Ceramic murals in Ribadesella tell the story from prehistory to modern times; dinosaur tracks take centre stage on the cliffs of Tereñes. There is also cave art, an urban wetland, a river landscape, a valley with old mills and Playa Santa Marina. When planning your trip, it is worth first considering which of these sides of the town interests you most.

Murals, cave art and traces of prehistoric times

The Ruta Histórica del Puerto is an open-air museum with six ceramic murals. They depict local history from prehistory to modern times and run along the Paseo de la Grúa. The route also offers information in Braille and audio resources. As well as the murals, there are other ways to explore the history, which spans several eras.

The Cueva de Tito Bustillo is located in the Ardines karst massif in Ribadesella. More than 100 engraved and painted depictions are divided into eleven groups. The Centro de Arte Rupestre Tito Bustillo complements the cave with a permanent exhibition on its discovery, geological significance, inhabitants and cave art. Individual displays may change. Unlike the murals of the Ruta Histórica, the focus here is on art inside the cave.

The cliffs of Tereñes feature parallel tracks made by ornithopods, a theropod track and a stegosaur track with hand and footprints. The cliffs are home to one of Ribadesella’s most significant Jurassic sites for dinosaur footprints. Unlike the depictions in the Cueva de Tito Bustillo, these are tracks in the rock. Important for your visit: the access path is passable only at low tide. Plan around the tide and check local conditions in advance.

Cave formations and landscapes

Cuevona de Cueves is a natural cave about 300 metres long, with stalactites, stalagmites and sinter formations. At the same time, the access road to the village of Cueves passes through the cave. This brings together a geological feature and a practical road connection. Cuevona is therefore different in character from the cave art of Cueva de Tito Bustillo: the focus at Cuevona is on natural formations.

Parque del Malecón is an urban wetland. A public path runs through the marshland, with observation points for watching migratory and other birds. The La Mediana route takes you through a different landscape: a broad floodplain formed by the Sella, with scrubland and reed beds. These areas provide habitat for many migratory birds. You can therefore distinguish between a wetland with observation points and a river landscape with its different vegetation zones.

The Ruta de los Molinos has a character of its own. It follows a stream through a narrow, densely vegetated valley with old grain mills. Most of the mills are ruins; the last one is called Molino de Francisco. If you are interested in how the landscape was used in the past, you will find not only the valley and its vegetation here, but also the remaining mills as tangible traces of history.

Plan your coastal visit and journey

Playa Santa Marina is an expansive beach with fine sand and a promenade. Water sports are available there, especially surfing. Beach services may vary seasonally, so take this into account when planning your visit.

By car, Ribadesella can be reached via the A-8 and exits 326 Ribadesella oeste Pando-Bones and 319 Ribadesella-Llovio. The N-634 from Oviedo and the N-632 from Gijón also lead there. Check current navigation for your specific journey. By rail, RENFE connects Ribadesella via a narrow-gauge railway on the Oviedo–Santander route. Check the timetable before travelling so you can plan your arrival around the service.

Discover more destinations: Ardines, Camango, Sardalla, Alea, Sardedo, Prieres, Loujedo, Celada.

Return to the main travel overview: Asturias.