Once an important whaling port, Luanco is a Spanish fishing village overlooking the Bay of Biscay. Its historic core features centuries-old churches and residences while its two beaches are lapped by the waters of the Cantabrian Sea.
Spend your days relaxing on Playa de Luanco or Playa de la Ribera, the latter of which is backed by a seawall lined with restaurants and bars. Between the two is the Iglesia de Santa María, a 1730-built stone church with a square-shaped bell tower. While the exterior is relatively sombre, the interior is lavishly decorated with gilded altarpieces.
A short walk from Playa de la Ribera is the Museo Marítimo de Asturias, which explores the region’s marine biology, boatbuilding and fishing industries. Learn about Asturias’ links to the Spanish Navy and the canning industry that once thrived in Cabo Peñas, then see animals that have inhabited the Cantabrian Sea since prehistoric times.
Getting there
Luanco is a 25-minute drive from Gijon and 35 minutes from Oviedo. Asturias Airport is 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Spain. Buses connect to Luanco from towns throughout Asturias and the village is compact enough to explore on foot.