Those choosing Llanes as a destination can focus on the town’s history, art around the harbour and the coastal landscape in different ways. The Old Town offers tangible links to medieval history and later periods of construction; the promenade, beach and coastal paths reveal other sides of the town. When planning, consider whether you would like to focus more on buildings and cultural attractions or on a coastal route. This allows you to choose specific themes rather than combining them into a fixed itinerary.
Old Town and architectural history
The Old Town of Llanes is designated a Historic-Artistic Ensemble (Conjunto HistĂłrico-ArtĂstico). Around 300 metres of the 13th-century town wall remain. The TorreĂłn de Llanes, a defensive tower connected to the wall, dates from the same period. These details highlight different aspects: a surviving section of the fortifications and a single tower associated with them. The BasĂlica de Santa MarĂa del Concejo is also one of the town’s historic buildings, dating from between the 13th and 15th centuries.
The Palacio de Gastañaga in Llanes is one of the few palaces in Asturias with a surviving medieval floor plan. It stands at the intersection of Calle Mayor and Plaza de Santa Ana and is among Llanes’s cultural assets designated as Bienes de Interés Cultural. Another architectural landmark is the Casino de Llanes, built in the early 20th century and reflecting the French architectural influence of the time. Since 2006, it has been designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category within the municipality of Llanes.
The history of the Villa de Llanes also dates back to the early 13th century: under the rule of Alfonso IX, it received the Fuero de Independencia. Llanes thus brings together various historical themes, from medieval fortifications and the layout of a palace to the architectural influence of the early 20th century.
Art and cultural discoveries
Los Cubos de la Memoria is a public art installation by AgustĂn Ibarrola on the concrete blocks of the harbour breakwater. Its shapes and colours change with the light and water. Alongside the historic buildings, it offers an artistic attraction whose appearance varies with these conditions.
The Llanes de cine walking tour visits filming locations associated with more than 42 scenes from 18 feature films, three television series and one short film. The visit can include up to 25 of these locations; access to individual filming sites may vary. A replica of Llanes’s first train is also available for a sightseeing ride through the town. Operating conditions may change. If you plan to take the ride, check its availability in advance.
Beach, promenade and coastal paths
Playa del SablĂłn is the main beach in the town of Llanes. It has fine sand, calm water and a central location in the town. The accessible route reaches the sand. An adapted bathing service with an amphibious wheelchair is available for visitors with reduced mobility; it depends on sea conditions. Before your trip, check again whether the service will be available under the conditions at the time.
For a coastal walk, Paseo de San Pedro offers a different perspective on Llanes. This landscaped promenade, which has been in place since 1847, runs along the cliffs and offers views of Llanes, the coast and the Sierra del Cuera. Section III of the Senda Costera starts there. It runs from Llanes towards Celorio for approximately five kilometres; check the route conditions before setting out.
This section is distinct from the Senda Costera de Llanes as a whole. The route from Bustio to Playa de GuadamĂa covers approximately 65 kilometres along the coast of Llanes and is divided into five sections. Its final section passes Playa de TorĂł and Playa de Puerto Chico, with its viewpoint, before heading into Llanes. The approximately five kilometres of Section III and the roughly 65 kilometres of the full route therefore refer to different scales. When planning, you can choose between a single stage and the longer coastal route.
Other nearby attractions
The area around Llanes also offers cultural and scenic landmarks. The Complejo de Cobijeru is designated a Natural Monument and is of considerable landscape and geological value. It lies a few kilometres from Buelna. Nearby, the Museo del Oriente de Asturias in PorrĂşa uses objects and photographs to portray traditional rural life and work. Its exhibits include crafts, clothing, and cheese and butter production. These themes broaden the picture of the town to include rural ways of life and work as well as geological features.
Your choice may therefore depend on your interests: architectural history and art in Llanes, the beach and promenade, or a section of the coastal route. If you plan to walk a route, pay attention to local conditions; the adapted bathing service depends on sea conditions.
Discover more destinations: Parres De Llanes, Niembru, PurĂłn, Villahormes, Nueva De Llanes, Ardisana, Turanzas, Vidiago.
For the main travel overview: Llanes.
