The Asturian coast boasts miles of deserted beaches of white and golden sand. Far from the crowds of the Mediterranean coast, nature blends between the green of the mountains and the blue of the sea. The natural coves hide true picture-perfect landscapes; some are surrounded by cliffs, others are surrounded by verdant vegetation and even are made up of beautiful rock formations.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Asturias are difficult to access, allowing you to enjoy them practically alone. It’s worth exploring the impressive coastal paths to spend the day surfing or simply relaxing in these charming spots. Below, we’ll discuss the best beaches in Asturias:
Beach of Silence
It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. It is located in Castañeras (Cudillero district) and, as its name suggests, is a quiet, uncrowded beach. To reach it, follow a marked dirt path and descend about 100 steps. It is about 510 meters long and surrounded by imposing cliffs. The frontal view shows a row of wild islets jutting out of the sea, inhabited only by seabirds. Playa del Silencio is made of pebbles, making it ideal for scuba diving or underwater fishing.
Gulpiyuri Beach
Located in Naves (Llanes municipality), it is one of the most unique beaches in Asturias. A circular enclave, approximately 50 meters long, sheltered from the coast and surrounded by cliffs and vegetation. At high tide, Gulpiyuri Beach receives seawater through an underground conduit, making it resemble a natural swimming pool (albeit with the effects of high and low tide). It is no wonder that it was declared a National Monument in 2001. To reach it, you must cross a path surrounded by meadows. You can park your car at the trailhead or walk about 12 minutes from Naves.
Torimbia Beach
It ‘s located in Niembro (Llanes municipality), in a protected landscape on the eastern coast. Although it’s a nudist beach, it welcomes all types of visitors (with and without swimsuits). It’s 500 meters long and perfectly shaped like a shell. It’s sheltered by enormous cliffs, making it a wild and virtually unspoiled beach. It’s easily accessible via a marked path, which takes about 5-10 minutes on foot.
Ballota Beach
Located near the village of Cué (Llanes municipality), it is also a protected landscape due to its environmental importance. It is a calm beach with gentle waves and a very photogenic islet: the Castro islet. Its main attraction during high tide is an active blowhole. The water crashes against the rocks and rushes upward through the rocky chimney cut into the cliff. The beach is accessed via a dirt path (easy on foot), and nudism is possible at its far end.
Rodiles Beach
It is located next to the mouth of the Villaviciosa estuary (Villaviciosa municipality). It is surrounded by a pine and eucalyptus forest and belongs to the Villaviciosa Estuary Nature Reserve. Although it is one of the busiest beaches in summer (perhaps due to its easy access), it is one kilometer long and three hundred meters wide, so it is a beach with plenty of sand to lay out your towel on. Furthermore, this beach attracts surfers from all over Spain, as it is a surfing paradise.
Cuevas del Mar Beach
Located at the mouth of the Nueva River (in the municipality of Llanes), it is also a protected landscape due to its vegetation and geological formations. This cove of calm waters was formed by erosion caused by the sea and wind, transforming the cliffs into curious carved cavities. Access is easy, and you can drive to the beach itself, which is approximately 125 meters long.
Poo Beach
It is located next to the mouth of the Vallina River (in the municipality of Llanes) and is considered one of the best beaches in Europe according to National Geographic magazine. The 150-meter-long sandy beach is funnel-shaped, so, surrounded by cliffs and green areas, the sea is invisible on the horizon. Its calm, emerald colored waters rise and fall through the channel, creating an almost natural pool. This is why many families f lock to this beach, as it is an ideal place for children to play in the sea. Furthermore, from the beach you can see the Castro de Poo islet, a rock shaped like a sunken ship.
Andrín Beach
It is located in Andrín (Llanes municipality) and is adjacent to Ballota Beach, separated only by Punta el Pandón. The currents at this beach are unpredictable and the waves are violent, so caution is recommended. From the Boriza viewpoint, you can appreciate the shell-like shape of this beautiful white sandy beach, the cliffs, and the vegetation, stretching over 200 meters. You can also enjoy views of its neighborhood (La Ballota). It is easily accessible via a path that leads from the parking lot to the beach. You can also check out other beaches in Llanes.
Penarronda Beach
It is located next to Santa Gadea (in the municipality of Castropol and Tapia de Casariego). It is part of the Oscos-Eo Biosphere Reserve (its flora includes endangered plants such as the Malcomita littorea or sea wallflower) and has been designated a Natural Monument. It is a 600-meter beach of fine, golden sand, flanked by two cliffs. Right in the center of the beach, on the shore, is a rock that gives the place its name (Peña Redonda). Being a windy spot is a good meeting point for surfers.
Aguilar Beach
It ‘s located in Muros de Nalón (municipality of the same name), where the Miradores Route begins. This trail runs along the Asturian coast, offering views of the wild beaches from the clifftops. Although the waves are strong, making it a perfect spot for surfing, it’s also a good place for diving and fishing. Access is incredibly easy, as the road runs right in front of it, and all the services are available.
Mexota Beach
It is located in the village of Serantes, in the municipality of Tapia de Casariego (Western Asturias). Mexota Beach (or A Mixota) is a beautiful sandy beach, about 200 meters long, protected by high cliffs and dotted with beautiful rocks that are essential for taking original photographs. The beach is divided into two parts by a central island that gives the whole area its personality. Although it is often windy, its waves are moderate, allowing for a pleasant swim in its crystal-clear (and cold) waters. Access is via a path that starts in Villamil or Serantes, so crowds are lower than at other Asturian beaches. This makes it a favorite among nudists.
Verdicio Beach
Located in Gozón (central Asturias), it’s also known as Tenrero Beach. It’s not a very large stretch of sand, just over 300 meters long, but it has some amenities for swimmers, such as lifeguards, showers, beach bars, and parking. The natural beauty of the vegetation on its dunes and its thick golden sand fades into the background when you admire the power of the waves breaking on the shore. This is why it’s a favorite among surfers in Asturias.
Serín Beach
It’s located in Gijón, about 5 kilometers from the city, but its unspoiled surroundings and cliffside location make it a haven of calm and relaxation. It’s only 350 meters long and consists of sand, gravel, and rocks. Since it’s not easily accessible—you have to do it on foot—visitors are minimal, and it has become an excellent spot for nudism. To experience its cold waters, it’s best to wear water shoes and be careful around the rocks. The clarity of the Cantabrian Sea here is astonishing. It’s undoubtedly the ideal place to enjoy a day at the beach near an urban setting, yet with the feeling of being completely isolated.
Cadavedo Beach
This beach takes its name from the nearby port, once an important whaling center on the Asturian coast. Its 440 meters, shaped like a semicircle (or shell), are covered with sand and pebbles, framed by a predominantly rural setting. The easy access, as the road leads to a parking lot next to the beach itself, makes it very popular during the summer months and, generally, as soon as the weather is nice. In return, the views of the sea and the surrounding natural landscape are truly spectacular.
Arnelles Beach
Sheltered from the elements by Cape San Agustín, in the municipality of Coaña, and very close to the fishing port of Ortigueira, Arnelles Beach is about 100 meters long. It is covered with fine golden sand and nestled between high headlands. Therefore, it is ideal for those days when strong winds or waves make swimming impossible at other beaches. Since it is accessed on foot via a path and stone steps, occupancy is quite low, even during high season. However, restrooms, showers, and a cleaning service are available.
Frejulfe Beach
This beach is highly recommended both for its breathtaking scenery and for the privilege of contemplating the full power and beauty of the Cantabrian Sea, to which it is completely open. In fact, there is no protection from the wind or strong waves here, so swimming should only be done with considerable caution. It is located in the municipality of Navia, very close to the fishing village of Puerto de Vega, and is covered by a thick, dark sandbank just over 800 meters long.
Furthermore, this beach is located in the middle of a site of special natural value, with dunes and the presence of rare species such as the European shag and the cottony plant Otanthus maritimus.
