The Asturian coastline is considered one of the best preserved: human impact and modern development are felt the least here, many beaches remain non-urbanised and keep their natural beauty, and construction in the coastal zone is strictly controlled. That said, there are plenty of urban beaches with full infrastructure, awarded Blue Flags every year for cleanliness and quality.
For travellers used to the warm waters of the Mediterranean, the first dip in northern Spain is not easy. But the chill is quickly forgotten when postcard-perfect scenes unfold: cliffs rising straight out of the sea turn into green meadows, which in turn run towards distant mountains on the horizon. Asturias is a land of a thousand shades – golden sand, sky blue, deep blue, turquoise and every vivid shade of green you can imagine.
Best beaches: a handpicked selection
Playa de Ballota (Llanes)
It’s impossible to resist the beauty of Ballota Beach – it begs to be on a travel-magazine cover. Especially intriguing is the “salty geyser”: seawater that shoots up through a narrow shaft in the rock at high tide. In Spanish these natural fountains are called bufones, and at the end of the article we’ll list the best places in Asturias to see them. Ballota is a truly peaceful oasis: a crescent of sand edged by low cliffs covered with a thick, fluffy carpet of ferns and gorse; calm water with a gentle surf; and the picturesque islet of El Castro, which looks like an ocean liner entering port. The beach is semi-urbanised: facilities are minimal, but it’s easy to reach. It’s also famous for wild orchids that can be spotted here in summer.
Playa de Andrín (Llanes)
Located just west of Ballota (the Punta el Pandón headland separates them), this Asturian beach captivates with white sand and powerful cliffs battered by waves and wind. From the La Boriza viewpoint you can admire the shell-shaped curve of this pristine white beach, the rocks and lush vegetation. Andrín is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Asturias. However, it can be unsafe: strong currents are possible here, so be especially careful when swimming. The beach is well equipped, rarely overcrowded and has easy access.
Playa de Gulpiyuri (Llanes)
Gulpiyuri is a tiny marine beach with no direct opening to the sea, cut off by a wall of cliffs – the most unusual beach in Asturias. It’s only 50 metres long, and its white sand is washed by seawater that filters through natural rock channels. Gulpiyuri has been a national monument since 2001. You can’t drive all the way to it; you’ll need to walk 10–12 minutes from the nearest car park. Despite its small size and isolation, the beach is subject to tides.
Playa Penarronda (Castropol – Tapia de Casariego)
Penarronda is not just a beautiful place to relax – it’s an official Natural Monument (since 2002). It’s named after a rock that rises from the water near the shore. This unique sandy beach sits on the border between the municipalities of Castropol and Tapia de Casariego. A rare, endangered plant, Malcomia littorea, grows here. The beach is shaped like a scallop shell and forms part of the Oscos-Eo biosphere reserve. A rock on the shore right in the middle of the beach gave it its name (peña redonda). Surrounded by scenic cliffs, it is nevertheless exposed to strong winds – one of the reasons surfers flock here. On calm days, you may find it almost glassy. The beach is well equipped, with parking nearby.
Playa el Aguilar (Muros de Nalón)
El Aguilar, spread out at the foot of tall cliffs, is stunning on sunny days when the pale-gold sand contrasts with the turquoise water and vivid green slopes. Powerful waves make it ideal for surfing, though you’ll also see plenty of casual swimmers. It’s easy to reach by car: good road access, parking and all necessary facilities make it suitable for families. The Ruta de los Miradores coastal trail starts from El Aguilar, linking Asturias’ viewpoints. Wild beaches and endless sea vistas are its calling card.
Playa de Cué (Llanes)
Cué Beach (also known as Antilles or Canales) features powder-white sand protected from the swell by three small islets. At high tide it turns into a natural, wave-free pool – perfect for snorkeling and swimming. The islets almost touch the shore; you can even walk over to the largest one – Isla Grande (also called Islote) – and take fantastic photos of the coast and cliffs from there. The seabed near the beach is rich in marine flora and fauna. You can reach Cué Beach on foot from the village of the same name or by car.
Playa del Silencio (Cudillero)
Playa del Silencio is one of the best beaches in all of Spain – and it’s easy to see why. At the foot of a chalk-white cliff that glows golden in the sun lies a cove covered in pale pebbles. Just offshore you’ll spot a chain of wild islets jutting out of the sea, home only to seabirds. The beach is only accessible on foot: first along a dirt path and then via a staircase of more than a hundred steps. Perhaps thanks to this remoteness, it remains a quiet, secluded place that truly lives up to its name – “the beach of silence”. Come here if you’re seeking peace and pristine nature untouched by development.
Playa de Rodiles (Villaviciosa)
Set in the heart of a nature reserve at the mouth of the Villaviciosa estuary, this beach is considered one of Asturias’ true gems. Surrounded by dense pine and eucalyptus forests, it’s a surfers’ paradise, with some of the best waves along the Bay of Biscay.
Cadavedo Beach
Cadavedo Beach, shaped like a slender newborn crescent moon, lies in a picturesque cove beside the village of the same name. Crystal-clear water and an easy entry explain why it often gets busy: people come here to swim, snorkel and fish. Access is simple, with a convenient approach road, infrastructure and all necessary facilities.
Playa de Poo (Llanes)
This is not only one of the best beaches in Asturias and all of Europe (according to National Geographic), but also one of the most unusual from a geographic perspective. Located at the mouth of the Vallina River, it has a funnel shape that makes the sea almost vanish from sight at low tide, retreating beyond the horizon. At high tide, seawater enters through a channel, filling an emerald lagoon. The calm, almost wave-free water makes it ideal for families with children. From the beach you can also see the Castro de Poo islet – a rock reminiscent of a sunken ship.
Playa de Torimbia (Llanes)
Torimbia sits near the viewpoint of the same name, close to the village of Niembro, within a protected natural area. Although it’s a nudist beach, it’s open to all visitors. Perfectly shell-shaped and sheltered by high cliffs, it remains wild and virtually untouched. It’s easy to reach from the village via a signposted path – a 5–10 minute walk.
Playa de Cuevas del Mar (Llanes)
Set at the mouth of the Nueva River, this beach is protected to preserve its vegetation and unique geological formations. The small, calm cove was sculpted by millennia of sea and wind erosion. Over time, the cliffs have taken on fanciful shapes with grottos and columns. Access is convenient, with parking at the entrance.
Playa de Mexota (Tapia de Casariego)
Mexota lies near the village of Serantes in the Tapia de Casariego municipality. Its sand is strewn with beautiful stones, while sharp rocky ridges rise from the water and sand – no wonder it’s a favourite among photographers. A central islet divides the beach into two parts. Despite the wind, the waves are moderate, so you can enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear, cool water. Mexota is only accessible on foot, so it’s usually less crowded than other Asturian beaches. Note that it’s also a nudist-friendly beach.
Playa de Serín (Gijón)
Serín lies 5 km from the city at the foot of steep cliffs. Getting there isn’t easy – you’ll need to walk – but the feeling of complete calm makes it worth the effort. The surface is sand, gravel and rocks, so water shoes are recommended. The clarity of the Cantabrian Sea here is astonishing.
Playa de Toró (Llanes)
Toró truly impresses: jagged limestone pinnacles, randomly bursting from the water and sand, are the remains of karst formations. It’s especially photogenic at low tide. The beach has appeared in several Spanish films.
Playa de La Ñora (Gijón)
La Ñora is a sheltered, cliff-lined cove that charms everyone who visits. Its golden sand and powerful waves make it a favourite with locals and it gets very busy in summer. Its standout feature is the hiking trail that starts at the eastern end of the beach and climbs to a viewpoint with panoramic coastal vistas.
Bufones – the “sea geysers” of the Asturian coast
A bufón is a geological formation typical of coastal areas – essentially a natural rock chimney (chimeneas marinas). What shoots out is not smoke but seawater. At high tide, waves smash against the cliffs; water is forced up through the channels and bursts out like a geyser, producing a distinctive sound.
To see the bufones in action, you need the Cantabrian Sea to be very rough, with high tide and strong swell coinciding. The most impressive locations in Asturias:
- Bufones de Arenillas (El Palu) – a designated Natural Monument. On the map.
- Bufones de Pría (Pría) – a designated Natural Monument. On the map.
- Bufón de Ballota (Cué). On the map.
- Bufones de Santiuste (Buelna – La Franca) – a designated Natural Monument. On the map.
You may also like
- General regional guide: Asturias: nature, cities, property.
- Nature and eco-areas: Natural Parks of Asturias.
- Northern Spain overview: The North of Spain: guide.
- Local guides: Cudillero, Gijón, Luarca, Ribadesella, Avilés.
