Cudillero

TL;DR: Cudillero is an Instagram-worthy fishing village in Asturias where rainbow-colored houses cascade down cliffs to a picture-perfect harbor. Expect epic viewpoints, mind-blowing seafood, and that slow-life Spanish coastal vibe that’ll make you want to extend your stay indefinitely.

Why Cudillero Should Be Your Next Spanish Adventure

Picture this: a village so gorgeous it literally won an Oscar. Director Jose Luis Garci took charge of this in his award-winning “Start over”, the first Oscar of Spanish cinema. Cudillero isn’t just another pretty face on Spain’s northern coast – it’s the poster child for “why didn’t I come here sooner?”

Tucked into the green hills of the Asturian coast, this traditional fishing village had slowly become a popular seasonal destination – but mostly among Spaniards. That means you get all the authentic Spanish charm without the tourist circus you’ll find in other coastal hotspots.

Getting There (Easier Than You Think!)

Flying In: Your best bet is Asturias airport, and is just 10 kilometers from the Asturias airport – basically a 15-minute drive. The airport has that cute small-town vibe where you’re not spending half your vacation in security lines.

By Train: The FEVE train system connects Cudillero to major cities. You can check departure times on the Alsa website, and while it takes longer than driving, the scenic route through northern Spain’s countryside is worth the extra time.

By Bus: The easiest option is to take one of the Alsa buses running from Avilés to Cudillero. This trip costs €3.30 and takes about 45-50 minutes.

By Car: It can be accessed from Oviedo in just 30 minutes by highway – perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Where to Stay: From Cozy to Luxe

Budget-Friendly: Look for family-run guesthouses tucked into the village’s winding streets. They might require some uphill hiking with your luggage, but the authentic experience is worth it.

Mid-Range: Hotel El Rosal de Cudillero gets rave reviews for outstanding hospitality and convenience.

Splurge Option: Consider staying in nearby El Pito for access to luxury accommodations while being just minutes from Cudillero’s main attractions.

The Ultimate Viewpoint Hunt

Cudillero’s secret sauce? It has a hiking route of viewpoints, including the walk to the lighthouse, La Garita, La Atalaya and El Pico. Think of it as a real-life Instagram filter that makes everything look impossibly beautiful.

Must-Hit Viewpoints:

Mirador de la Garita: This observation tower offers panoramic views of not just the village but also the bay, the harbor, and the lighthouse. It’s the classic postcard shot that’ll make your friends jealous.

Mirador del Picu: From this viewpoint, you get a perfect view of the unique layout of the village with Plaza de la Marina at its heart, making it our top pick.

Mirador del Contorno: This viewpoint, positioned at sea level directly opposite the village, offers the ideal postcard view of Cudillero.

Pro Tip: These three routes are clearly marked on a map at the village entrance, and you will also find signs along the way to guide you. Each route is identified by its own symbol: the sailboat, the anchor, or the fish.

Food Scene: Where Fresh Meets Phenomenal

Signature Dishes You Can’t Miss:

Pixín (Monkfish): The pixín (monkfish), the red sea bream a la espada or the Abaroque sardines are also specialties of the village. This isn’t your average fish – it’s the local obsession that earned the town its nickname.

Curadillo: The most pixueto (Asturian dialect from bable) dish to eat in Cudillero is the curadillo – think air-dried shark that sounds weird but tastes incredible. You’ll see curadillo hanging from the windows, a local speciality of sun-dried shark that used to be considered poor-man’s food but has since become a hallmark of Cudillero cuisine.

Where to Eat:

Casa Julio (Plaza de la Marina): Casa Julio (Plaza de la Marina) – a bustling restaurant which serves up authentic Asturian dishes and is renowned for its grilled seafood platter. Multiple reviewers call this the best meal of their entire northern Spain trip.

Sidrería El Remo: Located in the heart of Cudillero, on Plaza de la Marina, Sidrería El Remo is a charming rustic bar that offers a delightful combination of cider, seafood, and traditional Asturian dishes.

Mesón El Carbayu: Head to the restaurant Mesón El Carbayu, near the Atalaya viewpoint, which also offers authentic local dishes. Be sure to try the cachopo – simply out-of-this-world delicious.

Beaches: Beyond the Harbor

While Cudillero’s harbor steals the show, Despite its location between rocks and near a harbor, Cudillero itself doesn’t have a beach. However, the surrounding area boasts several beautiful sandy beaches:

Playa de Aguilar: Our favorite is Playa de Aguilar, a sand and pebble beach that’s best visited during low tide, as there is hardly any beach left at high tide.

Playa del Silencio: One of Spain’s most photographed beaches, perfect for that dramatic coastline photo.

Gueirúa Beach: The beaches of the municipality of Cudillero, Like this Gueirúa offer wild, rugged beauty.

Day Trip Gold: Cabo Vidio & El Pito

Cabo Vidio: Located a short 10-minute drive from Cudillero, Cabo Vidio is an unmissable stop for any trip through Asturias. Guarded by a troupe of curious goats, these towering cliffs provide breathtaking views over the wild Bay of Biscay

Palacio Quinta de Selgas: In the town of El Pito is the Selgas Palace Complex, popularly known as the Asturian Versailles. Apart from a dream decoration: tapestries, clocks, furniture, inside you can discover an impressive collection of works of art, with oil paintings by Titian, Goya and El Greco.

Cultural Quirks: The Pixueto Language

Here’s something cool: Pixuetu is a dialect of Asturianu spoken only in Cudillero, a tiny village on the Cantabrian coast, distinuished by its use of Nordic words. The locals are called Pixuetos, and the name of their dialect is a combination of the words “fish” (pix-) and “activity” (-uetus).

Best Time to Visit

Summer (June-August): Peak season means crowds but also the best weather and longest days for viewpoint hopping.

Spring/Fall (April-May, September-October): Sweet spot for fewer tourists, mild weather, and still-decent daylight hours.

Winter: If you’re a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Cudillero between December and February – just pack layers for that Asturian weather.

Money-Saving Hacks

Free Entertainment: You could store your money in the hotel safe for the day, because these great attractions can be seen for nothing – the viewpoints and village wandering cost exactly zero euros.

Lunch Strategy: Go for the “menú del día” at local restaurants – usually around €15-20 for a multi-course meal that’ll leave you rolling out the door.

Transport: The train journey might take longer, but it’s budget-friendly and scenic as hell.

Planning Your Perfect Day

Morning: Start early at the harbor, grab coffee, then begin your viewpoint conquest while the light is soft and crowds are minimal.

Midday: Long lunch at one of the Plaza de la Marina restaurants – when in Spain, embrace the leisurely meal culture.

Afternoon: Beach time or explore nearby Cabo Vidio for those dramatic cliff shots.

Evening: Return to the village for sunset viewing and cider tasting as the colorful houses light up.

Final Thoughts

Cudillero isn’t just a destination – it’s that perfect Spanish coastal experience that makes you understand why people fall in love with this country. In Cudillero, colorful houses ring the harbor, overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. A network of steep, narrow alleys winds its way around the so-called “amphitheater,” with a handful of official lookout points (and countless unofficial ones).

Whether you’re here for the ‘gram, the grub, or just to slow down and soak in some serious Spanish coastal magic, Cudillero delivers in ways that’ll have you planning your return visit before you’ve even left.

Pro tip: Don’t rush it. This is the kind of place that rewards wanderers and lingerers, not box-checkers. Give yourself time to get pleasantly lost in those winding streets – that’s where the real magic happens.