Llanes is one of the best-known towns in Asturias. In a privileged setting between the Cantabrian Sea and the Picos de Europa, its many charms, beaches, gastronomy and seafaring tradition make Llanes, the capital of the council, a must-see in Asturias. In this mini-guide, we present an excursion in Llanes and the surrounding area with essential things to do in just one day.
How to get to Llanes
What to see in Llanes
Places not to miss near Llanes
How to get there
To move comfortably to Llanes and visit its wonderful natural attractions in a day, there is no doubt that the car is the best option. From Gijón or Oviedo, Llanes is about an hour's drive away.
Here we leave you all the points on Google Maps so you don't miss anything.
What to see in the town of Llanes
We begin our route in the town of Llanes itself. Given the influx of locals and tourists, especially in summer, it is advisable to park in any of the car parks on the outskirts of the town.
Historic centre
We begin our tour in the historic centre of the town, declared a Historic-Artistic Site and bordered by a 13th-century wall, which can be partly visited. Don't miss the tower and take advantage of the walk to see some of the palaces and mansions from the 16th and 17th centuries and their decadent grandeur. You may be surprised to find yourself in a state of deja-vu, as many of these locations have been used as the setting for films as dark as "The Orphanage", which was filmed almost entirely filmed in the Villa Parres or Palacio del Patarríu.
Also noteworthy are the Casino building and the numerous and beautiful Indiano architecture scattered throughout the town and its surroundings. These mansions were the place of recreation and status symbol of the successful indianos of the American emigration, generally big tobacco or textile businessmen and the richest bankers.
The viewpoint of San Pedro
From the historic centre, we go out to Sablón Beach, in the heart of the town. This beach is a good option if you are in Llanes and are looking for an uncomplicated dip in the sea.
We climb the stairs next to the beach to San Pedro Park, one of Asturias's most beautiful urban viewpoints. This walk on the cliff allows you to observe the town and the Sierra del Cuera mountain range. For centuries it was a sighting point for whales, shoals of fish and enemy ships. Today you can still see fishing boats in full operation off the coast of Llanes.
Harbour and Cubes of the memory
Llanes boasts one of the most beautiful harbours in Asturias, although the competition is tough, we can affirm that it is one of the most artistic. The colourful Cubos de la Memoria, the work of Agustín Ibarrola, serve as a breakwater on the breakwater and give the port a very characteristic image.
Spectacular beaches, bufones (blowholes) and viewpoints near Llanes
If you only have one day in the area, we recommend that you don't miss some of the spectacular beaches and cliffs in the surrounding area. We have selected a few that you can visit less than 30 minutes away by car, and following the route marked in order, you can see them all in one morning or afternoon.
Inland Beaches
Llanes has many beaches and spectacular cliffs, including some inland beaches, with no direct access to the sea, such as the very touristy Gulpiyuri, where the ocean water seeps under the cliffs, creating a small but curious beach in the middle of the meadows. It may not be the best option for a swim, given the influx of tourists and the scarcity of its sand, which disappears at high tide, but it is undoubtedly a very photographable option if the weather is not suitable for a dip.
Poo Beach
The semi-natural beach of Poo is about 20 minutes by car from Llanes. You can find private car parks very close to the entrance of the beach. This beach is separated from the open sea by a narrow passage between the rocks. Therefore, it is very protected from the waves. In addition, the very gentle slope of the sandy esplanade turns it into a large natural pool when the tide comes in. Don't miss it if you go with children, they will spend hours discovering crabs among the rocks or croqueting in the wet sand without danger.
Church of Niembro
This spectacular neoclassical church of Our Lady of Sorrows (1794) and the adjoining cemetery form one of the most beautiful landscapes on the Asturian coast at high tide. It is located in the Vau inlet, between the villages of Barru and Niembro. Sailing boats used to dock in this cove to refuel lemons, nuts and bacon for France. Stop for a moment and take some photographs from the viewpoint.
Torimbia Viewpoint and Beach
Torimbia is a natural beach with a dreamlike protected landscape.
Although access to the viewpoint is difficult by car, with narrow lanes between rural hamlets, we advise you to visit the Torimbia viewpoint. Although you will see many vehicles parked on the verge, it is not legal, and the competent authorities do not hesitate to remind you of this with severe fines. The car park, scarce at busy times, is at the top of the hill. With spectacular views over the cliff to the beach of Torimbia on one side and the beach of Niembro on the other.
To get to this perfect crescent-shaped beach, we must walk along a pedestrian dirt track for about 10 to 15 minutes. Given its privileged location, Torimbia is a beach frequented by naturists. At the end of the path, you will find the Torimbia beach bar, which has been refreshing people after the walk for no less than 40 years!
Bufones de Pria
If the sun has not been with you on your trip to Llanes, we have good news! It is the perfect day to visit the Bufones! These natural phenomena are caused by the numerous cracks that characterise the limestone rock of the area. Some of these natural chimneys connect directly with the sea from the cliff so that each blow of the sea generates pressure in the air they contain, which is released in the form of vertical jets. On swell days, and especially at high tide, the jets can reach great heights, which, accompanied by the deafening "snort" of the air escaping from inside them, give rise to an unimaginable natural spectacle.
Although the coast of Llanes has several, the best known are those of Pría, in the village of Llames. There you should leave the car and continue walking along the cliffs in front of the car park. There is a route of the bufones, starting and finishing in Llames, of low difficulty and lasting approximately four hours, which is well worth doing to enjoy their beauty.
If you want to know more about coastal landscapes in Asturias, click here.
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