You have to hand it to Asturias, it has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen… To think that all this is less than two hours plane ride from the UK…
There are so many beaches to choose from along its coastline, with a huge variety of natural things to keep small people well and truly happy… There are pebbly beaches, beaches with wide expanses of sand to run free on (and fall over in the sea and have to wear soaking wet shorts for a couple of hours on…)…
Beaches with boardwalks to help protect the environment, linking beach to beach… Beaches with caves to explore, and beaches with dinosaur footprints. Really (we didn’t make it to this particular beach, but Gingerandbread who happened to be there at the same time as us found them – look!)! I really like this local beach guide by the way, if you happen to be visiting soon.
As you might expect, most Asturian beaches are spotlessly clean, and have been awarded blue flag status. The one or two less frequented beaches we stumbled across (and we explored quite a few at the insistence of small people, believe me) and that suffered from a little bit of a plastic junk invasion (where doesn’t nowadays?), led to great environmental discussions about how we should all use less plastic, and a small group of earth warriors determined to clean it up as best they could (take a look at this inspirational Instagram account we found on what you can do with the stuff, and what we can all be doing when we visit the beach anywhere!). They have vowed to pick up ten bits of junk each during future beach visits, and seemed a little disappointed that the rest of Asturias beaches we visited were so devoid of the stuff…
After a busy morning beach exploring (not to mention all that sea air), we followed the coastline back again to the tiny fishing village of Rinlo in hope of some lunch. Our landlady had recommended A Cofradia Del Rinlo to us, with a warning that it was popular and booked weeks in advance in the summer. But she insisted that we should at least try to get a table. Surprisingly for us, we lucked in, and went for the house speciality of Arroz Caldoso (Lobster Rice).
It was exquisite (as was the wine recommendation!), but I was grateful in that we only ordered a pot for two people (although local family groups of the same size around us didn’t struggle with a four person pan!) as that meant we could also enjoy a plate of the freshest mussels, and a platter of beautiful warm octopus drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with paprika along side. Do have the dessert if you can manage it. Do go for a walk down to the rocky beach behind a short walk from the restaurant to appreciate the views, and to try and work off some of that decadent lunch (plus there are great rock pools to explore here!), just don’t forget to book a table in the first place…
This looks absolutely gorgeous and the food sounds delicious – I love all that hearty one-pot cuisine they service in Spain and Portugal.
I’ll have to keep Asturias in mind as a quick flight from Stansted: always on the look out for good short break ideas.
Go for it Trish, it’s so beautiful!
I’ve bookmarked this post as we will be heading to Asturias in the Fall. Ginger pointed me in your direction. My husband used to travel to Asturias for work, and he swore it was one of the places he’d bring me to. He’s since retired so does not travel there, but we do have a colleague or two from the area who will point us in the right direction. The beaches look lovely – I can’t wait to try all that seafood :)
Hi Loretta! I am so pleased you are finally getting to visit in the fall. I imagine it will be really beautiful then with all the changing colours, plus it will be quiet after the summer season, and all that seafood is just waiting! Enjoy (and do try to pop to the little restaurant in Rinlos if you have time!) :)
Oh that looks lovely! We have lunch at the beach most weekends – need a good walk afterwards to even out the calories too ;)
I would love to live near the sea again Kate, it’s just such a nice way of life isn’t it? Thanks Kate! (:
I am a sucker for a sandy beach but the kids prefer those with rocks as more to see (and climb) – looks like a happy medium here
Definitely something for everyone here! Thanks Kara! (:
Goodness you can’t beat seafood at the seaside, you can’t get fresher than that!
Thanks Liz! (:
Loving those stunning pictures – how I could do with a beach right now… Thanks for the link up, and for that restaurant recommendation. We are already planning our next visit
We should meet for lunch next time, I am definitely going back! :)
Those beaches are amazing, so beautiful. I’d love to visit sometime. The food photos are brilliant too, apart from the octopus, I can’t be doing with that, or squid, just not to my taste. I’d definitely try the lobster rice though. I’ve not tried Gusto, but I would be tempted.
I don’t usually like it either Anne, but this stuff was good! :D Thank you! :)
Such stunning beaches! I’d have actually thought they were British beaches if I hadn’t have known better.
We do have some gorgeous beaches too don’t we? Thanks Erica! (:
So glad you had a good holiday! Am loving the photos, as I knew I would, and love reading your take on the place. Next time we’ll definitely have to meet up! x
Thank you Mary. Definitely definitely! One more post to come on Picos De Europa, and then that’s it, until next visit! :D Hope your ankle is on the mend! x
It sounds so lovely there and the food looks amazing!!! Reading this made me hungry!! Mmmm lobster!xx
You should go. I keep telling you, getting on the plane with a baby makes any flight super short! :D xx