Best beaches in Llanes: 8 stretches of sand to enjoy without hurrying

In Llanes the mountains come almost down to the water. From many beaches in the municipality you can see the Cantabrian Sea and the grey peaks of the Sierra del Cuera at the same time.

The best beaches in Llanes are spread along a coastline with more than thirty stretches of sand, in eastern Asturias. There are coves that fill and empty with the tide, long surf beaches and almost enclosed shells of sand, perfect for children.

The good thing about this stretch of coast is that you can choose according to the plan for the day. A calm swim with the family, a long walk as a couple or an afternoon of waves.

Before setting out, you only need one thing: the tide table at hand. Here the whole landscape changes within a few hours.

How to choose a beach in Llanes

If you travel with small children, look for the sheltered bays, such as Poo or Barro. The water comes in with less force and the sand is comfortable.

If you want to disconnect, the beaches you reach on foot, such as Torimbia or Ballota, have fewer people and no buildings in sight.

And if you are into surfing, San Antolín is the most open beach in the municipality.

1 Gulpiyuri, the beach in the middle of a meadow

Near the village of Naves you find one of the oddities of the Spanish coast. Gulpiyuri is a tiny beach, about 40 or 50 metres long, surrounded by grass and with no view of the sea.

The water comes from the Cantabrian Sea, a little over a hundred metres away, through galleries opened in the limestone. It is a Natural Monument.

At high tide a saltwater pool forms; at low tide, almost only sand is left.

Travel tip: check the tide before you go. If you arrive at low tide, you will see a hollow of sand and little else, and the visit loses its charm.

2 Torimbia, the wild shell of Niembru

From above, next to the village of Niembru, Torimbia looks drawn with a compass. A curve of golden sand about 500 metres long, enclosed by green slopes.

There is no road to the shore. You walk down along a path with views, and the climb back up takes some effort.

It is one of the longest-established naturist beaches in the north. If you go dressed, nobody will look at you oddly, but it is worth knowing.

3 Poo, the calmest beach for going with children

A short distance from the centre of Llanes, Poo beach occupies the narrow estuary of the Vallina. It is about 150 metres long.

The sea enters through a narrow channel between rocks and arrives very tamed. At high tide a shallow sheet of water forms, almost like a swimming pool.

The meadows and rocks around it give some shelter. For families with small children, it is one of the most convenient in Asturias.

The beaches of Llanes on video

If you want to see what part of this coast looks like before your getaway, take a look at this video:

4 Ballota, the beach of the islet

East of the town, next to Cue, Ballota beach is recognised at once by the mass of rock rising in front of the shore. It is the Ballota islet, also called Castro de Ballota.

The beach is about 350 metres long and shell-shaped. You park in a small area and walk the last stretch.

Between Ballota and its neighbour Andrín is the La Boriza viewpoint. You reach it by the LL-2 road from Cue or from Andrín, with a short dirt track at the end.

The photo from the viewpoint, with the islet in the foreground and the two beaches on either side, is one of the most sought-after in eastern Asturias.

5 Borizo, the walk to the island at Celorio

At Celorio, Borizo beach (Borizu) is shell-shaped and about 400 metres long.

In front of it lies the island of Arnielles, also called Borizo. At low tide it is joined to the beach by sand and you can walk out to it.

On the sides there are rocks with marine life. A diving mask is enough to keep you busy for a good while.

6 San Antolín, the big open beach

San Antolín is the longest beach in the municipality, at more than 1,200 metres. It lies at the mouth of the Bedón river, near Naves.

It faces the open sea, so there are almost always waves. It is the meeting point for the surf schools of the area.

Very close by stands the monastery of San Antolín de Bedón, a Romanesque church beside the river. A visit fits in well before or after a swim.

Take care when swimming: on such an exposed beach the currents can be strong. Swim in the supervised area and respect the flags.

7 Barro, the bay of the two islets

Barro beach is about 250 metres long and is sheltered by two islets, one on each side. The result is an inlet of golden sand with fairly calm water.

At low tide, the beach almost doubles in size and joins its neighbour Sorraos in a single stretch of sand.

It has easy access and parking nearby, so in July and August it is one of the busiest with families.

8 El Sablón, the beach in the centre of Llanes

In the town itself, at the foot of the Paseo de San Pedro, lies El Sablón. It is a small shell, about 100 metres long, a few steps from the old town.

It is the option for a quick swim without taking the car. Afterwards, you only need to climb the stairs to walk the Paseo de San Pedro, a long grassy path on the cliff with views over the whole coast.

Best beaches in Llanes for a weekend getaway

If you have two days, split the coast into two areas. One day to the west, with Barro, Borizo and Torimbia; another to the east, with Poo, Ballota and Gulpiyuri.

San Antolín fits into either day if you want to watch surfing. El Sablón is left for the last afternoon, with a stroll through the centre.

What to eat after the beach

Llanes is cider-house country. Order a bottle of natural cider and, to nibble on, some periwinkles or some llámparas a la sidra, limpets stewed in cider and served in many local eateries.

Cider is poured from above so that it breaks against the glass and aerates. A small amount is served each time, a “culín”, and it is drunk in one go, before it loses its foam.

If you travel with children, the harbour of Llanes is a good place to have an early dinner and take a walk beside the boats before bed.

Practical tips for the coast of Llanes

• Always keep the tide table at hand. Gulpiyuri, Borizo and Barro change completely with the tides.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the descents to Torimbia and Ballota.
• Put a sweatshirt in your backpack: the wind off the Cantabrian Sea cools things down even in August.
• In summer, get up early to park close to the smaller beaches.

Will you start with the pool of Gulpiyuri or with the islet of Ballota?