Ribadesella is a privileged enclave; its location by the sea and its unique shape makes it a unique place. It takes its name from the mouth of the Sella River, one of the most important in Asturias, known for its salmon and the International River Descent. The town of Ribadesella is the capital of a municipality surrounded by mountains, beaches, and cliffs.
Without going any further, the town center concentrates many of the municipality’s attractions (a municipality of Tourist Excellence since 1997). In addition to enjoying the local heritage and culture, it’s easy to reach the beach, cliffs, various viewpoints, and protected natural environments without straying too far from the town limits.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Climate
The climate in Ribadesella is oceanic, meaning it is humid and mild, with moderate temperatures year-round. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 2 or 3 degrees Celsius; and summers are not too hot, with temperatures rarely exceeding 28°C. Humidity is high, and rainfall is more frequent in winter and spring.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Transport
To get to Ribadesella by public transport, you can take the bus or the train, depending on your city of origin. The bus connects Ribadesella with other Asturian towns and some cities in Spain. The train, operated by Renfe, also offers connections to various destinations. There are also taxi and minibus services for transfers within Ribadesella and to nearby towns.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Places you must visit
Bank of the Sella
One of the best things to do in Ribadesella is to leave your car in the bus station parking lot and walk along the Paseo de los Vencedores del Sella, which runs parallel to the river until you reach the bridge. Along the way, in addition to the views of the estuary and the other bank, you’ll see the sculpture that pays tribute to the International Sella Descent, one of Spain’s most famous festivals.
The Sella Descent is an activity suitable for all ages, even the little ones, that will captivate you. It involves canoeing down the Sella River. We guarantee you’ll have a great time and be amazed by the beauty of its landscapes, where you can enjoy simply spectacular panoramic views of the Picos de Europa and a cinematic atmosphere.
Portiellu neighbourhood
The Portiellu neighborhood, the oldest and the birthplace of this fishing village, is another of the most beautiful places to visit in Ribadesella. This former fishing district, located at one end of the old town, captivates visitors with its network of narrow streets, such as Calle Oscura and Calle Infante, lined with colorful, stately houses that will lead you to charming corners.
The color staircase
At the top of the Portiellu neighborhood is “The Colored Staircase,” designed by local artist Jonathan Hevia and considered the most original street to visit in Ribadesella. Of its 56 steps that connect Trasmarina Street with Villar y Valle Avenue, 54 have been painted by residents and notables from Ribadesella, each of whom left a phrase full of feeling and hope, which will remain in the memory of Ribadesella.
On the first step, you can read Van Gogh’s quote “What would life be like if we didn’t have the courage to try something new?” and at the last, Camilo José Cela’s words “And they approached the sea of Ribadesella to see it turn green and sigh.”
Cuesta Viewpoint
Climbing the colorful staircase, you’ll reach the Mirador de la Cuesta, which offers the best views of the old town and is another must-see in Ribadesella. From this viewpoint, you can see the reddish roofs of the houses in the center, the two towers of the parish church of Santa María Magdalena, the port, and the Cantabrian Sea in the background.
Historic center of Ribadesella
After leaving the viewpoint, we recommend taking a route through the historic center, starting at Plaza de la Reina María Cristina, which houses the oldest building in the town, the 16th-century Prieto Cutre Palace. Leaving this square along López Muñiz Street, surrounded by magnificent, arcaded buildings such as the Casa de Ardines, you’ll reach Plaza de la Iglesia, lined with terraces and presided over by the Church of Santa María Magdalena, which houses an excellent main altar and several paintings by local artists. Another of the most popular streets in the center is Manuel Fernández Juncos, home to the Casa de González Prieto and the Casa de Collado, both of which retain beautiful family crests on their stone facades. This street will take you to Plaza de la Atalaya, which still preserves traditional-style houses with colorful facades, as well as the Casa del Pixuecu and the Atalaya Palace.
Crane Walk
It’s an old towpath that runs parallel to the Sella River and has several points of interest, such as “La Fuentina” and, above all, the Mingote murals. This comedian created up to six ceramic murals depicting the most important moments in Ribadesella’s history, making it another of the most interesting places to visit in Ribadesella. At the end of the walk, you’ll reach the fish market and the small fishing port, which was once dedicated to the whaling industry and still supplies excellent fish and seafood to the area’s restaurants.
Santa Marina Beach
The magnificent Santa Marina Beach begins at the mouth of the Sella River and is another must-see spot in Ribadesella. During your walk along the well-kept promenade, be sure to admire the beautiful colonial mansions and modernist-style houses of the upper bourgeoisie from the early 20th century, such as the Chalé de la Marquesa de Argüelles and the Hotel Villa Rosario, until you reach the Mirador Punta del Pozu. Right next to this viewpoint, you can see several dinosaur footprints arranged in an almost vertical layer on a cliff. If you have time, we recommend booking this fun paddleboarding tour along the Ribadesella coast or this jet ski ride.
Malecón Walk
Another of the best things to do in Ribadesella is to stroll along the Malecón promenade, a marshland of great ecological interest, as several migratory birds rest there. This park, which features a series of walkways and wooden towers for observing the various birds, is perfect for peaceful evening strolls without the hustle and bustle of the seafront promenade.
Tito Bustillo Cave
The Tito Bustillo Caves feature spectacular prehistoric paintings from the Paleolithic period and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Discovered in 1968 by Celestino Bustillo—hence their name—they are one of Ribadesella’s greatest attractions. Please note that they are only open from March to October and that access is limited, so we suggest you purchase your ticket in advance. Inside this cave, you can see fantastic cave paintings depicting animal figures, created between 33,000 and 10,000 BC, as well as numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Access to the cave is quite limited, and it is necessary to reserve a spot well in advance.
Dinosaur footprints
Ribadesella is one of the few places in the world that offers you the opportunity to see real dinosaur footprints with your own eyes. Just don’t try to find them on your own, as you might be disappointed. Book a tour with a professional guide. They’ll take you to La Vega beach and the Tereñes cliffs, where the Ribadesella Jurassic Site is located, and there you’ll be able to observe all the existing footprints. A spectacular experience, especially for the little ones.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Fests and festivals
- San Juan, June 24.
- Virgen de la Guía, first Sunday in July.
- Santa Marina, August 25.
- International Descent of the Sella River. Festival of International Tourist Interest, first Saturday in August.
Weekly Market: every Wednesday.
Fests:
- Cheese Fair, August 10 in the town of Cuerres.
- Livestock Competition and Exhibition, September 21.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Gastronomy
And of course, take advantage of your visit to eat in Ribadesella and enjoy some of the best cuisine in our country and around the world. The restaurant offering is vast, so you won’t have too much trouble enchanting your palate.
We recommend trying the cachopo, pitu de Caleya, fabada, scorpion fish pie, and fabes with clams. It’s finger-licking good!
So now you know, if you were planning your vacation and didn’t know where to go, don’t think twice; book a rural house in Ribadesella and enjoy it to the fullest. You won’t regret it.
Ribadesella in Asturias: Accomodation
Keep in mind that it’s quite difficult to find affordable accommodation in this area of Asturias, especially during the high season. Therefore, a good option is to stay in the nearby town of Camango. We recommend the Casa de Aldea El Frade, surrounded by magnificent natural surroundings and offering excellent value for money. If you prefer to stay in the village, we recommend the Hotel Villa Rosario II, located near Santa Marina beach, with free parking and all the amenities.
