version.
Cadavedo Beach
Also called La Ribeirona, this Asturian beach is located in the council of Valdés, near the town of Cadavedo. This town became famous in 1951 when it was awarded the name “Most Beautiful Town in Asturias”. Since then, its interest as a tourist destination has grown. The rural beach is crowded in summer, favored by its large parking area and easy access. It was a whaling center during the Middle Ages.
San Lorenzo Beach
This popular beach is located in the heart of Gijón, the most populated city in the Principality of Asturias. Gijón is dotted with its well-known stairs that go down to the coast and this beach goes from Stairs Zero, behind the San Pedro temple, to Stairs 16, at the mouth of the River Piles. It is a kilometer and a half long and has fine golden sand, although the waves are medium to strong, so it is supervised by lifeguards. Due to its location, a high influx is guaranteed and it is the setting for playing beach soccer, beach volleyball, surfing, kayaking and other beach entertainment.