We spent five days in Asturias in July 2021 with Damian (8) and Marc (5), driving from Barcelona and basing ourselves on the western coast. It’s green and cool, even in July, with fishing villages built into cliffs, beaches under the headlands and lakes high in the mountains. This page collects everything we saw, grouped by area, with where to stay in each.
The short version
- Best for: families who like villages, viewpoints, short walks and wild beaches more than resorts.
- Car: essential.
- Base: pick one area and do day trips. The coast is long and the drive from west to east takes most of a morning.
- Pack: layers and a rain jacket, even in summer.
- Pushchairs: hard work in most villages because of the stairs. Bring a carrier for toddlers.
Short on time? Our top 3 picks on the western Asturias coast
Albergue Andén de Novellana – Novellana, a simple hostel in the old railway station with family rooms and a shared kitchen, minutes from the Playa del Silencio clifftop.
La Casona de Pío – Cudillero, a converted fish-salting factory a short walk from the harbour, with a home-made breakfast.
Hotel El Rosal de Cudillero – Cudillero, a renovated mansion with a garden and free parking, one of the best-rated stays on this coast.
Western coast: Cudillero to Tapia
Where we stayed, and my favourite part of Asturias with children: short drives, dramatic cliffs and small harbours.
- Cudillero: colourful houses stacked around a tiny harbour. Park at the top, walk down and climb to a viewpoint.
- Novellana: a quiet parish where we stayed, in a hostel inside the old railway station.
- Playa del Silencio: the famous stone cove. We watched the sunset from the clifftop.
- Cadavedo and Cabo Busto: the La Regalina hermitage on the cliff and an easy lighthouse walk.
- Luarca: the white harbour town, with the Atalaya lighthouse above it.
- Tapia de Casariego: surf town almost in Galicia, with a lifeguarded beach and a free seawater pool.
- Playa de Aguilar: a golden-sand family beach with lifeguards and a big car park.
Central and eastern coast: Gijón to Llanes
- Gijón: the city beach of San Lorenzo and the old fishing quarter of Cimavilla.
- Lastres: a steep village from the TV series Doctor Mateo, with a view to the Picos de Europa from San Roque.
- Llanes: a clifftop promenade, painted breakwater cubes and small town beaches.
Mountains: Somiedo
Lagos de Saliencia was our mountain day: a hike from Alto de la Farrapona to glacial lakes, with cows grazing all the way. The full loop suits older children, and younger ones can walk to the first lake and back.
Where to stay in Asturias with kids
This is the decision that shapes the trip. Asturias is long, so choose the area first and the hotel second.
| Area | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Western coast (Cudillero, Novellana, Luarca) | Villages, clifftop viewpoints, short drives between stops. Where we stayed. | Gijón, Lastres and Llanes are 1–2 hours away. |
| Eastern coast (Lastres, Llanes) | Easier beaches, and close to Cantabria if you’re continuing east. | Far from the western villages. |
| Mountains (Pola de Somiedo) | Hiking, lakes and cows. A night here saves a four-hour round trip. | No sea, and cooler evenings. |
With five days, stay in the west. With a week, split it: four nights west and three east.
Western coast picks
See the three picks at the top of this page. We stayed at the first one.
Eastern coast picks
Short on time? Our top 3 picks on the eastern Asturias coast
El Cantil – central Llanes, simple, clean and inexpensive, a short walk to the harbour.
Hotel Sablón – Llanes, on the cliff above El Sablón beach, with sea views and parking.
CoolRooms Palacio de Luces – Luces, 2 km from Lastres, a 5-star 16th-century palace with an indoor heated pool and spa.
Somiedo picks
Short on time? Our top 3 picks in Somiedo
Pensión Casa Cesáreo – Pola de Somiedo, simple rural rooms and one of the best-value stays in the park.
Auriz Turismo Rural – Pola de Somiedo, apartments that feel more like a house, good for families.
Palacio Flórez Estrada – Pola de Somiedo, a historic palace with well-kept gardens.
When to go to Asturias with kids
We went in early July, which is summer holidays without the August crowds. Expect green landscapes, mild temperatures and some rain. It’s rarely beach-hot every day, which suits sightseeing with children. Avoid the mountain lakes in spring, when snow patches remain on the trails.
Getting to Asturias
We drove from Barcelona in about eight hours. Our Barcelona to Asturias road trip has the route and our day-by-day, plus the continuation into Cantabria.
More: The best Asturias beaches for families · Santander with kids
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asturias good for kids?
Yes. Our boys were 5 and 8 and loved the harbours, clifftop viewpoints, beaches and the mountain hike to the Saliencia lakes. Expect stairs and uneven paths rather than pushchair-friendly promenades.
Where is the best place to stay in Asturias with kids?
For villages and viewpoints, the western coast around Cudillero and Luarca. For easier beaches and a route into Cantabria, the eastern coast around Lastres and Llanes. Choose one base and do day trips.
How many days do you need in Asturias with kids?
Five days covers one part of the coast well. With a week, split it between the western and eastern coast.
Do you need a car in Asturias?
Yes. The villages, beaches and Somiedo Natural Park are spread out and public transport between them is limited.
What is the best time to visit Asturias with kids?
Early summer, from late June to mid-July, before the August crowds. Expect mild temperatures and some rain, so pack layers.
