You can see Cudillero in an afternoon. Two or three hours is enough to walk through the tunnel, head to Plaza de la Marina and climb up to the viewpoints. But sticking only to the village would be a mistake, because the best of the area is less than half an hour away by car: the cliffs of Cabo Vidio, Playa del Silencio, Luarca and Puerto de Vega. We spent two nights in Cudillero, and it was the perfect base to see everything without rushing.
We arrived on a Thursday in October, fresh off the plane from Valencia, with a rental car and a lot of excitement to finally see those colorful houses we had been looking at in photos for years. October has its perks: free parking, empty trails and restaurant tables without a fight.
In this post we tell you what to see in Cudillero and nearby, just as we experienced it, plus the activities you can book on GetYourGuide if you're going without a car or want to see the coast from a different angle.
📋 What you'll find in this post
How to get to Cudillero and where to park
The Cudillero viewpoints route at sunset
What else to see in Cudillero: the harbor, the lighthouse and the Palacio de Selgas
Cabo Vidio and the cliff trail
Playa del Silencio
Luarca and Puerto de Vega
GetYourGuide activities for Cudillero and the western coast
Where to stay and where to eat in Cudillero
Tips from Pedro and Karyna
Frequently asked questions
How to get to Cudillero and where to park
Cudillero looks best from the bottom up. That's why we parked down by the harbor. We paid €2.50 for the afternoon, and the next day, when we came back for dinner, it was already free: the season change happened right then. In August the story is different, and you usually have to leave the car up top and walk down.
From the harbor you enter through the pedestrian tunnel, about 300 meters carved into the rock. Underneath runs the Piñera River, channeled so it doesn't cut through the center of town. You cross it almost in the dark and suddenly come out into Plaza de la Marina, with the colorful houses clinging to the hillside, one on top of another, looking down at the harbor.
It's the photo everyone has of Cudillero. And yes, in person it's just as beautiful.
The Cudillero viewpoints route at sunset
We had a bite to eat in the square and waited for the sun to lower before doing the viewpoints route. It climbs through the village streets and at each stop offers a different view of the amphitheater of houses: Mirador del Pico, La Garita and La Atalaya.
The idea was to watch the sun set from above. In October it sets around 7:45 pm, so it's best to start climbing with some time to spare. There are some hills, but nothing you can't handle in regular sneakers.
We passed very few people. From up there you can see the lighthouse and the whole harbor, and that's when we understood why Cudillero is called the most beautiful village in Asturias. It was one of those moments when you put your phone away for a bit and just look.
What else to see in Cudillero: the harbor, the lighthouse and the Palacio de Selgas
The village is small and easy to explore on foot. A stroll is all the harbor needs, ideally late in the day when the boats come back. From the square itself a footpath leads to the Cudillero lighthouse, the same one we had been looking at from the viewpoints.
Locals are called pixuetos, and Cudillero is declared a Historic-Artistic Ensemble. There's a legend that says it was founded by the Vikings. No one has proven it, but it makes a good story to tell over a glass of cider.
What we didn't have time to see was the Palacio de Selgas, in El Pito, a couple of kilometers away. They call it the Asturian Versailles: a 19th-century palace with gardens and an art collection featuring works by Goya and El Greco. It only opens during certain seasons and with changing hours, so check its website before you go. It goes on the list for next time.
Cabo Vidio and the cliff trail
The second day we devoted entirely to the western coast, starting with Cabo Vidio, about 10 kilometers from Cudillero. The lighthouse sits on the Cantabrian Sea above cliffs of nearly 90 meters, and from there a trail follows the coastline.
We parked right where the cliffs begin and walked the rest. We stopped every few meters. It's one of those places where the scenery won't let you move forward, and the photos say it better than we can.
Below the cape is La Iglesiona, a natural sea cave more than 60 meters high carved by the ocean. And following the trail west you reach Mirador del Sablón, which many people know as the bench with the best views in the world.
A warning: bring a windbreaker even if it's sunny. It gets windy up there.
Playa del Silencio
From Cabo Vidio we went to Playa del Silencio, which is probably the most famous cove in Asturias. It's next to Castañeras: you leave the car at the end of a dirt track and walk down a path and a staircase.
It's a stone shell enclosed by cliffs, with little islets out front and water that is almost always calm. That's where the name comes from. Because it was the end of the season it was empty, and we could enjoy it in complete peace, something that's nearly impossible in summer.
Check the tide before you head down. At high tide there's very little beach left to walk on. If you have time to spare, Playa de Gueirúa is very close and is also one of the most photographed beaches in the area.
Luarca and Puerto de Vega
We continued along the coast to Luarca, about 45 minutes from Cudillero. Before arriving we stopped for a chuletón steak. Honestly, we didn't love it, but we had to try. Afterwards we strolled around the harbor, crossed the bridge and climbed up to the cemetery. It sounds strange, but it has one of the best views in town, with the harbor and the sea right below you.
We ended the afternoon in Puerto de Vega, a quiet fishing village, the kind of place where you feel like sitting down with a cider and doing nothing else. In 1995 it received the Exemplary Village of Asturias award, and you understand why as soon as you spend some time walking around the harbor.
On the way back we had dinner at Asador Coriu, now back in Cudillero. It was the best meal of the whole trip. That said, plan your budget well: it's not a cheap place.
GetYourGuide activities for Cudillero and the western coast
If you're driving, everything we've described can easily be done on your own. But if you don't want to drive, or you're based in Oviedo or Gijón, GetYourGuide has several tours that cover this exact area. Almost all of them offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which is really appreciated in Asturias, where the weather changes so quickly.
The most complete and best-reviewed option is the day trip from Gijón to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés. It takes about 9 hours, departs at 9:00, has a rating of 4.7 with more than 100 reviews and costs from €42 per person. It includes a guided visit to Luarca and Cudillero, a stop at the Ermita de la Regalina and free time for lunch in Cudillero.
👉 Day trip to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés from Gijón (from €42, 4.7/5)
There's an almost identical version departing from Oviedo, lasting about 10 hours, with more than 200 reviews and also a 4.7 rating.
👉 Day trip to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés from Oviedo
If you prefer a small group and something a bit shorter, there's a tour of about 5 hours from Oviedo that combines Cudillero, Avilés and the Cabo Peñas Lighthouse. And if you have only one day and want mountains and sea at the same time, there's a new excursion from Oviedo and Gijón that combines the Lagos de Covadonga, Cudillero and the Ermita de la Regalina in about 12 hours. It's a long day, but for those short on time it can be worth it.
👉 See all activities in Cudillero
A detail we noticed in several reviews: some travelers wish they had more time in Luarca and feel Avilés takes up too much of the day. If you're looking for a fishing village, keep that in mind.
And outside GetYourGuide there's an option we really wanted to try: seeing Cabo Vidio and Playa del Silencio from the sea. Cudillero Aventura leaves from the village harbor with boat trips to the Cabo Vidio cliffs (1 h 20 min, €35), to Playa del Silencio and Gueirúa (1 h 50 min, €49) or all the way to Luarca and Puerto de Vega (about 4 hours, €90). They depend heavily on sea conditions, so book well in advance and be aware they may be cancelled.
👉 Boat trips from Cudillero with Cudillero Aventura
Where to stay and where to eat in Cudillero
We stayed two nights at La Casina de Punticiella (Villas de Llanorrozo), a country house about two kilometers from the village. On the first day, tired from the trip, instead of eating out we went to the supermarket and had dinner there with a TV show on. We highly recommend it: peaceful, beautiful and perfect for getting around the western coast.
👉 See La Casina de Punticiella on Booking
For food, Asador Coriu was our clear favorite. We also had Casa Miguel saved, a village restaurant and guesthouse that was recommended to us, although in the end we never made it. And if you're on a tight budget, Plaza de la Marina has terraces where you can grab a bite with views of the harbor.
💡 Tips from Pedro and Karyna
🚗 Rental car The western coast is only half covered without a car. We booked ours at Asturias airport with the app QEEQ, and with our code IMES8 you get 8% off. From the airport to Cudillero it's about 30 minutes.
🅿️ Parking in Cudillero Outside of peak season, down at the harbor and hassle-free (€2.50 for the afternoon, free once the season changes). In summer, if the lower lot is full, park up top and walk down. Going up is harder than going down, so think about the return trip.
🌅 Viewpoints Do the route at sunset and start climbing with half an hour to spare. In October the sun sets around 7:45 pm; in summer it's considerably later.
🌊 Playa del Silencio Check the tide table before you go. At high tide there's barely any beach left. Wear comfortable shoes for the descent.
🧥 Cabo Vidio Always bring a windbreaker, even if it's sunny below. And don't go close to the cliff edge for photos: there are no fences in many stretches.
🎟️ Tours If you're going without a car, the tour from Gijón or Oviedo to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés covers the essentials for about €42. Book with free cancellation in case the weather turns.
🍽️ Opening hours Many kitchens close at 4:00 pm, and plenty of restaurants close on weekdays outside of peak season. If you have a specific place in mind, call ahead.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What to see in Cudillero in one day? Plaza de la Marina, the harbor, the viewpoints route and the lighthouse can all be seen in an afternoon. With a full day you can also add Cabo Vidio and Playa del Silencio, which are 15-20 minutes away by car.
Where to park in Cudillero? In the harbor parking lot, down below. Outside of peak season there's usually space and sometimes it's free. In summer, the alternative is to park up top and walk down.
How do I get to Cudillero from Oviedo? By car it's about 50 kilometers, less than an hour on the motorway. Without a car, the easiest option is an organized tour from Oviedo, or the Alsa bus.
Why is Cudillero famous? For its colorful houses arranged like an amphitheater above the harbor. It is declared a Historic-Artistic Ensemble and is one of the most photographed fishing villages in Spain.
What to see near Cudillero? Cabo Vidio, Playa del Silencio, Playa de Gueirúa, the Palacio de Selgas, Luarca and Puerto de Vega. All within an hour's drive.
What to eat in Cudillero? Fish and shellfish of the day. The village's typical dish is curadillo, a dried fish prepared only here. We had dinner at Asador Coriu and it was the best of the trip.
Have you been to Cudillero? Did you take the boat trip or any tour along the western coast? Tell us in the comments 👇
