Llanes is a lovely seaside town in Asturias and a great destination for a relaxing vacation in northern Spain. These are the best things to do in Llanes.
About Llanes
Beautifully situated on the rugged coast of Asturias in northern Spain, lies the picturesque town of Llanes. This coastal town has become increasingly popular as a vacation destination in recent years, and that’s not surprising. After all, Llanes is a perfect combination of rich history, breathtaking natural beauty and welcoming Spanish culture.
The history of Llanes goes back centuries. The city has a strategic location on the coast, which made it an important port throughout time. Its rich past is still clearly visible when you walk through the historic streets of the old town. Of course, the medieval city wall and the imposing tower are also not to be missed.
Llanes is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. The rugged coastline, full of impressive cliffs, caves and bays, is a picture to behold. There are numerous hiking trails along the coast and through the beautiful hinterland of Llanes for you to explore. The Picos de Europa, an impressive mountain range and Spain’s first national park is a short distance away and is a perfect destination for a day trip.
I visited Llanes during a tour of Asturias and found it a wonderful place to unwind. Although the weather was not very cooperative (it was a bit stormy) I thoroughly enjoyed what this town has to offer.
I loved walking around Llanes, as the city has a great atmosphere, thanks to the many nice cafes and restaurants and the terraces are always crowded. For me as a solo traveler, Llanes is a great place to explore, but I think it’s also a great travel destination for couples and families.
The best things to do in Llanes
What is there to see in Llanes? These are the most beautiful sights and the best things to do in Llanes.
Playa del Sablón
Llanes is of course a seaside town, so if you feel like a relaxing day at the beach, this is definitely the place to be! The main beach in town is Playa del Sablón. This sandy beach is not very big, but it is very wide, so you can always find a spot in the soft sand.
This beach is a great place to relax, take a dip in the sea, or build a sandcastle. It’s up to you!
Medieval city wall
Llanes has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Remnants of the old city wall can still be seen in the historic center. Stroll past the old city gates and imagine what life was like here centuries ago.
Torreón de Llanes
This imposing tower from the thirteenth century is one of the most recognizable symbols of Llanes. Torreón de Llanes is part of the medieval walls and was once used as a defense tower and prison. Now it is a ruin, but a very photogenic one. Unfortunately, you cannot visit or climb the tower.
Cubos de la Memoria
Besides many historical elements, there are some more modern works of art in Llanes. Here and there you will spot a beautiful mural, but the most notable artwork is Cubos de la Memoria.
This artwork by Agustín Ibarrola consists of a large collection of painted concrete blocks and laid down on either side of a pier. Because it is constantly ravaged by the elements (lots of waves), the images are somewhat faded, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive.
Paseo de San Pedro
One of my favorite spots in Llanes is the Paseo de San Pedro. This is a walkway over the cliffs along the sea and here you can clearly see how rugged the coastline is. It is a perfect place to get a breath of fresh air, as there is always a strong wind.
There are several chairs and benches along the path, so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the coast as well as the city.
Mirador de San Pedro
If you don’t feel like walking along the Paseo de San Pedro but want to enjoy a nice view, you can always climb the steps behind Playa del Sablón to the Mirador de San Pedro. From here you also have a nice view of the rugged coastline, the beach, and the city.
Iglesia de Santa María del Conceyu
One of the most beautiful structures in the historic city center is Iglesia de Santa María del Conceyu, also known as the Basílica de Santa María del Concejo. This is the most important church in Llanes and beautiful to see both inside and out.
Construction of the church began around 1240 at the initiative of the inhabitants of Llanes themselves, and it took several hundred years to complete. It is a few examples of Gothic architecture in the region of Asturias.
Eating & drinking at a sidrería
Everywhere you go in Asturias you will see sidrerías and it is no different in Llanes. A sidrería is a typical Spanish establishment, where you can drink cider and eat traditional dishes. It is more than just a bar or restaurant; it is an experience in itself.
In such a sidrería, cider is served the traditional way, straight from large barrels. An experienced “escanciador” (cider pourer) pours the cider from a great height into your glass, creating a head of foam. A great and unique experience.
I went out for dinner at Sidrería Restaurante El Puerto. Here the cider is not poured into your glass from a great height, but you get a special device on the table so you can tap cider yourself. Very fun to do!
Casino de Llanes
At the moment, the Casino de Llanes is not meant for gambling, but it is worth checking out. This is because it is housed in a beautiful building with unique architecture. Inside the casino is a bar/restaurant where you can enjoy a snack or drink. It also hosts regular events.
Walk a section of the Camino de Santiago
Do you like to hike? The Camino del Norte, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, passes through Llanes. Therefore, it is highly recommended to walk a section of this world-famous hiking trail while in Llanes.
Llanes is the finishing point of stage 14 (San Vicente de la Barquera – Llanes, 42.2 kilometers) and the starting point of stage 15 (Llanes – Ribadesella, 33.7 kilometers). Considerable distances, but you can always have a cab drop you off or pick you up if you want to walk a shorter section. Thanks to the clear yellow arrows, the trail is easy to follow and you can fully enjoy the beautiful coastal views along the way.
Puerto de Llanes
The Puerto de Llanes is the port of Llanes and this was my first introduction to the town. It is really in the center of town and is a lively place. You can see traditional fishing boats alongside modern yachts here.
Around the port, you will find plenty of restaurants and cafes, in addition, you can take a nice walk along the quay.
Picos de Europa
Finally, I have a tip for a fun day trip from Llanes. Because as you may see during your visit, there is a huge mountain range behind the town. These are the Picos de Europa, an impressive mountain range full of beautiful views and jagged peaks. This is also the first national park in Spain and is truly magnificent to see.
Read more: Picos de Europa: Spain’s first national park
Tip! You can also book a tour from Llanes to Covadonga and Cangas de Onís and visit some of the beautiful places in the Picos.
As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do in Llanes. If you plan on visiting this town, I’m sure you’ll have an unforgettable vacation in this beautiful part of Asturias.
Where to stay in Llanes
Llanes is a great base for a somewhat longer vacation in Asturias, so it is recommended to stay there for a few nights. These are some of the best places to stay in Llanes.
- Hotel Sablón (3⭐) – Beautifully situated on a cliff next to Playa de El Sablón.
- Montemar (3⭐) – A somewhat more modern hotel in the center of town.
- Silken Spa La Hacienda De Don Juan (4⭐) – A fine and comfortable hotel in a beautiful hacienda. It also has a spa where you can relax.
Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.
Book your trip to Asturias
Want to visit Llanes and also some other beautiful places in Asturias? Book your trip now!
✈️ By plane – You can either fly to the airport of Asturias (near Avíles) or Santander. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals.
🚆 Visit Asturias by train – Are you interested in a more sustainable way of traveling? Llanes has a train station and is connected to bigger cities like Oviedo and Santander. Check Rail Europe for train tickets.
🚘 Rental Car – Although you can reach places in Asturias by public transport, it is very useful to have a rental car. This makes it even easier to get to the more rural places and hidden beaches. Check Discover Cars to find the best deals.
🎡 Tours & activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to do in the region of Asturias. Check Get Your Guide to find the best guided tours and activities.
More Spain travel tips
There is a lot to discover in the green north of Spain! Order one of these travel guides for tips and inspiration.
I travel to Spain several times a year and have also visited several regions in northern Spain. Therefore, you can find many Spain tips on this website. Check out these articles:
- The perfect 2 week Asturias itinerary
- 16 Great things to do in Oviedo
- The 20 most beautiful Asturias sights
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I visited Asturias at the invitation of Turismo Asturias and the Spanish Tourism Board. I always share my honest opinion about a destination. Read more about collaborations on this page. This article also contains some affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links it won’t cost you more, but I do get a small commission. This allows me to improve this website. Support this website.
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