We drove from Barcelona to Asturias from 6 to 10 July 2021 with our two boys, Damian (8) and Marc (5), then carried on east into Cantabria. It took about eight hours of driving to reach Asturias. We stayed the whole time in one place, a small hostel in the old railway station at Novellana, and did everything else as day trips.
This is the route we took, how I’d group the stops if I did it again, and the places I would drop.
The short version
- Drive: about 8 hours from Barcelona to western Asturias, and longer with stops.
- Base: one place for the whole Asturias leg. We chose Novellana, between Cudillero and Luarca, and it worked because most of what we wanted was within 30 minutes.
- Time: 5 days covers the western coast properly. Adding Gijón, Lastres and Llanes means long drive days.
- Car: essential. The villages, beaches and Somiedo are not practical by public transport with kids.
- Kids’ ages: 5 and 8 was a good age for it. Coastal paths and village stairs are fine at that age, but not with a pushchair.
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.
How long is the drive from Barcelona to Asturias?
Plan for around eight hours at the wheel to western Asturias, and more once you add stops for food and for kids who need to run. We did it in one day. With younger children I’d split it and stop overnight on the way.
One thing has changed since our trip. In July 2021 the AP-2 motorway out of Barcelona was still a toll road. The AP-2 and AP-7 have been toll-free since September 2021, so the first stretch now costs less than it did for us.
Where to stay in Asturias with kids: pick one base
Our best decision was staying put. We slept four nights at Albergue Andén de Novellana, a hostel in the former railway station building at Novellana. It isn’t a hotel, it’s simple, and it was right for us. We came back every evening to the same beds, and the Playa del Silencio clifftop was a few minutes away for sunset.
The western coast suits a family base because Cudillero, Cadavedo, Luarca and the beaches around them are all a short drive apart. If Gijón, Lastres and Llanes matter more to you, base yourselves further east instead. Trying to do both ends from one place is what made some of our days long.
Our 5-day Asturias itinerary with kids
This is how I’d group the stops from a western base. Drive times are approximate, from Novellana.
Day 1: Arrive, then the Playa del Silencio clifftop at sunset
After eight hours in the car, don’t plan anything else. The Playa del Silencio viewpoint is under 3 km from Novellana. We never walked down to the beach. We watched the sunset from the top of the cliff, and it gave us some of the best photos of the trip.
Day 2: Cudillero, San Juan de la Arena and Playa de Aguilar
Cudillero (≈15 min) is the colourful fishing village that appears on every Asturias postcard. Park at the top and walk down, because parking by the harbour is limited and paid in season. Then head east to Playa de Aguilar and San Juan de la Arena at the mouth of the Nalón.
Day 3: Cadavedo, Cabo Busto and Luarca
West along the coast. Cadavedo for the La Regalina viewpoint, Cabo Busto lighthouse for a short clifftop walk, and Luarca for the harbour and the rest of the afternoon.
Day 4: Saliencia lakes (Somiedo)
Inland to the mountains. Saliencia was the day we hiked. We hiked up to the lakes, with cows grazing along the way. It’s a full day with a long drive each way (≈1h30), so don’t add anything to it.
Day 5: East along the coast: Gijón, Lastres, Llanes
On our last Asturias day we worked east towards Cantabria: Gijón and the San Lorenzo beach, the hillside village of Lastres, and finally Llanes. It’s a lot for one day. If you have an extra night, sleep in the east and split it.
If you have more time: Tapia de Casariego
Tapia is at the far western end, almost in Galicia (≈1 hour from Novellana). It has a wide beach and a surf scene, and it’s easy to pair with Luarca.
What we’d skip or do differently
- Don’t try to cover the whole coast from one base. The east end cost us the most driving.
- Somiedo deserves its own day. Leave it unhurried.
- Bring layers. Even in July, evenings on the Asturian coast are cool and the weather changes fast.
Continuing into Cantabria
From Llanes we crossed into Cantabria. These are the stops that followed:
- Santander with kids: the Magdalena Palace grounds gave the boys room to run
- Beaches near Santander, including Playa de Langre and the Costa Quebrada cliffs
- Comillas, with Gaudí’s El Capricho and the Palacio de Sobrellano
- Oyambre Natural Park: beaches, dunes and wetlands
- San Sebastián de Garabandal, a quiet mountain village
Planning the same trip? Check prices at Andén de Novellana, where we stayed →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Barcelona to Asturias?
About eight hours of driving to western Asturias, and more with stops. With young children, consider splitting it with an overnight stop. The AP-2 and AP-7 motorways out of Barcelona have been toll-free since September 2021.
How many days do you need in Asturias with kids?
Five days covers the western coast well: Cudillero, Cadavedo, Luarca, the beaches and a day in Somiedo. Add two or three more to include Gijón, Lastres and Llanes without long drive days.
Where is the best place to stay in Asturias with kids?
Choose one base near the part of the coast you want to see. We stayed four nights at Albergue Andén de Novellana, between Cudillero and Luarca, which put most of the western coast within 30 minutes.
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, especially with children.
Is Asturias good for kids?
Yes. Our boys were 5 and 8 and loved the harbours, the clifftop viewpoints and the mountain hike to the Saliencia lakes. Expect stairs and uneven paths rather than pushchair-friendly promenades.
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