Ribadesella and Llanes named National Geographic's best Asturian getaway for 2026: "Pure hedonism"

National Geographic has named the Asturian towns of Ribadesella and Llanes the best destination in the region for its 2026 guide to weekend escapes across Spain.

"Pure hedonism unfolds" along this stretch of the Cantabrian coast, the magazine writes, where virgin beaches, honest fishing villages and a backdrop of mountains define the landscape.

The route between the Sella estuary and the medieval towers of Llanes offers what the publication describes as the "greatest concentration of coastal beauty in the whole of Asturias."

In early 2026, National Geographic published a feature titled 'The best getaways in Spain for 2026', selecting 42 different trips across the country. While Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa took the top spot overall, the highest-ranked Asturian destination was a journey that links Ribadesella and Llanes — a pairing the magazine describes as an invitation to "pure hedonism." For travellers drawn to the good life, the magazine suggests, nothing more is needed than serpentine virgin beaches, no-nonsense fishing villages and cider houses where hearty dishes are served without fuss.

The two towns sit on a stretch of coastline that feels cinematic. With mountains in the background lightening any horizon, this is a landscape designed for slow discovery — somewhere between the wild Cantabrian Sea and the green peaks that define eastern Asturias. The recognition places this corner of the Principality alongside Spain's most celebrated destinations, yet its character remains unmistakably local: unpretentious, deeply maritime and framed by a geography that has shaped every street, cove and viewpoint.

RIBADESELLA: A DOORWAY TO THE EASTERN ASTURIAN COAST

Ribadesella serves as a privileged gateway to eastern Asturias, a destination where landscape and history converse naturally. The journey begins along the estuary of the River Sella, the town's vital axis, from which its seafaring tradition and tourist appeal become clear. The historic centre maintains an attractive balance between the local and the monumental, while the wide, elegant Santa Marina beach offers one of the most recognisable postcards of the Cantabrian coast. A short distance away, the Tito Bustillo cave elevates the cultural value of the visit with one of the most important ensembles of rock art in Europe, reminding visitors that Ribadesella is not only a place to look at, but also to interpret.

LLANES: COASTAL DIVERSITY AND CONTEMPORARY ART

Llanes, for its part, presents a more extensive and diverse proposal, combining urban heritage, rugged coastline and nature in its purest form. The old town, protected by the remains of its medieval wall, invites visitors to lose themselves in narrow streets that lead to the port, where the Cubos de la Memoria introduce a contemporary artistic intervention that has become part of the local identity. But Llanes is best understood from its coastline: beaches such as Toró, Gulpiyuri and Ballota offer very different experiences within a few kilometres, demonstrating a geographical variety that is rare in such a compact area. Inland, the Sierra del Cuera serves as a permanent backdrop, reinforcing the feeling of a complete destination.

Recognition by a publication as influential as National Geographic consistently increases interest in the region among international buyers. InasTour, as an exclusive buyer's agent, helps investors identify properties in the most sought-after coastal locations of eastern Asturias — from historic townhouses in Llanes to estates near the Sella estuary — with a focus on long-term value and quality of life.

The National Geographic selection of Ribadesella and Llanes for 2026 is not simply a seasonal recommendation. It points to a broader shift in how travellers understand the Spanish coast — away from overcrowded resorts and towards landscapes that retain their identity, their connection to the sea and their sense of place. In eastern Asturias, that shift finds one of its most compelling expressions: a journey through fishing villages, prehistoric caves and mountains that meet the ocean, where hedonism is not an excess but an appreciation of the genuine.