East Coast of Asturias and Gulpiyuri Beach
The Protected Landscape of the East Coast of Asturias is an area of 4,666 hectares that encompasses several of the most important geological and tourist attractions in northern Spain. The most popular site in this amazing environment is Gulpiyuri Beach.
This strip on the east coast of Asturias stretches between the Nueva River and the Tina Mayor Estuary, in the concejos of Llanes and Ribadedeva, respectively. It occupies some 30 kilometers of coastline formed by an elevated abrasion platform and limestone, featuring all kinds of cliffs, coves, beaches and islets. The water and wind have created an interesting landscape over a good part of the east coast of Asturias modeled in the shape of eye-catching rock structures. Underground currents have a special protagonism here. Water passes under the rock of the east coast through numerous caves and chasms to emerge violently, giving rise to spectacular streams up to 20 meters high.
The best examples of this phenomenon are the natural monuments of Santiuste and Arenillas. The waters create beaches that are heavily visited during the summer and are wonderful places for swimming. The best-known one is Gulpiyuri Beach and Cobijeru Beach is also popular. Both are protected landscapes and have been declared natural monuments. Most of the vegetation that makes up the landscape of the east coast is composed of meadows and farmland; there is a holm oak forest in certain parts of the elevated areas and scrubland formations (heather, wild olive trees and gorse) on the cliffs. The scarce vegetation of the area is not very conducive to settlements of mammal species. On the other hand, the local bird life enjoys considerable populations of European shags, storm petrels, yellow-legged gulls, little egrets, mallards and water rails.
There are several routes and paths for walking tours (and some for biking) of different elements of the landscape of the east coast of Asturias, including its cliffs, beaches and islets.
The towns of Llanes and Colombres are the main centers of population of the protected landscape of the east coast of Asturias. The main access to the coast is from highway N-634, which in turn marks its southern boundary.
Below are some recommendations of places to eat and sleep around the east coast of Asturias
In Andrín
Restaurante Mesón La Fuente
In Bustio
Restaurante El Puerto
In Colombres
Restaurante Parrilla El Bau
In El Peral
Restaurante Casa Junco
In La Franca
Restaurante La Franca
In Pimiango
Restaurante El Mansolea
In Llanes
Restaurante Siete Puertas
Restaurante Casa Rubiu
Restaurante Casa Poli
Restaurante Covadonga
In Puertas de Vidiago
Restaurante Los Bufones
Restaurante Arucas
In Andrín
Hotel Balcón de la Cuesta
Hotel La Boriza
In Colombres
Hotel Don Silvio
Casa Rural Tras la Fragua
Casa Rural La Arboleda
Camping Colombres
In El Peral
Hotel Casa Junco
In La Franca
Hotel Mirador de La Franca
Hotel La Parra
In Llanes
Hotel Don Paco
Hotel Hacienda de Don Juan
Hotel Las Rocas
Hotel Sablón
Hotel y Camping Palacio de Garaña
Camping Río Purón
In Pendueles
Casa Rural La Vega de Pendueles
Apartamentos La Llobera
In Puertas de Vidiago
Hotel Pugide
In Ribadedeva
Camping Las Hortensias
In Riego
Hotel Bufón de Arenillas
Turismo Activo Rumbo a Picos (Llanes)
Oficina de Turismo de Llanes. C/ Posada herrera, s/n. Llanes. Asturias. España. Teléfono: 985 400 164. Coordenadas GPS aprox. 43º 25' 16.3" N - 4º 45' 15.02" W.
Oficina de Turismo de Ribabedeva. Plaza Manuel Ibáñez Posada, s/n, Colombres. Asturias. España. Teléfono: 985 412 321. Coordenadas GPS aprox. 43º 22' 29.67" N - 4º 32' 24.82" W.