Eastern Asturias runs from Llanes to Villaviciosa, via Ribadesella, Colunga and Caravia. The most striking thing about this stretch of coastline is the short distance here between the mountains and the sea, giving stunning scenery and enabling the visitor to enjoy the summits of the mountains (Sueve, Cuera or Picos de Europa) and the pleasures of the beaches in one day.

The mountains sweeping down to the sea at Colunga

Its famed natural beauty has made this area very popular with visitors from Madrid and Barcelona. This in turn means that the provision of facilities and activities for tourists is good and that property prices are buoyant as the market for second homes and holiday lets is always strong.

Llanes

Llanes is the Eastern most concejo of Asturias. The prinicpal town bears the same name and is a charming fishing port with a pedestrianized, walled, medieval centre. A great place for eating fresh fish and seafood - you can see the day's catch being sold off in the lonja at the harbour here around midday. Also has a number of very nice, chi-chi shops catering to the sophisticated set of holiday makers from the cities.

The blowholes at Pria in action

All along this stretch of coastline the limestone cliffs give rise to the formation of blowholes (bufones in Spanish), where on a calm day you can hear the sea breathe and in more stormy weather see it shoot skyward in a dramatic display.

There are several signposted spots to view this phenomenon and there is a clifftop walk that takes in several such sites.

Ribadesella

A town with a long seafaring tradition that was once a major whaling port and today continues to offer fantastic, fresh seafood, both at the market or in any of the many restaurants.

Built on the mouth of the river Sella, the waterfront of the estuary today is crammed with fantastic restaurants.
On the other side of the river mouth, the town beach is another good surf spot. The promenade here is lined with wonderful examples of Indiana architecture – many of these grand buildings today functioning as hotels.

The town is also famous for its Tito Bustillo Caves – caves with prehistoric paintings that are amongst the most important of their kind in the world.

Colunga

Must-visit: the pretty little fishing village of Lastres, with its narrow, twisting streets tumbling down to the water’s edge. A great place to indulge in a fish or seafood ‘menu del dia’. The beach at Lastres is a fantastic place for a spot of crabbing - the rock pools here are teeming with life. And another kilometre away is the larger beach of Griega.

Lastres - pretty streets tumbling down to the harbour

The Dinosaur Museum (Museo Jurasico de Asturias) is also in this area and makes a great day out for families – educational and fun. Once you’ve discovered all there is to know about Asturias’ Jurassic past you can go off in search of the many dinosaur footprints that are to be found along the coastline and beaches. www.museojurasicoasturias.com

Beaches: Colunga boasts many fine beaches: La Isla, Barrigon, La Griega and La Espasa to mention but a few….

Villaviciosa

Villaviciosa is a bustling market town, located on a beautiful estuary that is a protected nature reserve. With a lovely historic centre and famous as the foremost cider producer of Asturias the town itself is well worth a visit. Many of the cider factories here offer guided tours – one of the best known is El Gaitero.

The town hall in the main plaza of Villaviciosa

If you don't make it to a cider factory, this is a great town in which to experience initiation into the rituals of the Asturian Sidrería or cider bar. A popular destination in summer for tourists from Madrid and Barcelona, Villaviciosa has many great hostelrys to cater to visitors.
The beautifully restored old theatre now houses the Tourist Information Centre where you can find all the information you need on sights and activities in the area.

TOP PROPERTY