Playa del Silencio
The name undersells it slightly, but the steep stairs down keep this cliff-backed cove as quiet as it deserves to be.
Rock formations and cliffs frame a small stretch of sand below, with the climb back up doing a good job of thinning the crowd.
At a Glance
- — limited mobility
- — you need easy access
- — crowds put you off the climb
Framed by steep, dramatic cliffs and scattered rock formations, this crescent of sand is kept quiet by a long, demanding staircase. The climb back up is enough to deter the crowds, ensuring that the beach lives up to its name even in the middle of summer. It is a rugged, solitary place, best enjoyed when the tide is low enough to reveal the full stretch of stone.
How it got here
Cudillero grew from a modest fishing settlement into a vital hub for the export of Atlantic goods. The town owes its layout to the natural protection provided by the surrounding cliffs which allowed mariners to weather the fierce Bay of Biscay storms. This maritime tradition defined the economy of the coastline for centuries. While the surrounding beaches once served as landing sites for small vessels or collection points for maritime trade, the rugged topography prevented the dense development seen in other ports. The quietude of the coastline persists today because the landscape resisted industrial expansion, keeping the rural character of the Asturian coast largely intact despite shifting economic cycles.
Where it sits
The beach sits at the end of a long path that cuts through the verdant scrubland typical of Western Asturias. Sharp, dark stone forms the cliffs that shield the shore from prevailing winds. Visitors reach the sand by walking down a staircase built into the mountainside. The tides dictate the character of the shore, as the Atlantic waters cover the entirety of the stone surface at high tide. Winter rains turn the surrounding slopes into dense greenery, while the summer heat draws locals to the coast to find relief from the humidity of the valleys.
What to eat and drink
Asturian cuisine relies on the products of the sea and the mountain pastures. Order caldereta de pescado, a hearty stew of whatever fish the local boats brought in, simmered with potatoes and paprika. The province is famous for fabada asturiana, a slow-cooked dish of white faba beans, chorizo, morcilla, and tocino. Pair these heavy meals with sidra natural, the dry, tart apple cider poured from a height to aerate the liquid. For dessert, look for arroz con leche, a creamy, cinnamon-dusted rice pudding that ends the meal with the sweetness of local dairy.
Asturias: the whole region
Asturias fits a whole coast, a mountain range and a serious kitchen into a province you can cross in two hours. Cider poured from a height, blue cheese, working fishing ports, and the Picos de Europa standing over all of it. It rains often…
Minimum 4 days · better 7 days · deep 10-12 days
In Asturias
In Asturias
In Asturias
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Experiences worth booking ahead
- José Cuervo Tequila Day Experience from Guadalajara4.8 (138)8 hrsFrom €120
- Day trip to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés from Oviedo and Gijón4.6 (77)10 hrsFrom €25
- One day tour CUDILLERO Vidio Cape Cathedrals Beach Luarca4.9 (7)6 hrsFrom €510
- Full-Day Cudillero and Luarca Private Tour from Gijon4.8 (6)6.5 hrsFrom €1370
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