A day in Asturias between gardens, sea and sunsets: from Las Mimosas del Nalón to Luarca and La Regalina
There are days that begin with the aroma of coffee and end with the soft sound of a shared dinner. Days in which Asturias is not visited in a hurry, but is felt little by little: in the vibrant green of a garden, in the deep blue of the Cantabrian Sea, at a table by the port, on a road that invites you to improvise. From Las Mimosas del Nalón, we propose a new getaway to nourish the senses: a route towards the west of Asturias with a stop in the Forest-Garden of La Fonte Baxa, a walk and lunch in Luarca, a visit to the lighthouse of San Agustín, the option of discovering Puerto de Vega, a return trip via the viewpoint of La Regalina and a final dinner in Las Malvinas, in San Juan de la Arena. A plan to enjoy without rushing. To leave room for astonishment. To remember that, many times, the best part of a trip happens when it was not planned. Waking up in Las Mimosas del Nalón: the prelude to an unforgettable day The day begins at home. Because that is what Las Mimosas del Nalón is: your home in Asturias. Before leaving, we suggest you start with a good breakfast. Without looking too much at the clock. With the smell of freshly brewed coffee that fills the room, the crusty bread on the table and that calm that only appears when you know that the day is promising. The soft light of the Asturian morning filters through the window, inviting you to savour every moment. From San Juan de la Arena, our accommodation is the perfect place to move around Asturias: near the sea, next to the river Nalón, surrounded by nature and with that feeling of refuge that you want to find on your return. Today the route looks towards the west. Towards gardens overlooking the sea, dazzling white villages, lighthouses guarding infinite horizons, maritime ports that smell of salt and viewpoints where the Bay of Biscay seems to embrace the sky. First stop: La Fonte Baxa Forest-Garden, an oasis for the soul Our first recommendation is one of those places that surprise even those who think they know Asturias: the La Fonte Baxa Forest-Garden, in Luarca. Here nature is not contemplated from the outside. You walk through it. You breathe deeply, feeling the pure, fresh air. You can hear the wind rustling through the leaves and the birds singing. The Fonte Baxa is a garden full of winding paths, exotic and native plant species, ornamental corners that invite introspection, benches strategically placed for contemplation and viewpoints that offer spectacular views of the sea. It is a place to walk slowly, to let the intense green of the vegetation have its effect on the spirit and to feel how the body slows down, connecting with the earth. It is a perfect walk to start the day with your senses awake: the smell of damp earth and the blooming of camellias and rhododendrons, the soft touch of the leaves, the constant rustle of the trees, the light filtering through the branches creating shadows and, in the background, the immense and calming presence of the sea. Our advice: check timetables before you go and allow plenty of time to wander around unhurriedly. This is not a place to cross off a list. It is a place to lose yourself a little and let yourself be enveloped by its magic. Luarca: a stroll through the Villa Blanca, where the sea whispers stories After the garden, it is time to visit Luarca, one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Asturias. White, elegant, luminous. Luarca opens up to the sea with its vibrant port, its staggered houses that seem to defy gravity, its narrow streets impregnated with a seafaring flavour and that air of a quiet village that invites you to stroll aimlessly. The white of its facades, which gives it the nickname of «Villa Blanca», shines under the Asturian sun, creating a hypnotic contrast with the blue of the sky and the green of the cliffs. You can approach the port and watch the boats come and go, feel the sea breeze on your face, walk along the cobbled streets, stop on a terrace to enjoy the local life or just sit and watch the slow movement of the day. Luarca is known as the White Village of the Costa Verde, and its intimate relationship with the sea, its lively port and its strategic viewpoints are an essential part of its undeniable charm. Here it is worth remembering a simple rule: don't want to see everything. Look less, feel more. Let the atmosphere envelop you, let the sounds of the harbour rock you and let the scent of the sea permeate you. Lunch at El Ancla, a feast for the palate facing the Bay of Biscay For lunch, our recommendation is El Ancla de Luarca, located on the quay, with privileged views of the sea and a gastronomic proposal based on fresh produce and traditional Asturian cuisine. The sound of the seagulls and the gentle swaying of the boats will accompany your culinary experience. After the walk, sitting near the port is almost a necessity. The body asks for authentic flavour, flowing conversation, calm and the unmistakable backdrop of the sea. Freshly caught fish, carefully prepared seasonal dishes, a good table and that harbour atmosphere that makes the meal an unforgettable part of the journey. Don't be in a hurry to finish. The after-dinner conversation, with the taste of coffee and quiet conversation, is also an essential part of the route. Visit to the San Agustín lighthouse: the infinite gaze of the guardian of the sea After lunch, we continue on to the San Agustín lighthouse in Ortiguera. There is something special about lighthouses. Perhaps because they always look to the horizon, defying the immensity. Perhaps because they seem to remind us that, even on the foggiest of days, there are luminous signs to guide us. The San Agustín lighthouse rises majestically over the western coast of Asturias, a white spot between the intense green of the meadows and the changing blue of the sea. It is an ideal stop to breathe in the pure, salty air,
A day in Asturias to feed the senses: from Las Mimosas del Nalón to Cudillero, Playa del Silencio, and Cabo Vidio
There are days that are not measured in hours. They are measured in aromas, in landscapes, in unhurried after-dinner conversations, in the saltpetre on your skin and in that Asturian feeling of being exactly where you wanted to be. From Las Mimosas del Nalón, in San Juan de la Arena, we propose a one-day getaway to experience Asturias calmly. Without rushing. Without wanting to see everything. Leaving space to stop, look, breathe... and improvise. Because Asturias is not conquered with a list. Asturias can be savoured. Waking up slowly in Las Mimosas del Nalón The day begins as beautiful days should begin: without emotional alarm. You open the window and the northern air comes in. That clean air that smells of green, of river, of the nearby sea. At Las Mimosas del Nalón, breakfast is not only the first moment of the day: it is an invitation to slow down. Freshly baked bread, hot coffee, quiet conversation and that soft light of Asturias that seems to ask you one simple thing: don't be in a hurry. Here begins our personal proposal to enjoy Asturias in one day. A plan for couples, families, friends or travellers who really want to feel the north. First stop: Cudillero, the village that seems to be painted on the sea After breakfast, we set off for Cudillero, one of those fishing villages that you will never forget. From the viewpoint of La Garita, Cudillero opens up before our eyes like an amphitheatre of colours. Its brightly coloured houses climb up the hillside as if they all wanted to look out over the port, creating a visual cascade that contrasts with the deep blue of the Bay of Biscay. As you walk down its narrow cobbled streets, the air is filled with an unmistakable mixture: the smell of saltpetre, old wood and fresh fish just arrived in port. We recommend parking in the harbour to make the return trip a little easier. The narrow streets invite you to get lost. At every corner, the sound of an old door, the murmur of the waves or the lively voices on the terraces of the Plaza de la Marina envelop you. And the viewpoints offer that postcard that every traveller will remember: the Bay of Biscay in the background and the soul of the town pulsing in every corner. Our recommendation: don't arrive with a closed plan. Go for a walk. Go up to a viewpoint and feel the breeze on your face. Go down to the port. Go into its little shops. Look without buying anything... or buy something to remind you of this day when you return home. Shops and crafts in Cudillero To take home a souvenir with a soul, we recommend you look for local crafts, seafaring details, ceramics, jewellery or decoration inspired by Asturias. An interesting stop is Cerámica Negra de Cudillero - Alfar del Zarru, linked to the tradition of Asturian black clay. You can also visit gift and craft shops such as Arte y Mar, in Plaza de San Pedro, which specialises in typical Asturian articles, souvenirs and crafts. One of the most complete shops is Julieta and Arte y Mar. And remember: the best souvenir is not always an object. Sometimes it is a conversation, an unposed photo or the sound of the seagulls over the port. Eating in front of the sea at Casa Miguel, La Concha de Artedo beach After Cudillero, the body begins to ask for a table, a tablecloth and the sea. Our suggestion is to eat at Casa Miguel, next to La Concha de Artedo beach, in Lamuño, Cudillero. A perfect place to extend the morning with a taste of the Asturian coast. Best to book, from their website or by calling +34 664618012. Here the plan is simple: sit down, look at the sea and let the food do its part. Fish, rice dishes, Cantabrian products, quiet after-dinner conversation and the pleasure of eating without looking at the clock. A stroll along the beach in peace and quiet. Because this is what travelling is also about: bread on the table, the sound of the waves nearby, a glass raised and the certainty that there is no need to add much more. Afternoon of silence on the Playa del Silencio After lunch, we continue towards one of the most exciting landscapes of the Asturian coast: the Playa del Silencio. Its name says it all. It is not a beach to arrive, take a photo and leave. It is a place to stay still. As you walk down the path, the immensity of the cliffs that protect it makes you feel small, but at the same time free. There is no sand here, only pebbles, and the sound of the sea caressing the rocks creates a natural symphony, relaxing and comforting. The water, of a crystalline emerald colour, contrasts with the rugged rock and wild vegetation. It is an almost virgin spot where the wind whispers through the crevices and the sea imposes its rhythm. To look at the cliffs. To feel that mixture of wild beauty and deep peace that only Asturias knows how to give. Go down calmly if the conditions allow it. Wear comfortable shoes. And, above all, let the landscape do the talking. If the tide is high, it is worth seeing it from the viewpoint alone. There are places to visit. Playa del Silencio can be heard. Sunset at Cabo Vidio As the day begins to end, one of the most special moments of this route arrives: the sunset at Cabo Vidio. Situated on the edge of cliffs almost 100 metres high, the Cabo Vidio lighthouse is a natural balcony overlooking infinity. The sky turns golden, tinging the seascape with orange and reddish tones that are reflected in the waves. The sea changes colour. The cliffs seem to light up from within. The wind blows strongly, bringing with it the pure scent of the ocean, and the roar of the Bay of Biscay crashing against the rock shakes you and fills you with energy. And suddenly you understand why there are places that need no explanation. Cabo Vidio is the perfect place to end the day calmly, sitting in