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TRAVELLER
DISCOVERIES
WORDS AMY DENNIS. PHOTOS ALAMY, SHUTTERSTOCK
Costadel soul
Forget the crammed southern costas and head for Asturias on the northern
Spanish coast. Then followour guide to your perfect
playa
WHY HERE?
STREETSIDE
EASILY REACHED AWAYFROMITALL
With long stretches
of beach and shallow
waters, the Asturian
coastline has plenty
of tot-friendly appeal.
Don’t forget your
high-factor and sun
umbrellas!
PLAYA DE SABLÓN
An urban beach in
the sleepy seaside
town of Llanes,
from here there are
dramatic views of
the mountains, but
the sea is calm
and there are
plenty of
options for
ice cream.
PLAYA DEL BORIZO
Rocky outcrops
spring up from
the white sands
and – thanks to the
shallow water – small
people can play
in the tide and
do a spot of
snorkelling too.
PLAYA DE
GULPIYUR
I
This hidden beach is
actually 100m from
the coastline, near
Naves. Looking like
a pocket in the
hillside, it’s fed
seawater through a
cave, so is affected
by the tides.
BUCKET AND SPADE
One of the first
European surf spots,
the Bay of Biscay has
been playing host
to wave riders since
the 1960s – and for
darn good reasons.
Great swell and mild
temperatures make
this a true surfer’s
paradise.
PLAYA DE SAN
JUAN/ESPARTAL
Not far from Salinas,
this often busy beach
offers surfers a
reliable ride. Especially
recommended
when there’s a
south-easterly
breeze.
PLAYA DE
FREJULFE
A wide expanse on a
river mouth that has
excellent surf all year
round. It’s out of the
way, so you won’t
be battling for wave
space, and the long
beach rarely attracts
sunbathers.
GETTING ON BOARD
No frills beach
life is underrated.
Sometimes
something to keep
the sand off, a page-
turner, and some
simple peace and
quiet are all you need
for a total bliss-out.
PLAYA DE
PENARRONDA
Fine sand awaits
at this long beach,
which has an
interesting ‘donut’
rock – the hole in it
has been made by
the sea. Near the
town of Barres in
Castropol, it’s right on
the Galician border.
PLAYA DE CUEVA
A bay within the Bay
of Biscay, come for
the yellow sands,
green water and
beautiful scenery for
a relaxing day.
PLAYA DE
COBIJERU
A well-loved
monumento natural,
as declared by the
Asturian Council.
The water comes
out of a cave, fed by
subterranean rivers
and the small beach
is a suntrap all day
long.
BOOK AND A TOWEL
The northern coast is
probably best known
for lush vegetation,
ideal for long walks
and ambling rambles.
Many short hikes lead
to fantastic beaches:
the perfect reward
for weary feet.
PLAYA DE LA
ESPASA
A wander from either
Colunga or Caravia
downhill to the
sea offers a gentle
decline with nice
views and an oh-so-
rewarding stretch of
golden sand when
you arrive.
PLAYA DE VEGA
From Ribadesella
you’ll encounter
a few steep hills,
but nothing too
strenuous. This is
a good walk to a
beautiful, quiet
beach with flat
waves and lush
hilltops in the
background.
PLAYA DEL
SILENCIO
Part of the province’s
protected coastline,
this is a desert island
of a beach. Start at
Castañeras – it’s a
tough walk, but the
views back over
the cliffs make
all the puffing
worthwhile.
PUT YOUR BOOTS ON
THE GRID
PLAYA DE RODILES
Right in the middle
of the coastline at
Villaviciosa, this 1km
stretch of beach is a
real all-rounder and,
some say, the best
beach in Asturias. It’s
also a great spot for
watersports.