Beaches to caress the sky and the mountains

Asturias, with more than 350 kilometres of coastline, has some of themost spectacular beaches in Spain. From large stretches of sand to small, secluded beaches. And all of them ideal for water sports. With the incomparable charm of the green meadows merging with the sand, and as a backdrop, the mountains, creating postcards of unusual beauty.

Torimbia beach is one of the great beaches of Asturias, with its characteristic shell shape. It is also a classic for naturist tourism. There is no road access, but there is a wonderful viewpoint and a parking area nearby. There is also a beach bar around one of the access paths to the beach. Wonderful crystalline waters.

Poo beach, which appears at the top of this post, is one of those beaches that at high tide is transformed into a real saltwater pool in the open air, and at low tide is a channel of limestone rock, original and good for swimming. It is urbanised with good accesses, terraces and restaurants, right on the beach. There is a car park just a few metres from the beach.

San Pedro de la Ribera, also known as San Pedro de Bocamar, is one of the most popular and crowded beaches in the council of Cudillero. With toasted sand and pebbles, it is where the River Esqueiro flows into the sea. It has good facilities, a range of restaurants and a lifeguard service. It also has the advantage of being close to Soto de Luiña, a beautiful town linked to the Way of St. James, and where it is advisable to visit a church linked to the vaqueiros de alzada.

Carranques beach is one of the paradisiacal beaches of Perlora, in the council of Carreño, located in the surroundings of what used to be an old holiday village in the 60s and 70s of the 20th century. It is urbanised and has good access and parking facilities. It is very close to Candás, the capital of the council, and to Gijón. It is an ideal place to spend a day in the countryside and on the beach.

The Beciella beach is a wild beach, which you have to reach on foot, along a path next to the coast, on what is in fact a stretch of the oldest existing Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela (the so-called Coastal Route). For this reason, in spring and summer there is sometimes a curious mixture of bathers and pilgrims. Very quiet, fine sand, with abundant rock formations.

Barayo beach is a Nature Reserve. So between marshes, dunes, river - natural border between the councils of Navia and Valdés -, and a huge sandy beach, you can enjoy the open air, the sun and the sea. It is usually frequented by naturists. Access to the beach is on foot, along a beautiful path. Before starting the walk, there is a large car park with panoramic views of the beach.

Otur beach is immense and is characterised by its fine, white sand. It is flanked by two streams, and has a dune system and great landscape value. In fact, it forms part of the Protected Landscape of the western coast. You can get there practically on foot from the beach with your car and there is ample parking. It is accessible and has a ramp down to the sand. It is very popular in summer.

Anguileiro beach is an urban beach that opens up next to the meanders of the river Anguileiro, and has small and pleasant coves, as well as a large sandy beach of a toasted colour. You will find all kinds of services, a recreational area, a large car park, and even a pleasant promenade that connects to the port of Tapia. It is a "temple" of surfing due to its type of waves, and an international surfing competition is held here every Easter.

Shared between the councils of Castropol and Tapia, Penarronda beach is divided by the Penarronda stream. Of singular beauty, it is shaped like an elongated shell with a round rock in the centre that makes it unmistakable. It has good facilities and a large car park. It is windy and often has waves, ideal for surfing. Its flora is special, as it is the only place in Asturias where the sea wallflower lives. It belongs to the Biosphere Reserve Río Eo, Oscos e Terras de Burón.

La Espasa beach is the natural coastal border between the municipalities of Colunga and Caravia, and is in turn formed by two sandy areas: El Viso and Moracey. Almost a kilometre of fine golden sand, usually with moderate waves and good facilities (showers, car park, toilets, except in summer, accessible), and with a wide range of restaurants and bars. It is ideal for beginners' surfing or kite flying. You can also enjoy a panoramic view of the beach from the Fitu viewpoint, located in the Sueve mountain range.

Antilles beach, also known as Cue beach, has fine white sand, with a spectacular rocky environment of castros (small islands), one of which, known as Isla Grande, is the most striking. It has the characteristic that at high tide it becomes a real natural swimming pool, without waves, and ideal for snorkelling, diving or fishing. In summer it is usually moderately crowded, and you can get there on foot or by car from the village of Cue, from which it is less than a kilometre away. It has a small car park, a beach bar and is not accessible.

In the original shape of a tombolo, Estaño beach, small and secluded, is only five kilometres from the city of Gijón/Xixón. It has facilities (showers, car park, lifeguards) and a range of restaurants and bars. It sometimes has strong waves, so it is advisable to take a certain amount of precaution due to its rocky seabed. Of particular note is the well of the priest - a natural pool carved out of the rock - and the islet of La Tortuga. It is an ideal place for scuba diving and underwater fishing. You can get there on foot or by car.