Nueva is a small town in Asturias about 2 km from the sea and the beautiful beach of Cuevas del Mar. It is about 20km from Llanes.
Explore Nueva and the Playa de Cuevas del Mar beach
Spain This Way review: The Playa de Cuevas del Mar is one of the prettiest beaches on the Asturain coast and popular for good reason.
Playa de Cuevas del Mar
The Playa de Cuevas del Mar is a superb beach. It is a small crescent shaped beach enclosed on either side by the rocky Asturian coast. The rocks around its edges have been eaten away by the sea forming a series of caves and arches which are stunning to see.
Aim to get to the beach at low tide when you can best see the caves and arches in the rocks.
The beach has parking, the free parking fills up quickly but there was a field where you could pay a small sum to park which was fairly empty when we visited.
However I have since found out the local council are very quick to hand out 200 euro fines with no appeal if you are parked where you shouldn't and it seems where you can and cannot park is not made at all clear!
There is also a cafe selling drinks and food and so it is possible to find refreshments if you didn't bring your own.
There is a path that leads from Playa de Cuevas del Mar over the headland and to the beach of San Antonio. The Playa de San Antonio can only be reached by foot and has no facilities but it is also very pretty and so fairly popular.
Indeed it was voted the 'best beach in Spain' by Conde Naste Traveler magazine in 2020.
Nueva
The nearby town of Nueva is a pretty little town. In 1953 when Asturias held its first annual competition for most beautiful town Nueva was the winner.
From the mid 18th until the 20th century many locals left Asturias to make their fortunes in the Americas, in Mexico and Cuba in particular. Many returned very wealthy and set to building homes large and rather exotic homes.
There are a number of these "Indianos" houses in Nueva, mostly built in the late 19 and early 20th century.
Also noteworthy is the 18th century 'Palace of the Counts of Vega del Sella' which is attached to its tower dating from medieval times.
There is also a 16th century palace, an 18th century hermitage and a pilgrim's hospital which dates from the 12th century though the building has been very largely renovated.
Places to visit near Nueva and the Playa de Cuevas del Mar
Nearby Llanes is a thoroughly charming coastal town. It is an excellent base to explore this part of Asturias.
Ribadesella is also a lovely coastal town and has a number of Modernist villas to see.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Asturias and Cantabria guide.
Find Nueva (or elsewhere) hotels
Reserve excursions near Nueva
Photos of Nueva
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Map of Nueva and places to visit
Nueva places to visit
Ribadesella
Ribadesella is a charming seaside resort with an old town, a sandy beach and Modernista villas.
Ribadesella guide
Llanes
Llanes is an excellent seaside town on a rugged stretch of coast and with the Picos de Europa providing a backdrop.
Llanes 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
Cangas de Onis
Cangas de Onis has a lovely Roman bridge and fantastic mountain scenery. It is close to Covadonga said to be the starting place for the Reconquest.
Cangas de Onis guide
Lastres
Lastres is a lovely coastal village and classified as one of the most beautiful villages of Spain.
Lastres guide
Mogrovejo
Mogrovejo is one of Spain's most beautiful villages. Mogrovejo is a mountain village in the Picos de Europa.
Mogrovejo guide