Ribadesella Holidays: Tito Bustillo Cave and Asturian Beaches
Province of Asturias · Asturias · Spain · 5,730 residents · on the coast
Tito Bustillo Cave
Playas de Berbes, Vega y La Sierra
Beach of Santa Marina, Ribeseya
Faro de Ribadesella
Playa de GuadamíaRibadesella is a small coastal town of around 5,730 people on the Asturian shore of northern Spain, sitting barely 20 metres above sea level. Its pull is easy to explain. Tito Bustillo Cave lies less than half a mile from the centre, and Playa de La Atalaya and the Beach of Santa Marina are both within walking distance. Further along the coast, a string of sandy coves runs out to El Portiello, about five miles away. Summers are mild rather than scorching, peaking around 24°C in August. Asturias Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly an hour and ten minutes' drive away. That makes Ribadesella a realistic choice for a family beach holiday with a greener, cooler character than the Mediterranean.
Why go
- Tito Bustillo Cave, the town's best-known sight, is under half a mile from the centre.
- Playa de La Atalaya and Santa Marina beach are both within a short stroll of town.
- Asturias Airport has direct UK flights and is about 70 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Ribadesella
Caves, Coves and a Lighthouse
The headline attraction is Tito Bustillo Cave, around 0.4 miles from the centre and by some distance the most notable sight in Ribadesella. Close by on the coast, the Faro de Ribadesella lighthouse stands about 1.4 miles out of town, a good walk or short drive for anyone who likes a headland view.
Beaches are the other half of the story, and they suit families well. The furthest-reaching names are El Portiello, about 5.2 miles away, and the long stretch of Playas de Berbes, Vega y La Sierra at around 4.7 miles. Nearer to town, the Beach of Santa Marina is just over half a mile from the centre and Playa de La Atalaya only a quarter of a mile. Playa de Guadamía (about 3.9 miles), Playa de Tereñes (2.2 miles), Playa de Aberdil (0.7 miles), Playa de Arra (1.1 miles) and Entrepeñes y Playa de Vega (4.2 miles) complete the coastline.
Tours and tickets for activities in and around Ribadesella can be booked directly on this page.
1cave- 3beach
Playas de Berbes, Vega y La Sierra
5 miles from the centre · Photo
- 4beach
Beach of Santa Marina, Ribeseya
In the centre · Photo
- 5lighthouse
- 6beach
Playa de Guadamía
4 miles from the centre · Photo
10beachPlaya de La Atalaya
In the centre · Photo
11beachEntrepeñes y Playa de Vega
4 miles from the centre · Photo
El Portiello
beach · 5 miles from the centre
Playa de Tereñes
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Playa de Aberdil
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de Arra
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Ribadesella
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Ribadesella can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Ribadesella
Choosing a Base in Ribadesella
With a population of under 6,000, Ribadesella is compact, and staying in or near the town puts Tito Bustillo Cave, Playa de La Atalaya and Santa Marina beach all within walking distance. This is the easiest option for families who would rather leave the car parked.
Those after quieter sand may prefer to look along the coast towards Playa de Tereñes, Guadamía or the Berbes and Vega beaches, a few miles out, accepting that a car will be needed for most trips. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Ribadesella and the villages around it is a hire car from Asturias (OVD), about 1 h 10 min away.
Best time to visit Ribadesella
When to Visit Ribadesella
- 14°CJan186 mm
- 14°CFeb89 mm
- 16°CMar97 mm
- 16°CApr67 mm
- 18°CMay96 mm
- 21°CJun102 mm
- 23°CJul44 mm
- 24°CAug66 mm
- 22°CSept118 mm
- 21°COct145 mm
- 18°CNov132 mm
- 14°CDec112 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
This is the green north of Spain, and the climate reflects it. July and August are the warmest months, with highs of 23°C to 24°C and nights around 17°C to 18°C. July is also the driest month, with about 44mm of rain, which makes high summer the most dependable time for beach days.
Rain is never far away, though. Even in summer there are 12 to 14 rainy days a month, and May has the most wet days of the year at 17. January is the wettest month by volume at around 186mm, with October and November also heavy. Winters are mild, with daytime highs of about 14°C, so shoulder-season visits suit walkers and cave visitors rather than sunbathers.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 6°C | 186 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 6°C | 89 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 97 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 16°C | 10°C | 67 mm | 9 h |
| May | 18°C | 11°C | 96 mm | 11 h |
| Jun | 21°C | 15°C | 102 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 17°C | 44 mm | 11 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 18°C | 66 mm | 10 h |
| Sept | 22°C | 15°C | 118 mm | 9 h |
| Oct | 21°C | 14°C | 145 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 132 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 112 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Ribadesella from the UK
Asturias Airport is the closest, about 49 miles away and roughly 70 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander Airport, around 62 miles and about an hour and a half's drive, also has direct UK flights, as does Bilbao Airport, roughly 109 miles away and around two hours and 35 minutes by road. Car hire from any of the three makes sense given how spread out the beaches are.
For those taking their own car, Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Plymouth in about 20 hours and from Portsmouth in roughly 24 to 32 hours. Santander port is about 63 miles from Ribadesella. Driving the whole way from Calais takes around 14 hours behind the wheel.
By air
- Asturias (OVD)49 miles, about 1 h 10 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)62 miles, about 1 h 28 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Bilbao (BIO)109 miles, about 2 h 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 11 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Santander (63 miles).
Ribadesella is good for
Around Ribadesella
Day Trips Along the Coast and Inland
Cangas de Onís is the nearest neighbour of note, around 8 miles away, with Posada at about 10 miles and the coastal town of Colunga at 11 miles. Llanes, a larger town of some 13,600 people, is about 16 miles east, while the small municipality of Amieva lies around 15 miles inland.
For a longer outing, Posada de Valdeón, over the border in Castile and León, is about 22 miles away. Gijón, the big city of the region with a population above 270,000, and Potes in Cantabria are both roughly 30 miles from Ribadesella.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Pack a waterproof whatever the month. Even July and August average at least 12 rainy days, so plan a flexible day for Tito Bustillo Cave or a drive inland when the weather turns.
A hire car pays for itself here. Several of the beaches lie between two and five miles from town, the airports are between about 49 and 109 miles away, and day trips such as Llanes and Cangas de Onís are best done by road.
Ribadesella is a small town of fewer than 6,000 residents, so expect a relaxed pace rather than big-resort nightlife; Gijón, about 30 miles away, is the nearest city.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Ribadesella?
Asturias Airport is the nearest, about 49 miles away and roughly 70 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander and Bilbao airports also have direct UK flights, at around one and a half and two and a half hours' drive respectively.
Is Ribadesella good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. Playa de La Atalaya is about a quarter of a mile from the centre and the Beach of Santa Marina just over half a mile, with more family-friendly beaches such as Playa de Arra and Playa de Tereñes within a few miles.
How hot does Ribadesella get in summer?
Summers are mild. August is the warmest month, with average highs around 24°C and lows near 18°C, while July averages about 23°C. It suits travellers who prefer comfortable warmth to intense Mediterranean heat.
Does it rain a lot in Ribadesella?
Rain is common all year. July is the driest month at about 44mm, but still sees around 12 rainy days. January is the wettest at roughly 186mm, and May has the most rainy days, about 17.
Can I take the ferry from the UK to reach Ribadesella?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Plymouth in about 20 hours and from Portsmouth in roughly 24 to 32 hours. Santander port is about 63 miles from Ribadesella, an easy drive along the northern coast.
How far is Tito Bustillo Cave from Ribadesella town centre?
Tito Bustillo Cave is around 0.4 miles from the centre of Ribadesella, close enough to walk. It is the town's most notable sight, and tours and tickets for activities in the area can be booked on this page.