Candás brings together its town beach and harbor, maritime history, sculpture and local food culture. The Playa Palmera promenade leads to the harbor, while the museum and exhibition reveal other sides of the town. This means you can explore the coast, culture and history as distinct themes during your stay.
Beach, promenade and harbor
Playa Palmera is Candás’s 240-meter-long town beach, with golden sand. The promenade leads to the harbor, connecting the beach and harbor. Playa Palmera also offers opportunities for various water and underwater sports. If you want to focus your stay on coastal activities, the beach and water sports are good themes to consider when planning.
The beach has ramp access as well as accessible showers, changing rooms and toilets. The amphibious chair must be reserved in advance through the lifeguard service. It is available Monday through Thursday; times depend on the tides. Seasonal or tide-dependent conditions may apply to accessible facilities.
Sculpture and the canning industry
The Museo Antón is housed in the Casona de los Estrada-Nora, an 18th-century house in the heart of Candás, near the harbor. Sculptures are displayed outdoors in its spacious garden. The museum is dedicated to the sculptor Antonio Rodríguez García (1911–1937) and sculpture in all its forms. Individual and family visits are possible, and admission is free. Check the visiting conditions before you travel.
The Exposición Permanente de la Industria Conservera de Candás offers a different cultural perspective. Using original items and models, it presents the history of the canning industry in Candás. While the Museo Antón is dedicated to sculpture, this exhibition focuses on local industrial history.
Maritime history and a cycling route
The harbor has played an important role in the maritime history of the Cantabrian Sea since the Middle Ages. Candás itself was also shaped by significant maritime and commercial activity in medieval times. Since 1917, a lighthouse at Punta de San Antonio has guided sailors through dark nights. These places and stories give the coast a historical dimension alongside its beachside appeal.
If you’re heading to Candás as part of a cycling trip, consider the route from Gijón to Avilés: it passes through Candás, where you can visit the harbor. The route combines the journey itself with a stop at one of the town’s defining places.
Festival and local specialties
The Festival de la Sardina is part of the San Félix de Candás celebrations and takes place every year on August 1. Sardines are grilled live at stalls along the San Antonio promenade. If you’re planning your visit around the festival, check that year’s program before you travel.
Food is a local specialty even outside the festival: Candás is known for the sweet treat called marañuelas. Alongside the beach, harbor and various cultural attractions, it shows that a stay here doesn’t have to focus on just one side of the town.
Discover more destinations: Calle De La Vega, Dormon, Perlora, Guimarán
Return to the regional travel guide: Carreño.
