Why Llanes Is Worth the Trip
Located in the Asturias region in the North of the country, Llanes was chosen as Spain’s Best Beach destination by the National Geographic Readers in 2026. You can go to famous beaches like Torimbia, Ballota, and Gulpiyuri, or enjoy the sunset at beaches inside the city – El Sablón, Puerto Chico, or Toró Beach.
We also liked Llanes for its port and cute fishing boats. Walking the narrow streets of Llanes, you can get beautiful views of it, the old architecture, and the mountains. It’s very relaxing! The city center is very walkable and bike-friendly. Filled with restaurants, bars, and cafes!
Llanes grew from a fishing village to a nice town with charming streets, baroque palaces, and medieval buildings. These are close enough to visit on foot:
- The Gastañaga Palace
- The Palace of the Duque Estrada
- The Torreón
- Basílica de Santa María del Concejo
- Posada Herrera
A drink with a view
Walk a couple of minutes from the city center, and you’ll get to Toro beach. The scenery is amazing: it has huge rocks rising from the ocean and the water has a beautiful range of colors. Don’t worry, this beach is also sandy and comfortable. We like to come here and get a cold beer at the Riomar Restaurant. They also serve food like fried fish and seafood, but also regional dishes like Cachopo. The view is unbeatable!
Where we stayed in Llanes
For a budget stay, we chose Hotel Miraolas. It’s close to the city center and the Toro beach. The room is simple but clean, and it has everything we needed. More expensive rooms have a great view of the port of Llanes.
STAY IN LLANES
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Afternoon plans
Coming back to the main beach in Llanes, it’s worth climbing to the San Pedro view point, to see how crystal clear the water is and admire the amazing view of the Picos de Europa mountains.
Take the opportunity to unwind and walk the San Pedro Promenade which stretches along the coast of Llanes.
Another great plan is to go swim in the Atlantic Ocean and perfect your tan on the Sablon Beach! We went at the beginning of June and it wasn’t very crowded.
Dinner in the port
For dinner, we went to the El Puerto Restaurant. They have two terraces: one with barrels and high tables, for drinks and quick tapas; and one with low tables, for lunch and dinner. Both terraces have a beautiful view of the Port of Llanes. Inside, they offer plenty of tables and in a nice and maritime ambiance – in case you need to keep out of the rain.
From the menu, we found plenty of options for the white wine and then for the food. We had been wanting to try the Parrochas in Llanes for a long time, and now we got our chance. These are small sardines with ham. The exterior is crispy, not even a bit oily, and the interior is delicate. The ham is also fried until crunchy, and adds a salty note to pair with the Parrochas.
Then we shared fried calamari strips, called here Rabas de calamar. These were perfectly crispy on the exterior and soft inside. They had enough salt and didn’t taste heavy from the oil. Also, the calamari itself tasted fresh and a bit sweet. The whole experience was fantastic because we were on the terrace and could enjoy the views of the port.
Last, we couldn’t resist ordering a favourite from Asturias, the region Llanes is located in. Escalopines con Cabrales are fried, breaded beef fillets with sauce made from Cabrales cheese. Think blue cheese.
Sidrería Restaurante El Puerto – Llanes
Seeing so many fish options on their blackboard, we decided to have dinner with a view, on their terrace. We were impressed, and we will come back!
Read moreMorning coffee
The next day, we started with a croissant and coffee at the Xana Cafe. We like going there for the view of the nice architecture.
Lunch at a cider house
For lunch, we decided on La Casona, a cider house with an ample terrace. We started with an Asturian favourite – Pastel de Cabracho, meaning scorpionfish cake. It goes great on a cracker and a bit of mayonnaise. We like ordering this dish because it has a seafood flavour and a creamy texture.
Next, we tried the house skillet dish with elvers – known in Spanish as Angulas, a fried egg, potatoes, and mushrooms. Something new for us and very hearty. We found it best to break the egg over any Spanish dish. And then mix everything together.
We knew pig’s trotters were typical for Asturias, so we wanted to see how they were. The presentation at La Casona was terrific, and the dish was very filling!
Sidreria La Casona – Llanes
Traditionally decorated restaurant with a big terrace, offering delicious options for those looking for Asturian flavours.
Read moreWatch our trip
Download the Extended Llanes Guide
Everything in this article is a starting point. The PDF goes further – more restaurants, more beaches, more hidden spots, and a private map with everything marked so you can explore without guessing.
What’s inside:
- More restaurant recommendations: fresh seafood, cider houses, and spots with views of the port and the ocean
- More beach and attraction recommendations beyond what is covered here
- Accommodation picks for every budget
- Parking advice for navigating Llanes stress-free
- A private interactive map with every spot marked
- Full offline access – download once, use without internet