An extensive coastline, with a succession of beaches and cliffs, gives Castrillón a distinctive setting. At Playa de Salinas, different aspects of this coastal landscape come together: surfers across Asturias value the beach for its high-quality waves, though conditions depend on the weather. At one end of the beach, on the La Peñona peninsula, you’ll also find the Museo de Anclas Philippe Cousteau.
Beaches, Dunes and Coastal Experiences
The facilities at Playa de Salinas also offer practical amenities: there are toilets, showers, a nautical club, a tourist information office, a children’s area and a zone for practising surfing. Some facilities may be seasonal. Those interested in Playa del Espartal will find a different combination of nature and activity there: its dune system is designated a natural monument, and the beach is suitable for swimming and surfing. Whether these activities are suitable can depend on conditions.
Another distinctive feature of the coast is Isla La Deva. It is the region’s largest coastal island and a valuable habitat for numerous birds. Castrillón thus brings together a range of coastal attractions: the waves at Playa de Salinas, the protected dune system at Playa del Espartal, and the island’s landscape and biological significance.
Trails with Different Route Features
Two routes can be distinguished by their length and the features mentioned for each. The Senda Verde del Agua is over 16 km long and begins at the recreational trail in Pillarno. Along the way, it crosses three aqueducts, including the aqueducts of Meruxeras and Meirones. The Senda Costa Norte runs for around 18 km from San Juan de Nieva to Playón de Bayas, also known as El Sablón. It is suitable for walking and cycling. For this route, the description specifies both endpoints and the intended uses, as well as its approximate length; for the Senda Verde del Agua, the starting point and aqueducts are notable landmarks.
Área Recreativa Pinos Altos can be reached on foot via the Senda Costa Norte from Arnao or Salinas, or by car. A viewpoint there offers views of Salinas and its beach.
Cultural Heritage: Architectural Styles and History
Castrillón’s rural heritage includes traditional Asturian houses, hórreos and paneras, as well as mills, fountains and washhouses. Particularly representative hórreos and paneras are decorated in the Carreño style; they can be found in Teboyas, Peñarrey and Llodares. These place names give the architectural theme a specific local context and add to the variety of historic structures mentioned.
Another way to explore the area’s history is at Mina de Arnao, considered Europe’s only underwater mine and the oldest hard-coal mine on the Iberian Peninsula. In the Quiloño valley, through which most of the Way of St James passes, stands the Iglesia de San Miguel de Quiloño, a former monastery. The church preserves a pre-Romanesque inscription and relics, including one of the Apostle James. The Way of St James through Castrillón forms part of the Camino del Norte, which leads to Santiago de Compostela.
Recreation Areas and Regional Cuisine
The recreation areas also differ in their listed features. Área Recreativa Pinar de Salinas has a barbecue area, picnic tables and drinking water, and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Área Recreativa Pulide is at the highest point of the Sierra de Pulide; from there, the panoramic view stretches from the mountains to the coast. Its facilities include parking, barbecue areas, picnic tables, drinking-water fountains and a children’s play area.
Castrillón’s cuisine brings together produce from different landscapes: local gastronomy uses fresh fish and seafood from the fishing port of Avilés, as well as meat, fruit, vegetables and legumes from valleys and plains. Traditional dishes and drinks include fabada, pote asturiano, fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea, and sidra. Typical desserts include frisuelos, rice pudding, requesón and casadielles. Coastal produce and dishes made with ingredients from valleys and plains sit side by side, so the culinary scene is not limited to a single focus.
Discover more destinations: Naveces, La Braña, Piedras Blancas, Arnao, Ibias, Morcín, Nava, Comarca Vaqueira.
For the broader travel overview: Asturias.
