The banks with the most beautiful views in Asturias

Can you imagine sitting on a bench and having a wonderful world spread out before your eyes? Well, in Asturias there are dozens and dozens of benches situated in incredible spots, offering views of the most beautiful landscapes you could possibly imagine.

To paraphrase the anthem of Las Piraguas, the world’s best-known festival in Asturias, one could say of these benches with their superb views—which you’ll find in the Natural Paradise—that there are no benches more cheerful, with more beautiful scenery, or with a more quintessentially Asturian feel…

You could take a trip all around Asturias, going from bench to bench… What’s more, they’re often situated at the start, in the middle or at the end of a walk, so the pleasure of taking in the scenery is complemented by the delight of a rest after your exertions.

In this post, we’ll show you a handful of them to get you started… These are benches that have been created and designed by people passionate about this land, with the best of intentions: so that we can all enjoy what they find so beautiful. Some are steeped in romantic and marvellous stories that have unfolded over time, stories that today almost sound like legends.

So let’s set off on an exciting journey, during which you’ll realise that sitting down for a while and taking in the view can be one of the greatest joys of your travels.

Cabo Vidio is a special place, steeped in mystery and fascination. The beauty of its cliffs, as well as the coves, beaches and caves in the surrounding area, immediately captivates the eye. That is why the benches in the immediate vicinity are perfect vantage points, both for resting and for contemplating and enjoying the scenery, as is evident in our cover photo, which shows the bench at the Sablón viewpoint.

Cabo Vidio, which belongs to the parish of Oviñana in the municipality of Cudillero, is quite rightly included in the Western Coast Protected Landscape, and is not only a breeding ground for seabirds but also offers wonderful panoramic views, stretching from Estaca de Vares to Cabu Peñes.

It also features a short, easy walk with various benches serving as viewing points, such as those at Cueva Beach and Sablón.

The contemplative journey around Cape Vidio will not disappoint you in the slightest.

Llombatín is a small, traditional village in the municipality of Illano, noted for its tranquillity and for being the starting point of a route leading from there to the Folgueirou leisure area.

Perched on a hillside, it literally overlooks the River Navia, which flows peacefully yet powerfully at its feet.

One fine day in 2020, a local resident named Daniel Álvarez had the brilliant idea of building a bench and placing it in a spot with stunning panoramic views of the Doiras reservoir, the Tiracais peninsula, and villages such as Xío and Zadamoño.

The bench has become one of Daniel’s favourite spots to relax, as well as that of the hundreds of people who have visited it so far…

Without a doubt, benches with excellent views in Asturias are wonderful ideas for happy moments.

Whether or not you’re a keen mountaineer, when you get to Cabrales, you simply must stop off at the Pozo de la Oración, which is very close to the village of Po and easily accessible, as it’s right by the road.

The place invites you to relax. Before your eyes, not far away, the central massif of the Picos de Europa rises majestically, and amongst its almost magical contours, Picu Urriellu stands out – simply ‘the Picu’ to the locals, and also known as the Naranjo de Bulnes.

Built in the 1930s, it is said that it was Pedro Pidal himself who wanted to honour the memory of Gregorio Pérez, ‘el cainejo’, who had been his climbing partner on the ascent of Picu Urriellu. “I simply placed my feet and hands where Gregorio told me to,” said Pidal, in a gesture of honesty and consideration that has been immortalised for posterity.

But the story—or legend—of this viewpoint does not end there, for it is also said that every spring, Pedro Pidal would make his way to the Pozo de la Oración and, with tears in his eyes, ask the Picu: ‘How have you spent the winter, old friend?’...

So it is clear that the Pozo de la Oración is an inspirational place, full of positive energy, which for decades has been a magnet for thousands of people, captivated by such beauty, whatever the time of year.

Cabo Busto is one of those unmissable spots on the west coast of Asturias, and there you’ll not only find wonderful benches to sit on and gaze out at the horizon, but on clear days you’ll be able to make out the silhouette of the La Blanca chapel perfectly and catch a glimpse of Ḷḷuarca.

There’s also a viewing point and information panels to help you understand what you’re seeing. Of course, you can’t leave without taking a stroll over to the lighthouse to enjoy the view of the stunning cliffs on which it stands.

And if you fancy it, you can walk a little further and follow a hiking trail between the Cabo Vidio lighthouse and Silencio Beach, and get to know the surrounding area, admiring a landscape of farmlands, villages, woods and viewing points that offer magnificent panoramic views, both to the east and to the west.

You can also pop into the village of Bustu, very close to the lighthouse, and sample the sweet treats from one of Spain’s finest patisseries, or, if you prefer, savour these delicacies whilst sitting on a bench, gazing out to sea…

On the path leading to Barayo beach, you’ll come across a charming viewpoint, and right next to it, a bench strategically placed in the shade of a tree. It’s a peaceful spot where you’ll get a glimpse of the wonders that await you if you decide to continue your walk and explore the Barayo Nature Reserve.

In this nature reserve, you can enjoy both coastal and river landscapes, as it is a kind of mixed ecosystem where you will see, on the one hand, the final stretch of the River Barayo – the natural boundary between the municipalities of Navia and Valdés – with all the charms of a freshwater riverbank, and on the other, an impressive dune system, the salt marshes, and a vast, wild sandy beach.

A simply spectacular and unique panorama that will leave you captivated by the Western Coast Protected Landscape.

The entire Asturian coastline is full of charm and offers beautiful views, and the municipality of Colunga is no exception. There are therefore numerous spots that serve as natural vantage points from which to gaze out over the Cantabrian horizon.

The village of Llastres has some memorable benches which, once you’ve sat down on them, will invite you to take a scenic journey through the landscape.

However, on this occasion we have chosen one situated on the western side of La Isla beach, from where you’ll have a stunning panoramic view of this stretch of sand, El Barrigón beach, La Espasa beach, and the entire eastern coastline, all the way to Ribadesella.

The bench is at the start of a coastal path that leads to La Griega beach, and it is one of those unforgettable spots right on the Jurassic Coast.

The legendary River Sella, home to trout and salmon, ducks and herons, cormorants and cows grazing on its banks. This place, brimming with nature and of extraordinary beauty, is the perfect spot to observe river life, the rhythm of the villages and the silhouette of the peaks that surround it.

It is also the ideal spot to watch canoeists and kayakers as they pass by; for them, the Sella is one of the world’s most captivating outdoor training grounds.

What’s more, as you settle down comfortably on a bench by the banks of the River Sella, you can let your imagination run wild with thoughts of the Fiesta de las Piraguas, and feel as though you’re right in the thick of a major sporting and festive event, with all the excitement that goes with it, and , as a backdrop, the town of Ribadesella/Ribeseya, capital of an extraordinary municipal district.

The Redes Natural Park is one of the seven Biosphere Reserves in Asturias. The gentle landscape of mountains and valleys, streams, rivers and reservoirs is characteristic of this area, which boasts numerous viewing points from which to enjoy and observe nature.

Its abundance of water, together with the variety of flora and fauna, and the authentic ethnographic heritage of its many villages, mean that every corner of Redes is a true delight for the senses.

On this journey, we have settled in the heart of one of these villages, in Llaíñes/Ladines (Sobrescobio), and let ourselves be carried away by the harmony of a lush, green landscape that leaves you speechless – or rather, where words are simply not needed…

The Sierra del Sueve is one of those mountain ranges with a magical aura that sets it apart. And in its foothills, specifically in the municipality of Caravia, the Fitu viewpoint has stood for almost a century – a sort of window onto dreams, where you can take in a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire landscape of central-eastern Asturias, with the Picos de Europa standing out in particular.

In this view of incredible perspective, you’ll also see the Cantabrian Sea, and on clear days you can watch the boats go by, as if it were a scene from a film.

That’s why the bench at the foot of the viewpoint is a special place to have a snack and take a break from your walk, whilst taking full pleasure in the view before you.

The San Pedro promenade is a unique place. For its serene beauty, its privileged location, its carpet of grass, its enveloping atmosphere, and, of course, its exceptional views.

It is the grand balcony of the town of Llanes. From there, looking both east and west, you will be able to take in, with peaceful clarity, this equally exceptional coastline, with its cliffs and hill forts, its ever-surprising contours, and its atmosphere that shifts with the time of day…

If you turn your gaze towards the town, Llanes will lie at your feet, with its cobbled streets, its palaces, its city walls and medieval tower, its basilica, its churches and chapels, and its rich history. And further in the distance, the Cuera mountain range, and just a few steps behind it, the Picos de Europa.

So the benches along the Paseo de San Pedro are pure poetry, steeped in old-world romance, just like the kind that inspired this promenade in the 19th century.

After following this itinerary, you’ll see that there really are somewonderful places for your holidays in Asturias!