Asturias is well known for its great food, rolling meadows and affable inhabitants, but its lesser known pristine beaches and hidden coves are the icing on the cake. Just one example is Playa del Silencio which, as its name suggests, is a place where peace reigns in spectacular surroundings. Visitors will be invaded with an overwhelming sense of wellbeing.
Where is this paradise on Earth? You will find the beach close to the village of Castañeras, in the municipality of Cudillero, which has arguably one of the most stunning natural landscapes in the north of Spain.
Playa del Silencio: a corner of paradise in Cudillero
Getting to Playa del Silencio is no easy task, but it’s well worth the effort. In fact, the walk there is almost as worthwhile as visiting the beach itself. The surrounding natural landscape is charmingly unspoilt – the road is unsurfaced and the path is difficult to negotiate, but you will be far from disappointed when you get there. The fresh sea breeze will invigorate the senses, and the views of the beach are breathtaking.
If you have decided to take a trip to Playa del Silencio, you have likely seen photos of the picture-postcard setting. The cliff top is the perfect spot to capture that iconic photo of the sweeping beach with the rocks and cliffs jutting out into the sea, so don’t forget your phone! You can drive to the area, but will need to walk the last short stretch to the viewpoint to get the perfect shot. The contrast of the brown rocks and the inviting turquoise sea are worthy of a watercolour seascape and just scream to be shared on social media.
Pristine pebble beach and a protected landscape
The beach is narrow and not very long (barely 500 m), but it boasts a virgin landscape with no buildings in the vicinity, making it a true pleasure to visit. As well as having unenviable natural surroundings, the beach is highly interesting from a geological point of view – the rocks of the towering cliffs clearly reflect the erosion processes of the sea. It is hardly surprising that this beach forms part of a protected area of coastline belonging to IUCN category V.
This is a beach of smooth, round pebbles, and you won’t find any beach bars or amenities. However, the transparent waters (ideal for snorkelling and diving) will ensure you don’t miss the fine, golden sand of other beaches. Truth be told, the water is very, very cold, and you’ll need to get up some courage to take an invigorating dip, but the onshore views of this fabulous Asturian enclave will absolutely be worth it.
The isolated location of this beach means you need to go well prepared. You’ll want some sturdy closed sandals or beach shoes, and make sure you check the tides before you set out. You can find this information in the tide tables published on the official website of the Government of the Principality of Asturias. And don’t forget, Playa del Silencio has no toilets, bars or lifeguards. A wild and natural place, its main attraction is also its principal danger, so it is important to err on the side of caution when visiting.
What to see close to Playa del Silencio
Cudillero village
Cudillero is one of the closest villages to Playa del Silencio, and it is possibly one of the quaintest and most charming of all Asturias. You will find this picturesque village with its prettily coloured houses just over 15 kilometres from the beach.
Cudillero has always been a fishing village, and the catches that enter its harbour are snapped up by the local restaurants, allowing them to serve the freshest top-quality ingredients. At least three of the local beaches are blue flag beaches, situating them among the best beaches in Asturias: Playa de San Pedro de la Ribera, Playa de la Concha de Artedo, and Playa Campofrío y Aguilar.
The village’s lighthouse, located on the Punta Roballera promontory to the east of the harbour, is also well worth a visit. Its old lighting system, which consisted of bonfires lit by the wives of the fishermen, was replaced by an electric system in 1930.
Other places of interest
Make the most of your day by visiting some of the most emblematic points in the area around Playa del Silencio. Some of the most popular are: Playa de Gueirúa, the parish of Novellana, Cape Vidio and Cape Vidio lighthouse.
Spectacular rock formations, golden sandy beaches, green pastureland with the wistful scent of fresh grass, hospitable villages, exquisite cuisine and friendly locals all make for a true paradise on the Iberian Peninsula.
