Ayuntamiento de Ribadesella

Ayuntamiento de Ribadesella sits at the heart of the old quarter of Ribadesella/Ribeseya, a coastal town on the eastern shore of Asturias where the Sella River meets the sea, right below the Picos de Europa. It's the natural starting point for exploring a town founded in the 13th century by King Alfonso X the Wise and still shaped by its fishing harbour and summer tourist buzz.

How do you get to Ribadesella?

The town sits on the coastal road linking Gijón with the Cantabrian border, roughly an hour's drive from both Oviedo and Santander. The nearest airport is Asturias Airport in Ranón, about 100 km away. The town hall itself stands on the main square of the old town, within easy walking distance of the harbour, the beaches and the bus stop.

What's around the town hall?

Narrow streets in the old quarter lead down to the bridge that splits the fishing harbour in two — the very spot where the famous Sella River canoe race finishes every year in early August. Nearby stand the church of Santa María Magdalena, the mansion known as Palacio de Cutre, and Villa Rosario, close to the birthplace of the Impressionist painter Darío de Regoyos. It's also worth climbing up to the Ermita de Guía chapel, which overlooks the river mouth and the open ocean.

Tito Bustillo Cave: Palaeolithic paintings

A few hundred metres from the town centre lies the Tito Bustillo Cave, listed by UNESCO as one of the most important sites of cave art in the Franco-Cantabrian region, alongside Altamira and Lascaux. The paintings and engravings of horses, bison and reindeer date back as much as 17,000 years, to the Magdalenian period. A Cave Art Centre with a permanent exhibition stands right at the entrance, and the cave itself is open to visitors from Easter through October — daily admissions are limited, so booking ahead is worthwhile.

The beaches of Ribadesella

The town has two main beaches on either side of the Sella estuary. Santa Marina stretches for about 1.5 km along a promenade lined with grand houses built by emigrants who made their fortune in the Americas — locally known as "casas de indianos". Across the river, Vega beach has a natural dune system and draws surfers and travellers looking for a quieter stretch of sand.

The Sella River descent

Ribadesella is the finish line of the International Sella River Descent (Descenso Internacional del Sella), a roughly 20 km canoe and kayak race from Arriondas that has run since 1930 on the first Saturday of August. It's the only Asturian festival to hold the title of Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, turning the whole town into a riverside party for a day.

When's the best time to visit?

July and August are peak season, with warm water, packed restaurants and the buzz of the descent festival. Spring and early autumn (April–June, September) suit travellers who prefer quieter beaches, good weather for the cave visit and smaller crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Tito Bustillo Cave without booking ahead? Daily entries are capped, so in the summer season it's best to reserve a ticket in advance through the local tourist information office.

How much time do I need in Ribadesella? Half a day covers the old town, harbour and one beach; add the cave and some proper beach time and it's worth planning for a full day or two.

Can I rent a kayak on the Sella River in Ribadesella? Yes — several operators in town and in nearby Arriondas offer Sella River descents for visitors year-round, not just on race day.

How far are the beaches from the town hall? Both main beaches, Santa Marina and Vega, are within a comfortable 10-15 minute walk of the old town centre.