What to see and do in Ribadesella

Join us to discover Ribadesella a charming Asturian village on the Cantabrian coast. This small town combines spectacular beaches, impressive mountains and a relaxed atmosphere.

Take a walk through its old town full of cobblestone streets and traditional houses, visit the Church of Santa María Magdalena and the port with its colorful fishing boats. Enjoy an unforgettable experience that we repeat whenever we can descent of the Sella by canoe. And for the gourmets, try the fresh fish and seafood in local restaurants, accompanied of course by a good Asturian cider.

This area is one of our favorites in Asturias and we have visited it quite a few summers, so we hope that our recommendations will be useful for you to discover the must-see in Ribadesella in one weekend.

Sella Bridge and the Paseo de los Vencedores (Winners' Walk)

One of the areas that we like the most to start a visit to Ribadesella is to approach its promenade on the banks of the river Sella. If you follow this walk upstream you will arrive at the part known as the Paseo de los Vencedores which marks the end of the international descent of the Sella and in which there is a sculpture that pays tribute to the winners of this event that is held every year.

This descent of the river by canoe is done every year in Ribadesella and is one of the most popular activities in Ribadesella biggest parties of the area. If you do not know what we are talking about, we will tell you more details in the last point of the article.

The Colored Staircase

On the way to the historic center we find one of the most photogenic corners of Ribadesella, the Colored Staircase. Located in the heart of the old town, this staircase has become a symbol of the urban art and creativity. Each step of the staircase is painted with bright colors and positive messages, creating an explosion of joy that you can't miss.

This place is ideal for a short stop while you are touring the old town Take some pictures and continue with your route. Undoubtedly, the Escalera de Colores is one of the most curious places to visit in Ribadesella.

La Cuesta Viewpoint

If you go up the colorful staircase you will find another stone staircase that leads to this spectacular viewpoint that offers a spectacular view of the city views from old town and the Church of Santa María de Magdalena from the heights.

This viewpoint can be reached by on foot o by car Although we sincerely do not recommend the second option (unless you have mobility problems) as we do not consider it necessary to use a car to visit the center of Ribadesella.

Historic center of Ribadesella

Continuing the route through Ribadesella, we recommend you to discover its historical center strolling through the labyrinth of streets that make it up and soaking in its medieval history. Some of the most important points of interest are the following:

• New square This colorful square surrounded by bars and restaurants is a good starting point to visit Ribadesella.
• Queen Maria Cristina Square The oldest building in the village is located here, the Prieto Cutre Palace from the 16th century.
• López Muñiz Streets and Manuel Fernández Juncos: Surrounded by magnificent buildings with arcades, such as the Casa de Ardines or the Casa de Collado. These are some of the most characteristic streets of the town.
• Church of Santa María Magdalena Full of terraces and presided over by the main altar, which houses an excellent main altar and several paintings by local artists.
• Atalaya Square and Tower Traditional style houses with colorful facades and defensive tower. It is a very good starting point to begin the ascent to the Ermita de la Guía Hermitage We will tell you more about it below.

Ermita de la Guía Hermitage

The Ermita de la Guía Hermitage is one of the most emblematic places of Ribadesella and offers impressive panoramic views of the town and the Cantabrian Sea. Located at the top of the mount Corberu This small white hermitage stands out for its simplicity and its privileged location.

The hermitage can be reached by two different ways. We recommend you to go up the Guide's way and back down to the center via the Grúa Promenade you will not regret it! During the tour, you will find several viewpoints from where you can enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds Ribadesella.

Once at the hermitage, you will be able to contemplate a incredible panoramic view that stretches from the port and the beach of Santa Marina to the mountains of the Picos de Europa on the horizon.

Paseo de la Grúa

If you have followed our route, you will return to the center via The Crane Walk. This promenade is another of the essential in a visit to Ribadesella, in whose route you will find the ceramic murals by Mingote that represent the history of the city in cartoon form.

At the end of the walk you will reach la Lonja and to the fishing port The beach is full of some of the best bars and restaurants to eat in Ribadesella. One of our favorite places to eat in Ribadesella.

Santa Marina Beach

On the other side of the Sella Bridge we find one of the most beautiful beaches of Asturias, the Santa Marina beach. With its extensive strip of fine golden sand The crescent-shaped beach is ideal to enjoy a day of sun and sea if you find good weather during your trip.

Located along the promenade, this beach has all the necessary amenities for a relaxing day, including showers, toilets and several beach bars. In addition, along the promenade you will be able to admire the palaces and houses of indianos belonging to the bourgeoisie of the early twentieth century.

If you are more adventurous, this semi-sheltered beach is perfect to practice some water sports such as surf o paddle surf.

Malecon Promenade

Very close to the beach of La Marina is this natural site of urban marshes. It consists of a series of wooden walkways and sighting points that allow you to take a leisurely stroll and spot the various migratory birds that are located on the site.

We recommend you to come if you have time left over after the tour of Ribadesella and you want to enjoy a natural environment that is close by.

Tito Bustillo Cave

The Tito Bustillo Cave is one of the most important prehistoric treasures of Ribadesella and Asturias. This cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to some of the most important prehistoric cave paintings most impressive in Europe, more than 14,000 years old.

To visit the Cave of Tito Bustillo, it is necessary to book well in advance Access is limited in order to preserve the paintings. During the visit, you can admire the figures of animals such as horses, bison and reindeer.

The Cave of Tito Bustillo is a must for visitors to the history and art lovers offering a unique experience that will transport you thousands of years back in time.

Descent of the Sella by canoe

If you have several days to visit Ribadesella and you enjoy the active tourism for us to make the descent of the Sella canoeing is a must.

The international descent of the Sella is celebrated every year as a big party in the locality although the canoe trip can be done at any time of the year. In fact, we like to do it on a date that does not coincide with the festival, since the festival attracts a lot of people.

There are many companies that offer guided tours or only transportation and pick-up at the beginning and end of the tour, canoe rental and watertight water bottle. The best thing about this route along the river is that you can make stops at the various beach bars along the river. We recommend you to try it 100%.

Related Questions About Ribadesella

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Ribadesella

The best time of the year to enjoy Ribadesella is undoubtedly during the summer when the sun shines and the days get longer. However, spring and autumn also have their charm, with fewer tourists and a natural beauty that changes with each season.

Where to Stay in Ribadesella

In Ribadesella, the accommodation offer is as varied as its landscapes. We can choose between charming hotels in the center, cottages overlooking the Sella, o apartments near Santa Marina Beach for those who wish to wake up to the sound of the waves.

Typical Dishes of Ribadesella

In Ribadesella you can't miss the Asturian cuisine with some of the typical dishes:

• Asturian Fabada
• Rice pudding
• Pixín alangostado
• Cheeses of the region such as Gamonéu or Cabrales.
• Cider, the drink that can't miss at any table

What to do in Ribadesella in a day?

In one day in Ribadesella, it is essential to visit its Historic District the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena and enjoy a stroll through the Santa Marina Beach. Do not miss the opportunity to taste the local cuisine in one of the port's restaurants.

For nature lovers, the Cares Route offers spectacular scenery and a unique hiking experience.

What to See in Ribadesella in Two Days?

To the above, he added a visit to the Tito Bustillo Cave to admire its cave paintings, and set aside time to climb up to the Hermitage of Guía and contemplate the panoramic views of the village and its surroundings.

On the second day, explore the surroundings of Ribadesella, such as the village of Lastres or performs an outdoor activity such as descent of the Sella canoeing.

What to do in Ribadesella on a rainy day?

One of the best things to do in Ribadesella when it is raining can be to visit the Tito Bustillo Rock Art Center where you can learn about prehistoric art. You can also visit the Jurassic Museum of Asturias known as MUJA, traveling back millions of years to discover the giants that once dominated these lands.

And, of course, there's no better plan than enjoy the local gastronomy of Asturias in one of its many restaurants, letting the typical dishes of Ribadesella warm our souls.

How many towns does Ribadesella have?

Ribadesella is a single parish, but it includes several places and villages in its council. Each of them has its charm, from beaches to mountain landscapes, offering a diversity that enriches the experience of any visitor.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see and do in Ribadesella you can visit our posts about Asturias.