Yzabelle Bostyn
THE Guardian has recommended a beautiful fishing village in Asturias for the perfect summer escape.
While the summer of anti-tourism discontent comes to an end, one Asturian village has been happily welcoming visitors all season.
The quiet fishing village of Luarca, is an oasis just an hour from Oviedo.
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A verdant beach town flanked by green hills, the white houses of Luarca crowd around the picturesque harbour.
Unlike most traditional holiday spots, the coastal restaurants are actually the best in town.
Check out La Montañesa del Muelle, El Barómetro and La Perla Negra for fresh, delicious and reasonably priced food.
A great spot for people watching, the harbour is bustling with colourful fishing boats, cute gift shops and cafes.
The Guardian even described the slow, unpretentious spot as the ‘anti-Ibiza’.
Less than 5,000 people live in the area and they welcome each and every visitor.
Many of them are pilgrims undertaking the famous Camino de Santiago and locals love discovering what the walk means to them.
Home to a ‘surprising depth’, the town has touches of culture everywhere, from book exchanges, photography exhibitions and literary quotes.
The coastal enclave has produced a surprising number of intellectuals and artists, from Nobel prize-winning scientist, Severo Ochoa, to Academy Award winner, Gil Parrondo Rico.
Luarca is the capital of the protected coastal region of Valdes, home to ‘some of the nicest beaches in Asturias’.
Top choices include Cueva, Portizuelo, Otur and Barayo, a verdant nature reserve.
Great for an active holiday, you can surf or kayak off the coast or if you prefer, spend days walking the cliffs, waterfalls and forests.
Other attractions include the Parque de la Vida science museum, the Fonte Baixa botanical garden and the Giant Squid Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of preserved specimens.
If you like a good view, take a stroll around the botanical garden before having an afternoon tipple at the Miramar restaurant’s rooftop bar.
There, you can enjoy some of the region’s famous cider, traditionally poured from above the head to a glass at hip height.
For dinner, test out the local seafood or traditional stew recipes at La Galga.
Then, the next morning, visit Pastelaria Cabo Busto for the ‘best pastries in Asturias’ near a popular walking spot, Cape Busto.
As you can tell, Luarca’s economy revolves around food, so if you’re after a relaxing beach holiday fuelled by quality dishes and the occasional stroll in nature, head north.
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