Llanes, Asturias with Kids: Beaches, the Paseo de San Pedro and the Painted Cubes
Llanes was our last stop in Asturias. On 10 July 2021 we drove east from our base in Novellana with Damian (8) and Marc (5), stopped here, and carried on into Cantabria that evening. It’s a harbour town at the eastern end of the Asturian coast, with the mountains of the Sierra del Cuera close behind it.
The short version
- Where: eastern Asturias, close to the Cantabria border.
- Don’t miss: the Paseo de San Pedro clifftop walk and the Cubos de la Memoria on the harbour wall.
- Beaches: El Sablón and Puerto Chico in town, and Toró just beyond.
- Time: half a day on a road trip, or a good base for a few days in the east.
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.
Paseo de San Pedro
A grassy promenade along the top of the cliffs, first built in 1847, which starts above El Sablón beach. It’s flat and wide, with the sea below you on one side and the town on the other. It’s an easy walk with children, but keep them away from the edge.
Cubos de la Memoria
The concrete blocks that protect the harbour wall from the waves were painted in bright colours and patterns by the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola. They turned a breakwater into the most photographed spot in town, and children love spotting the patterns.
Beaches in Llanes with kids
- Playa del Sablón: right in town, below the promenade, between the cliff and the port. It’s the easiest one with small children.
- Playa de Puerto Chico: near the lighthouse. It shrinks a lot at high tide, so check the tide times.
- Playa de Toró: the largest of the town coves, full of rock formations. It’s great for exploring and for photos.
Llanes on an Asturias road trip
From a base in western Asturias, Llanes is a long drive. We did it on our way to Cantabria, together with Lastres and Gijón. If you have more time, sleep in the east and give Llanes a full day.
More: Our Barcelona to Asturias road trip · Santander with kids
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Llanes?
Llanes is a harbour town on the eastern coast of Asturias, close to the border with Cantabria.
Is Llanes good for families?
Yes. The Paseo de San Pedro is a flat clifftop walk, the painted Cubos de la Memoria are fun for children, and El Sablón beach is right in town.
What are the best beaches in Llanes?
In town, Playa del Sablón and Playa de Puerto Chico. Just beyond them, Playa de Toró is the largest cove, full of rock formations.
What are the Cubos de la Memoria?
They are the concrete breakwater blocks on the Llanes harbour wall, painted in bright colours by the artist Agustín Ibarrola.
How many days do you need in Llanes?
Half a day covers the town, the promenade and a beach. Stay two or three days to use it as a base for eastern Asturias.
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