Llanes is a coastal town in the province of Asturias in the region of Asturias and Cantabria. Llanes is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
The old quarter has been listed as a 'historic and artistic' complex.
Explore Llanes
Spain This Way review: Llanes is a charming coastal resort on the beautiful northern Spain coastline, one of our favourites in the Asturias region. With the Picos de Europa behind, and on a very attractive stretch of coast with lots of cliffs, coves and beaches, its position is great.
Llanes has a lovely old town with medieval walls and a number of impressive buildings to look out for. There is a circular medieval tower along the walls which was once key to the defence of Llanes.
Near to here is the Iglesia de Santa Maria which was built in the 15th century in Gothic style but with a Romanesque facade. It is a key point on the Camino de Santiago.
Llanes is home to a number of Renaissance palaces including the Casa del Cercau, the Duques de Estrada and the Palacio de Gastanaga.
Cultural events take place throughout the year in the Casa de Cultura in the Palacio de Posada herrera dating from the 17th century.
Many locals from Llanes emigrated to the "Americas' to make their fortunes and many did indeed return rich.
They then built large houses for themselves in an eclectic mix of styles from modernist to mountain chalet and inside had furniture brought in from Paris and Barcelona.
These houses are collectively known as the 'Indianas' and examples can be seen on La Calle de la Concepcion, near the Casino, and Avenida de la Paz.
The Casino is one of these and is an example of the Modernist style and is used for exhibitions and events.
Many of the mansions built by those returning from the Americas have a palm tree in their gardens to symbolise their origins.
Also to be found as you walk around the town are the various chapels including La Capilla de la Magdalena and La Capilla de San Roque/
The historic centre and the area around the port are very vibrant and filled with bars and restaurants to sample during your visit.
Of course another attraction is the beaches. There are three main beaches by the town. The best, though the furthest away is the Toro beach which has a liberal scattering of pointy rocks on the beach and in the sea.
The closest is the Sablon beach and above this there is a long rambla, the San Pedro Walk. It's a great place to go for a walk and see the dramatic coastal scenery on one side and the town on the other. Another of the nice town beaches is the Puerto Chico beach.
The harbour of Llanes is interesting with its 'Los Cubos de Memoria' (Cubes of Memory). This is a breakwater to protect the harbour made up of lots of cubes of reinforced concrete.
It was designed by Augustin Ibarrola and the cubes are decorated to represent the towns history and fauna and flora as well as the artist himself. It has rather faded with time though.
Llanes has featured in various films and tv shows and there is a cinema route around the town highlighting the main locations used.
Places to visit near to Llanes
The best beach in the area, and one of the best in Spain is the Cuevas del Mar beach with its beautiful sculpted rocky cliffs. The beach is now a protected landscape but that does not stop you from going and enjoying the beach and sea and there is a car park nearby.
Also to look out for are geological formations called 'jesters' which are holes in the cliff that go right down to the sea and through which spumes of seawater are sprayed out of the top. It often makes a howling noise at the same time!
There are four jesters in the area; Bufones de Pria, Bufones de Arallinas, Bufon de Santiuste and Bufon de Santa Clara.
The nearby coastal town of Ribadesella with its huge beach and Modernist villas is another treat on this part of the coast.
The pretty, small town of Potes is nearby. It is a good place to start a walk in the Picos de Europa mountains. Also with a backdrop of the Picos de Europa mountains is the pleasant town of Cangas de Onis with its 'Roman Bridge'.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Asturias and Cantabria guide.
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Photos of Llanes
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Map of Llanes and places to visit
Llanes places to visit
Nueva
Nueva is an attractive town near to the beautiful beach of Playa de Cueva del Mar in Asturias, Spain.
Nueva guide
Ribadesella
Ribadesella is a charming seaside resort with an old town, a sandy beach and Modernista villas.
Ribadesella guide
Covadonga
Covadonga village and sanctuary are set in beautiful mountain scenery. The Battle of Covadonga is considered to be the start of the Reconquest of Spain.
Covadonga guide
San Vicente de la Barquera
San Vicente de la Barquera is an interesting town on the Cantabrian coast.
San Vicente de la Barquera guide
Mogrovejo
Mogrovejo is one of Spain's most beautiful villages. Mogrovejo is a mountain village in the Picos de Europa.
Mogrovejo guide
Potes
Take a step back in time as you wander around the lovely old town of Potes. An excellent base for visiting the Picos de Europa.
Potes guide