The 9 Best Beaches in Asturias for Families
Asturian beaches are wild, and the tides are big. The same cove can be a wide stretch of sand in the morning and almost gone by lunchtime. This is the list we’d give friends travelling with children, from our July 2021 trip along the coast with Damian (8) and Marc (5), split into easy family beaches and the dramatic ones.
The short version
- Easiest with small kids: Playa de Aguilar, Playa de Anguileiro (Tapia), Playa de Lastres. All three have lifeguards and facilities in season.
- City beach: San Lorenzo in Gijón, but check the tides.
- Most dramatic: Playa del Silencio. Best seen from the clifftop with young children.
- Always: check the tide times, bring water shoes, and watch the flags.
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.
Easy family beaches (lifeguards and facilities)
1. Playa de Aguilar (Muros de Nalón)
360 metres of golden sand with lifeguards in summer, toilets, showers, a boardwalk and a car park with over 100 spaces. It had a Blue Flag in 2019. The waves can be strong, so stay between the flags. Our Playa de Aguilar guide.
2. Playa de Anguileiro (Tapia de Casariego)
About 400 metres, with lifeguards, showers and toilets. There’s also a free seawater pool in the rocks nearby, and surfers to watch. Tapia with kids.
3. Playa de Lastres
The village beach below Lastres, with lifeguards, toilets and showers. It’s the reward after walking down the steep village. Lastres with kids.
4. Playa de San Lorenzo (Gijón)
Almost 1.5 km of city beach below the promenade, with lifeguards and facilities in season. At high tide the water reaches the sea wall and the sand almost disappears, so go at low tide. With small children, use the calmer end by stairways 1–3, near the church of San Pedro and the old quarter of Cimavilla. Gijón with kids.
5. Playa del Sablón (Llanes)
The small town beach right below the Paseo de San Pedro. It’s easy to combine with the painted Cubos de la Memoria. Llanes with kids.
6. Playas de Luarca
Primera and Segunda playa by the harbour, and Playa de Salinas with its striped beach huts. Luarca with kids.
Wild and dramatic beaches
7. Playa del Silencio (Cudillero)
A cove of stones under high cliffs, with no facilities and a 10–15 minute steep path down. We watched the sunset from the top, which I’d recommend with young children. Playa del Silencio guide.
8. Playa de Toró (Llanes)
The largest of the Llanes coves, full of rock formations. It’s more for exploring and photos than for sandcastles.
9. Playa de Cadavedo
About 400 metres of mixed sand and stones below the village, reached by a road with parking at the end. Bring water shoes. Cadavedo and La Regalina.
Tips for Asturian beaches with kids
- Tides: the difference is big. Check the tide times before choosing a beach.
- Water shoes: many beaches mix sand with stones.
- Flags: the Cantabrian Sea has strong currents. Swim only between the flags where there are lifeguards.
- Layers: even in July, a cloudy afternoon on the beach can be cool.
More: Asturias with kids · Our Asturias road trip · Beaches near Santander
If you have 7 days
Add two nights on the eastern coast around Lastres or Llanes. Then Gijón, Lastres and Llanes each get a relaxed half day instead of being squeezed into one drive, and you’re closer to Cantabria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Asturias for families?
For small children, Playa de Aguilar in Muros de Nalón: golden sand, lifeguards in summer, toilets, showers and a large car park. Playa de Anguileiro in Tapia and Playa de Lastres are also good choices.
Are Asturias beaches safe for kids?
Choose beaches with lifeguards in season and swim between the flags. The Cantabrian Sea has strong currents and a big tidal range, so check the tide times too.
What is San Lorenzo beach in Gijón like at high tide?
At high tide the water reaches the sea wall and the sand almost disappears. Visit at low tide, and with small children use the calmer end near stairways 1–3.
Is Playa del Silencio good for families?
The clifftop viewpoint is, especially at sunset. The beach has no facilities, is made of stones and is reached by a steep path, so it suits older children better.
