For a getaway that’s a real change of pace from Paris, head to Asturias and the northern coast of Spain. Less than a two-hour flight from the capital, Cudillero is an old fishing village situated in a natural cove facing the Cantabrian Sea. Its colorful houses are arranged in tiers around the harbor like an amphitheater, connected by narrow alleys, stairways, and several lookout points. People come here as much to stroll through the town center as to explore the beaches, cliffs, and wild landscapes surrounding the village.
Cudillero, a fishing village with multicolored houses
Nestled in a cove along the Asturian coast, the village is practically invisible as you approach it, whether from land or sea. You have to walk down to the harbor to discover what makes it so special: dozens of colorful houses built in terraces on the slopes surrounding a small square that opens onto the ocean. It is, in fact, one of the most famous and most-photographed fishing villages in northern Spain.
From the Plaza de la Marina, the facades seem to be stacked one on top of the other, connected by staircases, narrow passageways, and streets that climb steeply. There’s no need to plan a very specific itinerary: the visit is mainly about gradually gaining elevation to discover the village from different angles.
Several lookout points offer views of this unique layout. The La Garita lookout offers a view of the harbor, the lighthouse, and the houses, while those at El Picu and Casa del Fuego provide different perspectives of the rooftops. A trail marked by small blue fish symbols allows visitors to move between several of these viewpoints.
Cudillero also retains an identity closely tied to fishing. Its residents are traditionally called the Pixuetos, a name associated with a local dialect. On some houses, you can still spot curadillos—small sharks dried in the open air. This ancient preservation technique allowed fishing families to store fish for several months, long before the advent of refrigerators.
The historic center also features the San Pedro Church, built in the 16th century, and the El Humilladero Chapel, considered the oldest building in the village. The harbor, however, remains the best place to experience Cudillero, with its fishing boats and restaurants lining the main square.
Just a few kilometers away, Playa del Silencio is one of the best-known beaches on the Asturian coast, featuring a bay surrounded by cliffs. The beaches of Gueirúa and Concha de Artedo offer other options, while Cabo Vidio provides access to one of the major headlands along this stretch of coastline. Another possible detour: the Selgas Palace in El Pito. This 19th-century complex, sometimes nicknamed the “Asturian Versailles,” stands in stark contrast to the fishermen’s houses in the harbor and offers a glimpse of another side of the region.
Location: Cudillero, 33150, Asturias, Spain
Hours: The village is open to the public year-round; the tourist office and monuments are open according to their respective schedules.