Top Ten Asturias Beaches (from west to east)
Asturias has 220 beach options and the overwhelming majority are natural and unspoilt. The Principality is the most lovingly preserved province in all of Spain and even the urban strands here are attractive. Everybody has their own favourites, but we think that our selection of the 10 best beaches in Asturias, having visited these and many more besides, is as reliable a guide as you are likely to find.
One thing that all the locals know, but that many holidaymakers are unaware of, is the importance of the tides. If you want to make the most of Asturias beaches, we recommend that you take into account whether tide is going to be high or low. Some are good either way, but others definitely have a lot more to offer if you know that the sea will recede to leave a half moon of golden sand, or snake in gently through the rocks to allow you to swim up between the banks of cliffs.
You can look up the tides online, so there’s no excuse for not being informed! Finding out about the tide on a selected in internet is very easy, just google : tides in Spain.
Playa de Rodiles
Coordinates: 43°31'59.9"N 5°22'39.7"W
One km of beautiful, fine sand with a lightly toasted colour, the setting is a natural delight, facilities are good, and the temperature deliciously mild. Regarded by many (not only Asturians) as one of the best beaches in Spain, opening onto green-blue water, this is the classic seaside beach that never fails to please. It backs onto a pine forest which is of significant ecological value, and although it has been conditioned for the use of tourists, the shade it provides makes it an a fine spot for picnics. This very pretty Villaviciosa location is a protected nature reserve. It is accessed from the N-632 between Villaviciosa and Colunga, on the eastern bank of the Villaviciosa estuary.
Playa de Guadamía
Coordinates: 43°27'18.5"N 4°58'54.3"W
As the tide comes in, seawater floods gently in through the twisting green banks of the beach for safe, relaxing swims. When the tide is particularly high and if the sea is fierce, you can witness spectacular bufones, or sonic booms, as the sea collides with the rocks and caves below the cliffs, to the left of the beach (see photo below). The mountainous landscape creates a remarkable backdrop for this natural theatre. Access is from Llames village. Drive from Nueva towards Belmonte then turn right for Cuerres and follow indications for Llames and Playa de Guadamía.
Playa de San Antonio
Coordinates: 43°27'34.4"N 4°55'42.6"W
A very cosy and intimate beach of fine sand in a natural spot with a backdrop of views of nothing less than the massive Picos de Europa mountains, topped with snow. We especially admired the view of the emblematic peak of Naranjo de Bulnes and loved the sunsets from this beach and cliff area. It’s all very pretty!
From here, when the tide is low, you will see curious rock formations on the nearby beach of Cuevas del Mar; when the tide is high, you can walk along the cliffs by San Antonio to come upon more sonic sea booms. Accessed from Cuevas del Mar beach by a track that follows on towards Ermita de San Antonio. To get to Cuevas del Mar, drive north from Nueva village towards Villanueva, and follow signs for Cuevas del Mar beach.
Gulpiyuri natural beach
Coordinates: 43°26'51.1"N 4°53'09.5"W
A real gift from nature and a quite unique place. More or less undiscovered until recently, this little village has become more popular in the last few years and can get quite busy at the height of the season; still, it remains an exciting spot and well worth the visit. The action of the sea digging into the limestone cliffs over hundreds of years has created natural tunnels that emerge to the back of the cliffs in the fields beyond. The depression left behind fills with water when tide rises to create a natural pool with its own beach, quite special and very attractive.
Walking around the picturesque cliffs is also recommended. It is accessed from Naves village and although is not signposted, is not too difficult to find.
Playa de Torimbia
Coordinates: 43°26'30.5"N 4°51'09.6"W
A classic and great favourite. You have to walk there, but it’s quite easy. This large, open sandy beach has a tradition of optional nudism, making it a mix of both. Playa de Torimbia tends to win people over and many come back every year.
You park at a viewpoint above and to one side of the beach, making the beach area itself a car-free zone. Walks from here along the ridge of the hill will give you wonderful views of the coast. As a tip, rather than walk here from the viewpoint area which is the normal arrival point, but where parking can be tricky in peak season, we suggest you reach Torimbia from Toranda beach: it’s right alongside, has ample parking and offers an easy, flattish walk.
Playa del Borizo
Coordinates: 43°26'06.8"N 4°48'49.6"W
A wonderful, top quality beach with easy access. Very well balanced, in a natural setting with little villages close by and the mountains as a backdrop, it has a small summer bar with charcoal grill, which smelled delicious when we passed by in July 2010… For the best local places to eat, Rustical Travel will send you further details relevant to the villa or cottage you have booked. Playa del Borizo is located on the little searoad between Barro and Celorio illages.
Playa de Sablón
Coordinates: 43°25'22.2"N 4°45'10.6"W
A small urban beach just 50 meters from medieval quarter of Llanes town. We decided to include this one in our listing for people who want a cosy, popular beach that’s only a stone’s throw from the most interesting area of beautiful Llanes. Good for families with children, it is relatively safe for swimming and close to all the facilities and services you could want. It makes a perfect combination with a visit to town. We have a particularly good tip for dinner at a restaurant with seaviews here. Follow signs for the Sablón parking area on arrival in Llanes.
El Cobijeru
Coordinates: 43°23'46.3"N 4°36'36.2"W
This special, pretty cove will arouse the interest of nature lovers. Indeed, with its caves and cliffs it is considered to be a natural monument. By the beach is a cave that is fantastic for exploring. It leads right into the cliffs above the sea and is very exciting. Wear non-slip shoes and take a torch! Cobijeru is formed by a depression behind the cliffs, where it is surrounded by fields.
Note that to enjoy it properly, you need to go midway between low and high tides. At low tide, the sea recedes too far, while at high tide the depression floods leaving no sand to enjoy. Access is signposted from the village of Buelna and you need to walk the last 5 or 10 minutes.
Playa de La Franca
Coordinates: 43°23'36.0"N 4°34'36.9"W
A large, attractive sandy beach for families, with good facilities and easy access.Very popular, pretty and relaxing, which means it can attract quite a lot of people in peak season. Low tide permits access to Regolgueru beach (see below) to the east and Playa del Oso to the west. There are beautiful long walks from La Franca beach to other nearby beaches, although care should be taken with an eye on the tide to make sure you don’t get cut off.
When the tide comes in, La Franca beach becomes a large, shallow pool, making it particularly suitable for family with small children.
It is close to the Asturias border with Cantabria, past the village of Buelna and just before La Franca village.
El Regolgueru Beach
Coordinates: 43°23'50.5"N 4°32'44.2"W
This one really is off the beaten track: a small cove accessed down a steep cliff path, which some will find challenging and others simply exciting.
Access to the cliff path is from the village of Pimiango (from Mirador del Picu viewpoint, an excellent spot for a picnic). This is the last village and beach in Asturias right by the border with Cantabria. This cove is only visible when tide is at its lowest.
Photo source for Regolgeru beach: Guideasturias.es
Rustical Travel will send our clients a detailed individual guide for your villa’s local area which explains how to find these beaches, some of which are out of the way, and their facilities. We help you plan the day out with recommendations for restaurants and other activities.
We always try to give our clients something more. Expect Rustical Travel to suggest good places to eat near these beaches, whether traditional and romantic venues, or simply a restaurant with an en excellent meal of the day offering value for money. Rustical Travel are the specialists for villas in Northern Spain.
