Our family moved to Asturias when our oldest daughter was one, and our youngest was born here. Now that they are 7 and 9, we’ve spent the last few years wandering Asturias in search of cool hikes, beaches, and action-packed activities for our kids. We’ve also organized dozens of family holidays in Asturias and beyond through our travel agency, intoAsturias, catering to families with both young children and teenagers. Do you have kids who love adventure sports more than lying on the beach all day? If so, Asturias might be the perfect spot for your next family holiday!
In this blog, we share our personal recommendations for a trip to Asturias with children and teenagers. They are based on our own experiences and the trips organized by our Asturias-based agency. This means we often know the guides and activity leaders personally and are confident that they will provide an incredible experience, whether hunting for dinosaur tracks along the coast, catching some waves, or mountain biking through the hills.
At the end of this blog (and here), you’ll find out how we can take care of everything for you—both before and during your holiday—so you can relax completely!
Here are 8 of our favorite ways to travel Asturias with kids.
Our Favorite Holiday Activities in Asturias with Kids
🦖 Walk with dinosaurs
Step into the footprints of dinosaurs–literally–on Asturias’s dinosaur coast, the seaside area between Gijón and Ribadesella. Learn about these prehistoric creatures and see original footprints and fossils at the Jurassic Museum of Asturias. The adventure continues at Tito Bustillo Cave, a UNESCO Heritage Site with prehistoric cave paintings. It’s a fun and educational stop for all ages. Want extra insight from a local guide? Check out our Tour of the Dinosaur Coast with founder Debora.
🏖️ Relax at the beach
Relax on one of Asturias’s beautiful beaches. Kids will love swimming in the calm waters and exploring the unique rock formations, and parents will love the chance to relax and experience the idyllic seaside cliffs. If you’re already on the Dinosaur Coast, be sure to visit La Griega, a wide, sandy beach divided by the Libardón river, creating natural pools where kids can search for small hermit crabs and other marine life. In Llanes, visit Cuevas del Mar and explore rock formations carved out by the waves. Near Cudillero, we recommend San Pedro de Ribeira, which is fed by the crystal clear waters of the Esqueiro River. Bring a tube or other float to enjoy the beaches of Asturias with the kids!
🎨 Take a Family Ceramics Class
In the heart of Redes Nature Park, get your hands dirty with a family ceramics class! Inspired by the natural beauty of the mountains and their Asturian heritage, local artists have come together to create art that reflects their love for their home and share it with visitors of all ages and skill levels. Mar and her team pride themselves on creating shared memories as families bond over a moment of creativity.
🚜 Take a Tractor Ride to Brañagallones
Discover Brañagallones, a scenic high-altitude glacial valley in Redes Nature Park. Rafa, a self-described mountain-lover and “taxi driver to paradise”, takes you in his tractor, towing an adapted trailer with 19 comfortable seats. It’s a convenient way to reach an otherwise inaccessible area. Once you arrive, we recommend taking a hike or enjoying a picnic at the refugio. This is an excellent plan for a family that loves spending time outdoors.
Our Favorite Activities in Asturias with Teens
🌊 Learn to surf
During the summer months, waves in Asturias are only about 1 meter high, creating gentle and manageable conditions for beginners. Surf schools at Gijón’s San Lorenzo Beach offer classes for both children and adults. If you’re on the eastern coast, head over to Llanes for private, kid-friendly classes with one of our hand-picked partners.
🛶 Paddle on the Eo Estuary
In western Asturias, paddle down the Eo Estuary in a canoe, a family excursion through the Río Eo, Oscos y Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve. Follow expert local guides past tidal mills, the Ports of Figueras and Ribadeo, the Puente de los Santos bridge, the Illa Pancha Lighthouse, and Arnao Beach. As you glide over crystal blue waters, pay close attention to the wildlife that lives on the riverbank–you may spot creatures like kingfishers, herons, and otters!
🏔️ Go Canyoning
A family adventure you will never forget! Rappel, jump, slide, climb, and swim your way through the canyons of Arriondas and Cangas de Onís, in the foothills of Picos de Europa. It’s a thrill that the whole family can enjoy, with multiple intensity levels to choose from. We work with local, English-speaking guides to ensure a safe adventure with easy communication.
🚲 Bike the Senda del Oso
The “Bear Trail” was originally an old mining railway, but when the mines closed in 1963, the train tracks were left abandoned and the paths neglected. Throughout the 1990s, cycling enthusiasts from Gijón pushed for the tracks to be reborn as a greenway for walkers, runners, and bikers. The trail gets its name from Paca and Tola, two orphaned brown bears that appeared in the area while the greenway was under construction. They were rescued and placed in an enclosure along the path, becoming living symbols of wildlife conservation in Asturias. Both bears have since passed, but the newest addition, Molina, still lives in the enclosure. You can visit Molina and enjoy the greenway for yourself on an easy, scenic bike ride.
Summer Weather in Asturias
Asturias is an ideal place to spend those precious days of summer break. During the summer, temperatures average around 23°C during the day and can drop down to 14°C at night. It’s warm enough to relax at the beach but still cool enough to comfortably break a sweat while hiking or biking. In coastal areas like Llanes and Gijon, the weather is usually milder than in the more mountainous zones. Be sure to dress in layers if you plan to hike in high altitude nature parks like Somiedo, Ubiñas, Redes, or Picos de Europa. Read more about the weather in Asturias in this blog post.
Let us Plan your Active Family Holiday in Asturias!
Ready to plan your family holiday in Asturias?
Let us create an adventurous tailor-made proposal.
We carefully select accommodations—often smaller-scale properties—and activities that perfectly match the preferences and needs of both you and your children. We handle all the bookings and organize everything in a handy app. During your trip through Asturias, simply check the app to see exactly where and when to head for your next accommodation or activity. This leaves you plenty of time for quality moments with the kids.
Planning your own itinerary (perhaps with the help of an Artificial Intelligence Tool)? We would still love to help you fill your family holiday with exciting activities, led by the region’s best and safest English-speaking guides.