At the Acantilados de Tereñes, the tides determine when the dinosaur tracks are accessible: they can only be visited at low tide. Check local conditions before your visit. The site includes four parallel trackways made by ornithopods, one theropod track and a stegosaur track with hand and foot impressions. Here, you can encounter several distinct types of trackway, from parallel paths to the characteristic impressions of the stegosaur track.

Cave Art and Prehistory

The Cueva de Tito Bustillo also takes you far back in time: it is home to one of the most significant complexes of Palaeolithic cave art in Europe. Depictions of horses and reindeer dating from between 22,000 and 10,000 BC have been preserved. The Centro de Arte Rupestre de Tito Bustillo provides a broader perspective, offering an overview of Asturian prehistory. The cave and the centre thus offer two different perspectives: specific animal depictions and an overview of the prehistory of Asturias.

Coast and Protected Landscape

Playa de Santa Marina is Ribadesella’s main town beach and is 1,200 metres long. There are several surf schools in the area offering lessons; check their availability for your travel dates. Seasonal offerings may change. This lets you combine a visit to the beach with a specific activity, so the coast is not just somewhere to swim.

The Entrepeñes y Playa de Vega Natural Monument encompasses a gorge and a natural beach. The landscape at Playa de Vega also includes a small, valuable dune system. A wooden boardwalk makes it possible to explore the area. As the facilities may be undergoing maintenance, it is worth checking the current condition of the path before your visit.

At the Acantilados del Infiernu, a path leads from the recreation area with tables and benches along the edge of the cliffs. The Acantilados del Infiernu route runs partly through the Natura 2000 ZEC and ZEPA site Ría de Ribadesella – Ría de Tinamayor. Conditions on the cliff path may change following weather events. This excursion thus combines a developed recreation area with a route through a designated protected area.

Trails and Distinctive Local Landscapes

The Ribadesella–La Espasa section of the Camino de Santiago crosses the town, goes over the bridge over the Sella and then follows the left bank of the estuary to Playa de Santa Marina. Another section, Nueva–Ribadesella, passes through Cuerres and then reaches Ribadesella via El Portiello. The sequence of places distinguishes the two routes; check current trail conditions before setting out. The Ascensión al Mofrechu hiking route is listed as 16.80 kilometres long. Conditions on this route may also vary.

Another notable landmark is the Ermita de la Virgen de Guía, which stands on Monte Corberu above Ribadesella. The Cuevona de Cueves provides access to the village of Cueves through a natural cave. Along the cave’s approximately 300-metre length, you can see calcareous formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone. If you plan to visit the Cuevona, check local vehicle restrictions.

Cider, Cuisine and Event Planning

The Folixa de la Sidra programme includes competitions in pouring cider and a public tasting of homemade cider. Dates for this recurring event vary. Dishes highlighted in Ribadesella include Calderetas, made with rockfish such as sargos, red mullet, gobitos, xulies or durdos. The Descenso en Piragua del Río Sella ends at a bridge in Ribadesella and takes place on the first Saturday in August each year. It is worth checking the dates for the relevant year when planning your trip.

Practical Information

Ribadesella can be reached via the A-8 motorway and the N-632 road. Check the current road layout and access points before travelling. The Oficina de Información Turística de Ribadesella provides promotional materials and detailed maps to help plan your stay; check its opening arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: El Carmen, Tereñes, Onís, Quirós, Aller, Valdés, Campiellos, Cabo Peñas

For the broader travel overview: Asturias.