Asturias

 

It is never really cold in this part of Asturias and it hardly ever gets too hot. Year-round the countryside is lush and green. But all that green comes at a price… It rains a lot. A lot! In any season of the year, you can expect a good shower or a fine drizzle at any time. That also means that humidity is very high, especially here in the village of La Pereda, which is nestled at the foot of a mountain range that often stops the clouds from going further inland. It is quite normal for a thick layer of mist to hover over La Pereda while over the sea the sky is clear and blue.

So a grey day might be expected, but the weather might suddenly turn for the better, too. Nothing is prettier than a dark blue sky set against all the different shades of green. Spring and autumn often offer days warm enough to spend at the beach, with way fewer people than in the peak months of July and August.

Llanes is a great location from where to explore the area. With both mountains and beaches and lots of quaint villages around, there is plenty to do, no matter what the weather is like. Hiking, cycling, relaxing at one of the many beaches or trying out one of Asturias’ famous dishes, it is all within reach from our house in La Pereda.

Transportation
The nearest airport is the one at Santander (1 hour by car), followed by Oviedo (1.10 hour by car) or Bilbao (2.25 hour by car).

Llanes is accessible by bus (alsa) from airport cities such as Bilbao (a 3 hour trip), Santander (1.5 hours) or Oviedo airport (2 hours). Our house in La Pereda is located 3.8km from Llanes and there is no public transportation back and forth, so a car is recommended. La Pereda itself is a hamlet with a cute church, an Asturian bowling court, but little else. There are car rental services at the airports as well as in Llanes.

Things to do
The historic centre of Llanes still shows traces of its past as a whaling port. Some of the buildings date back to the 13th century. Explore the centre of town or walk along the Paso the San Pedro, along the  cliffs, with a beautiful view over mountains and sea.

Beaches
Llanes and surroundings have, despite or maybe because of its rugged coastline, some of the most beautiful beaches! Some are rocky, others have fine white sand. There are beaches with funky rock formations, islands and even caves. None are the same, all are worth visiting! Just be aware of the tide. Download an app or look online so you won’t be surprised by high tide. 

Some of the beaches not to be missed are:

• Andrín (Playa de Andrín)
• Barru (Barru)
• Buelna (Cobijeru, Gulpiyuri)
• Celorio (Borizu, Troenzo, Palombina)
• Cué (Antilles, Playa de Cué, La Ballota)
• Llanes (El Sablón, Puertu Chicu, Playa de Toró)
• Niembro (Torimbia, Toranda)
• Poo (Playa de Poo, San Martín)
• Villa Nueva (Cuevas del Mar)

Hiking
Asturias is hiking paradise! Whether you fancy an adventurous hike or a relaxing stroll, there are plenty of routes of different lengths and levels. You can walk the pilgrim trails along the coast or opt for the countryside. Some places to consider are:

Porrua (Ruta de la Mañanga)
Camin Encantau
Picos de Europa
For more information, click here.

Towns
Charming towns to visit within an hour's driving distance:

• Comillas (El Capricho de Gaudi)
• Lastres (Jurassic Museum)
• Ribadesella (Cuevas de Tito Bustillo, beach)
• Santillana del Mar (Cuevas de Altamira)

Festivities:
Folklore is still very much alive in Asturias! Each town has its own patron saint, sometimes more than one, and their special days are celebrated with traditional music, dance and processions. Click here for an actual calendar.