Memorable coastal towns

There are two extraordinary seafaring towns, Ribadesella and Llanes, in eastern Asturias. Ribadesella, between the Picos de Europa and the Cantabrian Sea, owes much of its charm to the river Sella. A famous international canoe race is held on the river in August, accompanied by a celebratory atmosphere and plenty of other activities, but you can follow the same course at other times of year. The Sella is a calming presence, and the combination of exercise, nature and good food is always a positive experience. The Tito Bustillo cave and its visitors’ centre, the viewing point at Guía or a historic tour of the port are other options for enjoying the seaside lifestyle of Ribadesella.     We recommend stopping at the acantilados del infierno, the “cliffs of hell”, before you reach Llanes, just 30 kilometres away, to take one of those photos that always remind you of unforgettable trips.Enormous multicoloured cubes by the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola, arranged as breakwaters, capture the attention of new arrivals. This is Llanes, a town with a truly beautiful historic centre, which has been the setting for around twenty films. Intriguing cinematic and maritime routes, like its beaches, its coastal path, and its fabulous golf course next to the shore. 

From San Vicente de la Barquera to Laredo, via Santoña. That is the suggested route to, in less than 100 kilometers, get to know the best of these three fishing villages in Cantabria. Oyambre Natural Park, close to San Vicente de la Barquera, is an almost perfect representation of the area’s biodiversity. A large fleet of fishing boats is moored in the port of San Vicente, a stage on the northern Camino de Santiago, and the starting point of the Camino Lebaniego. Its medieval heritage includes a castle, a bridge, and the city walls. Santoña is another perfect destination for understanding the character of a seafaring people. This is where the technique of preserving anchovies in salt was perfected, and the town has plenty to see, from the wetlands of Las Marismas Natural Park to the lighthouses of El Pescador and El Caballo, reached via a challenging 800 stone steps.Finally, La Salvé beach in Laredo, one of the longest in northern Spain with nearly five kilometres of fine sand, where you can imagine the past and present importance of the sea to these towns. Every September, a major fiesta recreates the historic Landing of Charles V in Laredo, thought to be his last journey before he died. Another unique event is the Battle of the Flowers, for which its people prepare for months. The objective: Design the most spectacular float, decorated entirely with natural flowers, in an exercise of precision passed down from generation to generation.