Part 4

Part 4 - The regions of Cantabria & Asturia

Day 9 - Road trip through Cantabria

Time of the year: beginning of June

Santillana del Mar, located in Cantabria, is famously known as “the town of three lies” because it is not saintly (santa), not flat (llana), nor by the sea (mar)—yet it is one of Spain’s most beautifully preserved medieval villages, rich in history, art, and tradition.

The town feels like a living museum, with cobblestone streets, stone manor houses, flower-decked balconies, and Romanesque churches—all largely unchanged since the 15th century.

The town is famous for its Cantabrian cheeses, sobao pasiego, and handcrafted goods, often sold from traditional shops in restored stone houses.

Mirador del acantilado El Bolao

Playa de Luaña

Mirador el Remedio

Comillas is a picturesque coastal town in Cantabria, known for its elegant architecture, noble heritage, and rare concentration of Catalan Modernism (Art Nouveau) far from Barcelona. With stunning beaches, palaces, and one of Gaudí’s earliest masterpieces, Comillas blends seaside beauty with architectural

One of the few buildings outside Catalonia designed by Antoni Gaudí, El Capricho is a whimsical summer villa featuring colorful ceramic tiles, iron sunflowers, and curved lines.

Antiguo Seminario Mayor Comillas

The road was continued through San Vicente de la Barquera.

La Iglesia Nuestra Sra. de los Angeles

La Puerta del Poder - The Gate of Power

Playa de Barnejo-Berrellín

Day 10 - Road trip through Asturia

Time of the year: beginning of June

Llanes is a vibrant medieval fishing town on the Asturian coast, known for its historic old quarter, dramatic beaches, and lively atmosphere, Llanes blends seaside beauty, local culture, and outdoor adventure like few places in Spain.

The town’s breakwater is decorated with the “Cubes of Memory” (Cubos de la Memoria), a colorful public art installation by Basque artist Agustín Ibarrola, blending natural elements with contemporary symbolism.

Bufones de Pria & Playa de Guadamia

The Bufones are vertical blowholes formed in limestone cliffs. When waves crash into the sea caves below, pressurized air and seawater shoot up through the holes—sometimes reaching heights of 20 meters.

When conditions are right (especially during high tide or storms), you can hear the bufones roaring like thunder or even like a dragon breathing—it’s eerie and amazing. Locals sometimes say the bufones sound like the "spirits of the sea" or giants trapped underground—adding a mythical layer to the already magical landscape.

Ribadesella is a colorful coastal town where the River Sella meets the Cantabrian Sea. The historic quarter has colorful houses, lively sidrerías (cider bars), and an atmosphere that mixes fishing village vibes with noble elegance.

I don't usually recommend restaurants, but when i do it's Meson El Labrador in Ribadesella.

Playa la Vega

Playa de Rodiles

The fisher's Village of Tazones - a personal highlight: with a mix of royal history and maritime charm, it's one of Spain’s official “Most Beautiful Villages” (Pueblos Más Bonitos de España).

local legends

Tazones is famous for its seafood, especially grilled fish, clams, and percebes (goose barnacles). The harbor is lined with cozy, authentic restaurants.

Day 11 - City break in Oviedo &

Time of the year: beginning of June

View from the acommodation in Barco Luna

Oviedo’s old town boasts incredible Romanesque and Gothic architecture, including the Cathedral of San Salvador, a key stop on the Northern Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

The city is famous for its sidrerías (cider houses) and vibrant culinary scene, offering traditional dishes like fabada asturiana and Cachopo, a hearty meat specialty.