Playa del Silencio, Asturias: The Viewpoint, the Path Down and Going with Kids
Playa del Silencio is one of the most photographed beaches in Asturias: a curved cove of grey stones below high cliffs, near the village of Castañeras in Cudillero. We stayed less than 3 km away in Novellana in July 2021, with Damian (8) and Marc (5). We never went down to the beach. We went up to the clifftop in the evenings and watched the sun set over the cove, and I don’t regret it.
The short version
- Where: Castañeras, Cudillero municipality, western Asturias. About 15 km west of Cudillero and under 3 km from Novellana.
- Parking: a small dirt car park at the start of the path (around €2), plus a few roadside spaces.
- Path down: 10–15 minutes on foot, and longer coming back up.
- Beach: about 500 m of rounded stones, not sand. No lifeguard, toilets or showers.
- With small kids: the viewpoint at the top is the easy win, especially at sunset.
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.
The viewpoint and the sunset
By the car park there’s a viewpoint with a bench, looking straight down into the cove. That’s where we went every evening. The cliffs close in on both sides, the rocks stand out of the water, and at sunset the whole cove turns orange. With a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old at the end of a long day, it was exactly the right amount of effort, and it gave us the best photos of the trip.
How to get down to Playa del Silencio
From the parking area a path leads down the cliff to the beach in 10–15 minutes. It’s steep in places. Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops, and remember that the climb back up is the hard part with tired children.
What the beach is like
It’s a shell-shaped cove about 500 metres long, made of rounded stones rather than sand, with some of the clearest water on this coast, popular for snorkelling. It’s part of the protected landscape of the western Asturian coast, which is why it has no facilities at all. Bring water, snacks and water shoes, and take everything home with you.
Is Playa del Silencio good for kids?
The viewpoint: yes, for any age. The beach: better for older, confident children. The path is steep, the stones are hard on small feet, and there’s no lifeguard. With toddlers or younger children, watch from the top and swim at a lifeguarded beach instead, such as Playa de Aguilar.
Where to stay near Playa del Silencio
We stayed at Albergue Andén de Novellana, a simple hostel in the old railway station less than 3 km away, which made evening visits easy.
More: Asturias with kids · Cudillero · Asturias beaches for families
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Playa del Silencio?
Playa del Silencio is near Castañeras in the municipality of Cudillero, on the western coast of Asturias, about 15 km west of Cudillero village.
Where do you park for Playa del Silencio?
There is a small dirt car park at the start of the path, costing around €2, plus a few roadside spaces along the access road.
How long is the walk down to Playa del Silencio?
About 10–15 minutes on foot from the parking area. The path is steep in places, and the walk back up takes longer.
Does Playa del Silencio have facilities?
No. There is no lifeguard, no toilets and no showers, because the beach is in a protected natural area.
Is Playa del Silencio good for kids?
The clifftop viewpoint is good for any age, especially at sunset. The beach itself suits older, confident children: the path is steep, the beach is stones rather than sand, and there is no lifeguard.
