Thanksto its natural beauty and strategic geographical location, this small village on the Asturian coastline is one of the main touristic destinations in the north of Spain.

Over the last centuries, the population has spread along a cleared terrace to the banks of the river mouth and the relative newness of its foundation has allowed it to have a broad and orderly street plan, in agreement with the urbanistic standards of Carlos III, under whose reign the enlargement of the village and port was undertaken. Although the old Quarter is attractive in itself, the major attraction of Ribadesella is it spectacular geographical surrounding, unique in all the Cantabrian cornice.

The general effect of the mountains, beach, and river that constitute this place is so lovely that it resists being described by mere words.

The center of this natural panorama is the río Sella , which changes into an estuary here, and blends its fresh waters with the salty currents of the Cantabria. The two urban centers can be found on one side or the other of the river mouth. On the edge of the port and river mouth is the old village, with its large houses, train, church, and market. On the other side, the residential district, which was born and grew during the twentieth century, stretches out near the beach. Joining both areas is a long bridge that lengthens maritime walks besides serving as the finish line for the Sella International Pirogues Race.

The river, slow and wide in front of the village, abruptly tapers off and turns into ocean a few meters beyond, fitting between the Punta del Arenal and the Paseo de la Grúa . And once finally free and salty, it collides with Santa Marina beach, which, in previous, centuries, was a territory of dunes, shipyards, and whaling industry sites.

Two watchtower-like mountains flank this shell-shaped beach: toward the west, Somos rises up, with the lighthouse at its summit, and at the other end, next to the village, lies Mount Corvero, formerly visited by "sea crows" or cormorants. For nearly five centuries, the hermitage of the Guía , an ancient artillery site for the protection of the port which today is converted into a peaceful and indispensable panoramic viewpoint, has crowned this ridge.

The traveller should climb up to the Guía in order to prove to himself that these words are not pure rhetoric, but rather a pale reflection of a magnificent creation of Nature. With a single glance, one can embrace the entire horizon of the sea, beach, inlet, mouth of the Sella, port, village, gentle meadows of the environs, and the formidable cliffs of the Corvero, that headland which arrests the force of the Cantabria and protects the village from its fierceness. The Santianes Mountains, acting as a backdrop to this panorama, rise up to the south and securely surround the valley next to the river and separating this territory from the rest of the world.

The world does not end at the Santianes , Farther above its highlands looms a crest of the Peaks of Europe , which seems to indicate that the natural beauties extend over the entire district. We want to make known that, besides its own attractiveness, Ribadesella has the advantage of a privileged geographical location, its proximity to the most interesting places of the Asturian wilderness.

From this village one can quickly reach the ports of- Llanes, Lastres, Tazones, or Gijón, Oviedo, Santillana del Mar, or Fuente Dé. One can also arrive at the Peaks of Europe, the Lakes, and the Cares Route in the wink of an eye. Because of this great proximity, Ribadesella proudly boasts the title of "Beach of the Peaks of Europe".

The closeness to the most exquisite landscapes in Asturias added to Ribadesella’s own beauty fully justifies the selection of this village as a touristic destination and as a starting place for unforgettable excursions toward the four cardinal points.

May you be welcomed to Ribadesella, the heart of the Natural Paradise of Asturias.