We took our day trip to Llanes, with Gijón as our base, during our week-long trip to Asturias. Llanes is a popular summer destination among Spaniards, but I was particularly interested in visiting because my great-great-grandparents, the parents of my Cuban great-grandfather Manolo Fernández Blanco on my maternal grandmother’s side, were from there! They likely emigrated from Llanes to Cuba in the late 19th century. It was exciting to see this little slice of my Spanish-Cuban heritage!
What to Do on a Day Trip To Llanes
#1. Pasear – as always!
One of the best ways to appreciate a day trip to Llanes is to street-stroll. The town is quite charming and sometimes reminded us of our trip to Alsace in eastern France. I found Llanes interesting in that, at times, it’s reminiscent of non-coastal towns in France or Germany, yet it’s also right on the beach! These two components – cozy town + beach – made Llanes feel special.
One of the quaint central plazas in Llanes
We visited Llanes on August 26th, 2020, so we saw street decor from the recently celebrated local San Roque festival, which takes places annually on August 16th.
Street decor – bearing the initials “SR” for San Roque – still adorned the streets when we visited Llanes
Basilica of Santa Maria del ConceyuSome of Llanes’s medieval past lives on through stone structures in the heart of town.
Medieval heart of townLike many coastal towns in Asturias, Llanes has a boat-filled harbor.
#2. Get some art inspo at Los Cubos de la Memoria
Los Cubos de la Memoria (The Cubes of Memory) are quite a unique piece of art. Using the large block-like rocks along the town’s pier, the Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola had some fun coloring and creating playful designs on this otherwise drab breakwater area. Seeing this public artwork was definitely a highlight of our time in Llanes!
Blending in with Los Cubos de la Memoria!
Los Cubos de la Memoria
Los Cubos de la Memoria
Some of my favorite designs on Los Cubos de la Memoria
Tranquilo y tropical#3. Take a dip at the beach!
A trip to Llanes requires a dip in one of the many beaches in and around town. I went to Playa del Sablón, since it was so easy to get to. I love me some mar Cantábrico! 🧜♀️
Enjoying a dip in la Playa del Sablón! Water was chilly at first, but then it was so refreshing and pleasant!
Peace up from la Playa del Sablón#4. Get a sweet view from the Mirador de San Pedro
After taking dip at the Playa del Sablón, head over to the neighboring Mirador de San Pedro for views of the beach and the surrounding coast.
Views of la Playa del Sablón from the Mirador de San Pedro
Views of Los Cubos de la Memoria and the coast from the Mirador de San Pedro
Views from the Mirador de San Pedro#5. Eat – of course!
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, time to eat some of the cuisine that Asturias is known for, be it a hearty cachopo or some fresh seafood. Either way, you gotta pair your meal with some cider! We sat down for lunch on the terrace of a restaurant on the town’s central street and enjoyed these HUGE and DELICIOUS octopus tentacles, lol.
Pulpo!
Así se escancia!Enjoy your day trip to Llanes!