The most interesting things to see in Tierras del Navia-Porcía

In western Asturias lies the region of Tierras del Navia-Porcía, a place where history, nature and the sea intertwine to offer unique experiences. This region, centred around the mighty River Navia, is a vast basin that invites us to explore its diverse landscapes and traditions.

The municipalities that make up Tierras del Navia-Porcía are Boal, Coaña, El Franco, Grandas de Salime, Illano, Navia, Pesoz, Tapia de Casariego and Villayón.

From the coastline bathed by the Cantabrian Sea to the mountains hidden inland, Tierras del Navia-Porcía offers a genuine journey through time and nature.

The coastline of Tierras del Navia-Porcía is dotted with beautiful fishing villages, which will captivate you with their peaceful atmosphere and traditional charm. Each one has a story to tell, a unique landscape to showcase and a cuisine to be envied:

• Ortigueira, in the municipality of Coaña, is a small harbour with a fishing tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Its streets, steeped in history, invite you to take a stroll whilst the scent of salt and fresh fish fills the air.

• El Porto/Viavélez, in El Franco, stands out not only for its beautiful views of the Cantabrian Sea and its seafaring tradition, but also for being the birthplace of the famous writer Corín Tellado, known for her romantic novels that captivated millions of readers… This combination of natural beauty, literary history and cultural activities makes Viavélez a fascinating destination on the Asturian coast.

• Navia is another lively coastal spot and the perfect place to enjoy the seafront promenade, bustling with small boats and activity. Here, the memory of the poet Ramón de Campoamor lives on, and the maritime atmosphere blends with the warmth of the local people.

• Puerto de Vega, one of the most picturesque villages in Asturias, has earned its place in history thanks to Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, the Asturian Enlightenment thinker who died here. A stroll through its harbour, with its fish market – which offers guided tours – and its stone houses, will help you understand why this place is so special.

• Tapia is famous for its beaches, ideal both for relaxation and for water sports. Some examples include Anguileiro Beach, which is very popular with surfers, especially during the surfing championship held annually at Easter. Or Serantes Beach, which, with its unspoilt and uncrowded setting, is a gem for those seeking peace and quiet.

Meanwhile, Tapia’s harbour is the heart of the town. It has a picturesque atmosphere, with small fishing boats and a charming seafront promenade. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy sea views and sample fresh local produce in the nearby restaurants.

The beaches of Tierras del Navia-Porcía are perfect both for relaxing and for water sports. Frexulfe Beach, in Navia, is a wide, unspoilt stretch of sand, ideal for those who want to experience the immensity of the Cantabrian Sea in all its splendour. Penarronda Beach, situated between Tapia and Castropol, is perfect for surfing, whilst Santa Gadea Beach, in Tapia, offers a more intimate and sheltered setting. Porcía Beach, in El Franco, surrounded by nature, is a quieter spot and perfect for unwinding.

What’s more, if you’re a sports enthusiast, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as surfing in Tapia, as this town has been an international hub for the sport since the 1960s.
 

You also have the option of canoeing along the final stretch of the River Navia, which runs from the Arbón dam to the port of Navia. This descent covers around 14 kilometres of more open countryside compared to the higher areas, where the river winds its way through woods and meadows. For the more adventurous, there is the option of covering the river’s entire course in several stages – a unique way to explore western Asturias whilst being at one with nature. Furthermore, the Boal area offers a range of active tourism activities, such as canyoning or expeditions along the River Navia.

Furthermore, a large tree-top adventure park is now open, covering an area of 17,000 square metres in the parish of Salave, offering experiences for the whole family in the heart of nature.

 

The ‘Pepe el Ferreiro’ Ethnographic Museum in Grandas de Salime offers a genuine insight into traditional rural life in western Asturias. It houses an extensive collection of objects and tools that bring to life the daily life of days gone by, ranging from household utensils to farming implements. The museum is spread across several traditional buildings, including a farmhouse with its wood-fired kitchen and hearth, as well as other rooms where visitors can imagine how families used to live. It also features a mill, a chapel and a blacksmith’s workshop, which showcase the essential trades of the period. All of this immerses the visitor in an authentic atmosphere rich in traditions, reflecting the soul of rural Asturias.

The Pesoz Ethnological Museum – which remains closed until further notice – is a place dedicated to preserving and showcasing the essence of rural life in this part of western Asturias. The exhibition focuses on daily life in small villages, where a sense of community kept traditions alive. The museum displays everyday utensils and tools, as well as a recreation of a traditional wine cellar, which illustrates the process of making the region’s typical wine. This wine is so significant that Pesoz holds the annual Pesoz Wine Festival in October, where visitors can sample the wine and celebrate the local wine-making culture. The museum’s collection reflects the importance of agricultural work and the customs linked to the land. This museum offers an evocative journey through the history, culture and roots of Pesoz.

The Juan Pérez Villamil Ethnographic Museum, situated in Puerto de Vega (Navia) and offering free admission, is a venue dedicated to the history and culture of western Asturias. The museum features a meticulous recreation of traditional Asturian ways of life, including a traditional house, traditional crafts, and the canning industry – and what it meant for this and other fishing villages – with an evocative recreation of the engine room of the former factory known as ‘La Arenesca’. In addition, the museum offers temporary exhibitions and educational activities that foster a connection with local heritage.
 

Argul, a small medieval hamlet in the municipality of Pesoz, is a wonderful example of traditional Asturian architecture. The families of Argul have always made their living from farming and livestock rearing, particularly the cultivation of vines and cereals. Throughout the Middle Ages, they built a total of 30 farmhouses, perfectly adapted to the complex terrain.
 

Argul grew up on a natural rocky outcrop, which shaped the way its houses were built. The rock enabled the inhabitants to construct large, spacious houses without the need for foundations or thick walls. However, the steepness of the hillside forced them to create a series of passageways and tunnels to connect the different rooms within the houses.

This is why, in this picturesque spot, you can see stone houses with slate roofs, connected by narrow, cobbled alleys that evoke times gone by. Its hórreos and paneras are particularly noteworthy, highlighting the importance of grain storage in rural life. The village is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, with lush forests and the River Agüeira nearby, offering the perfect setting for peaceful walks and for enjoying the medieval and rural charm of Asturias.

Argul’s architecture is among the most distinctive in the Principality of Asturias, which is why its Historic Centre was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2004.

A Paicega is a former workers’ settlement, built in the mid-20th century to house the workers on the Grandas de Salime reservoir construction site. Today it lies abandoned but remains a unique place, where time seems to have stood still and where there are stunning panoramic views of the Grandas de Salime reservoir and the River Navia. To reach A Paicega, you’ll set off from the pretty village of Pesoz and head uphill through woodland (and along a stretch of road).
 

Argul and A Paicega are two recommended places to visit in this area.

Meanwhile, in Boal there are several viewpoints: the one at the Pendia hill fort and those at Penouta. You can reach the Penouta coastal viewpoint via the Penouta pass, where you’ll be treated to splendid views of the entire western Asturian coastline. The inland Penouta viewpoint is situated in the recreational area and offers splendid views of Villayón, Grandas, Allande and so on.

The River Navia and its tributaries are the heart and soul of the park. Along its course, the Doiras reservoir in Boal, the Arbón reservoir in Coaña and the Salime reservoir in Grandas de Salime create idyllic landscapes that combine the stillness of the water with the greenery of the mountains. From Illano, the views of the Navia are particularly impressive, showcasing the river’s power as it carves its way through the mountains.

These reservoirs are perfect for enjoying activities such as fishing, kayaking or simply relaxing whilst taking in the views.

As you can see, in Tierras del Navia-Porcía, the rivers are ever-present companions to visitors, reminding us of the importance of water and its role in shaping these unique landscapes.

The route to the Oneta waterfalls, in the municipality of Villayón, is one of the most popular; they form a spectacular series of three waterfalls that cascade down over a distance of just a few metres. It is precisely because of their uniqueness that they have been designated a Natural Monument. These are permanent waterfalls situated in a setting of great beauty, as they are set amongst lush vegetation.

The first waterfall is called La Firbia, and stands out for its beauty and spectacular nature, with a drop of around 15 metres. Furthermore, it is distinctive in that continuous rockfalls have adorned it with a peculiar cirque of rocks, where the water unleashes its force.

The second is La Firbia de Abajo, which is reached after climbing a steep slope, and the third, known as Maseirúa, is the smallest and most inaccessible, as it is situated in a more rugged and sheltered spot.
 

The Andina Caves, or ‘As Covas da Andía’ – as they are known locally – in the municipality of El Franco, are of great geological, geomorphological and scenic interest. It is precisely for this reason that they have been designated a Natural Monument.

Their landscape is the result of the combined action of natural phenomena and the intense mining activity carried out during the Roman period, aimed at extracting gold.

A distinctive feature of these caves is the abundant and dense vegetation in the area, which makes them almost invisible from the outside. You can explore this fascinating place on guided tours, which guarantee an unforgettable experience.

The Castro de Coaña is the most famous of all the known castros in Asturias. This fame is mainly due to the fact that it was discovered at an early stage and to the large area that has been excavated.
 

According to data from recent excavations, the site has been occupied since very ancient times, dating back to the early Iron Age, and was fortified in the 5th century BC.

To understand the importance of the Castreña culture and its evolution over time, this castro has, for more than 30 years, had an Educational Centre which clearly explains what it was like from its origins right up to contact with the Roman world, when gold mining came to play a significant role in the history of these territories and their peoples.
 

The Coastal Way of St James passes through the coastal municipalities of Tierras del Navia-Porcía, Coaña, El Franco, Navia and Tapia de Casariego. It is a route steeped in history and spirituality, winding through beautiful landscapes and small villages where pilgrims find rest and hospitality. It is a unique experience that forms part of one of Europe’s great cultural routes, travelled by thousands of people every year in search of both spirituality and a connection with nature.

Tierras del Navia-Porcía is much more than just a place: it is a journey to the heart of western Asturias, where history meets nature and traditions endure through the ages. From its beautiful coastlines and beaches, perfect for relaxation or sport, to its valleys and mountains dotted with ancient hill forts, footpaths and villages, which keep the essence of Asturias alive.

It is a diverse world, full of breathtaking landscapes, rivers winding through its mountains, living history and the warmth of its people, who await you with open arms to enjoy a unique experience – an adventure between the sea and the mountains.