Things to do in Candás and around Activities and excursions from our accommodation
Candás is much more than just a dot on the map of Asturias. It is a town with character, a seaside setting, a rich history, and a culinary scene you won’t soon forget. From our guesthouse, all of this is just a short walk away.
One of the best things about staying at our guesthouse is Candás’s strategic location on the Asturian coast. In less than half an hour by car, you can reach Gijón, Avilés, or Oviedo. Within an hour, you can be at the Picos de Europa or Cape Peñas. And if you don’t feel like taking the car, the town itself offers more than enough to fill an entire day.
Candás Beach — Your first plan of the day
Candás Beach is one of the gems of the municipality of Carreño. It is an urban beach with fine sand, a great orientation, and full amenities—including lifeguards during peak season, showers, restrooms, and adapted accesibility … and is just a five-minute walk from our accommodation.
We know the waters of the Cantabrian Sea are cold. Yet there is something captivating about swimming in the sea of northern Spain—with that blue-green hue and an energy unlike any other sea. First-time visitors often return for that very reason.
Outside the swimming season, Candás Beach is just as beautiful for sunset strolls, reading to the sound of the waves, or simply gazing at the horizon. You don’t need it to be summer to enjoy it.
The port and the seafront - the soul of Candás
Candás is, above all, a fishing town. And its harbor proves it. Early in the morning, you can see inshore fishing boats arriving with the day’s catch, fishermen working on their nets, and the activity of a harbor that remains just as authentic as it was a hundred years ago.
The Candás seafront runs along the town’s coast and is a favorite spot for locals to take an afternoon stroll. Overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, flanked by traditional seaside houses and the municipality’s most authentic seafood restaurants, it is one of those places where time slows down—and that is exactly what you want.
Asturian gastronomy - the flavours of the sea in Candás
If there is anything that defines Asturias just as much as—or even more than—its landscape, it is its cuisine. And in Candás, a town with deep seafaring roots, that cuisine revolves around the sea with an authenticity that is becoming increasingly rare in tourist destinations.
In the port you’ll find restaurants where hake, monkfish, goose barnacles, velvet crabs, and spider crabs are protagonists of menus which change based on what te boats bring in. Nothing frozen, no imported seafood. Here you eat what the sea brings in each day.
The cider houses of Candás and the municipality of Carreño are a must-visit. Asturian cider is not just a drink; it is a ritual, a way of socializing, and a fundamental part of the local culture. The act of pouring the cider from a height, the aroma, the splash against the cold glass—it is an experience that must be lived.
And if you want to broaden your culinary horizons, Avilés boasts one of the most beautiful food markets in Asturias, while Gijón offers a fantastic selection of top-notch cider houses and restaurants. Both cities are less than a 20-minute drive away.
Walking routes along the coast of Carreño
The municipality of Carreño has one of the nicest coasts of Asturias. The cliffs, the green fields that reach the edge of the sea and the small fishing villages which alternate with the beaches make the hiking trails in the area hard to beat.
The Carreño Coastal Path connects various points along the municipality’s coastline via sections of low to moderate difficulty that are suitable for the whole family. The views of the Cantabrian Sea from the cliffs of Cabo de Peñas —located just 18 km from Candás—are among the most impressive along the entire northern coast.
If you are looking for something more challenging, the Picos de Europa area is less than a 90-minute drive away and offers routes for all levels, ranging from a walk through the Cares Gorge to more technical ascents with breathtaking views.
Actividades for the whole family
Candás is a perfect destination for a family visit. The town’s manageable size, its safe, easily accessible beach, and the close proximity of everything makes it very easy to get around with children, without the stress of large tourist cities.
The Gijón Aquarium, a 15-minute drive away, is one of the best in Spain and offers a fantastic educational program for young children.
Coastal cycling routes, boat trips through the Avilés estuary, and visits to nearby nature interpretation centers round out a family-friendly offering that provides enough to fill several days.
Day trips from Candás
Candás’s location in the center of the Asturian coast makes it a perfect base for exploring the region without having to change accommodation every day. Here are our recommendations for day trips:
Gijón
It is the largest city in Asturias and one of its most culturally vibrant. Don’t miss the Cimadevilla neighborhood, the Campo Valdés Roman baths, the Barjola Museum, the San Lorenzo beach promenade, and the Mercado del Sur. At night, the array of bars and restaurants in the Natahoyo or El Llano districts rivals that of any major Spanish city.
Avilés
Avilés surprises those who arrive expecting to find nothing more than an industrial city. Its historic center is one of the most authentic in Asturias, featuring architectural gems such as the Plaza de España, the arcaded walkways, and the Capilla de los Alas. The Niemeyer Center, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, is a must-visit for lovers of contemporary architecture.
Cabo Peñas
One of the northernmost points of the Iberian Peninsula is home to one of the wildest and most beautiful landscapes along the entire Cantabrian coast. The cliffs rising more than 100 meters above the sea, the historic lighthouse, and the endless views make the trip worthwhile any time of year. It’s especially impressive during storms and when the sky is clear at dusk.
Oviedo
The capital of Asturias boasts a historic center designated a World Heritage Site, featuring pre-Romanesque churches, the Gothic cathedral, El Fontán and its markets, and some of the region’s best cider houses along the street of Gascona. It is a city that captivates visitors with its human scale, peaceful atmosphere, and exceptional quality of life.
Picos de Europa
If you have a full day available, the Picos de Europa are worth every kilometer. The Cares Gorge route, the Lakes of Covadonga, the Sanctuary of Covadonga, and the high-mountain landscapes of the National Park are unforgettable experiences. We recommend setting out early to make the most of the day.
Candás cultural agenda and festivals
Candás boasts a festive calendar rich in local flavor. The San Antonio festivities in July, the San Félix and San Roque celebrations in August, and the El Cristo festivities in September fill the town with a lively atmosphere, music, maritime processions, and the full energy of a community that still celebrates its traditions with pride.
If you visit Candás in the summer, the harbor becomes a stage for open-air dances, concerts, and festivals—such as the “Villa de Candás” Bagpipe Band Festival—as well as traditions like the “Alborada”, where fishing boats head out to sea to pay tribute to the sailors. It is one of those moments you won’t find in any tourist brochure—something you can only experience by being here.