Beach of Silence. What a name! So poetic, so mysterious, you can't help wanting to go meet her, right? It is one of the many beautiful beaches that Spain has and in this case is in Asturias and it is also known by the name of Playa d'El Gavieiru.
The beach is the owner of a wonderful landscape, and a while ago it was not so well known and one could go to sunbathe and take a dip as God brought it to the world. Yes, it was a nude beach But today, with the number of people who enjoy it, it is no longer possible to walk with so much freedom.
The Beach of Silence
As we said above the beach It is in Asturias, in the town of Castañeras, in an area that is protected by the species of birds that inhabit it. It is not a beach with soft and cozy sands but a beach full of stones, a flint actually, which has around Meters long 500. It is 30 kilometers from Avilés, 12 from Cudillero and 21 from Luarca,
For geographers this part of the Asturian coast is considered a geomorphological site of educational interest since its study allows us to understand the processes that participate in the configuration of the coastline and coasts. Its state of conservation is very good and that is because is surrounded by cliffs y does not have car access, so you have to leave it out of the way and then walk closer.
To this beach It is also known by the name of Gavieiru and as they say it derives from the seagulls or from the word topsail, a name that refers to beams and trusses of local sticks. It seems that Beach of Silence It was a name chosen by fishermen for the tranquility of the waters that served as a refuge to protect themselves from storms.
We also said that not so long ago, perhaps a decade and a half, it was a nude beach, precisely thanks to its isolation. But since tourism discovered it, thanks to the fact that the accesses to the coast have been improved or are on serial roads, that is already impossible. Fame also brings a bit of trouble and that translates into garbage. So please, we can enjoy nature but you always have to take the garbage home.
How to get to Playa del Silencio? Whether you arrive by car from Cantabria and Cudillero or from the south or Galicia, you have to take the Cantabrian Highway and get to Castañeras. The town is 16 kilometers west of Cudillero. The car does not leave you inside the beach but at its feet, so you leave it at the top of the cliff, at the top of the staircase that descends to the coast. The view is beautiful from this point, although the descent can be a bit scary because the slope is steep.
Don't worry about the path between the town and the beach, there are signs. Even if you go in high season or the day is beautiful and you fear that there are already people on the beach it is best to leave the car in town and walk. It takes no more than ten minutes on a dirt road. The beach is about 500 meters long and not too wide. Sand is scarce because it is a pebble beach so it is not a bad idea to bring strollers. Actually, you have to carry everything because it is not an organized beach: there are no restrooms, no beach bars and no place to rent umbrellas or sun loungers.
Playa del Silencio is shaped like a horseshoe, the cliffs around it are vertical, tall, gray and cracked, clad in pine trees and bushes. The appearance of the water varies according to the time of day and the sun brings out different brightness and tones. Sometimes deep blue, sometimes turquoise green. A beauty. And transparent, so stop swimming and diving or snorkeling it is perfect. What is there to see? Mussels, barnacles, maragotas, conger eels, bream, sea bass and merlos, among others.
It must be said that the best vantage point to contemplate this play of colors and the true shape of the beach is from above. The gazebo The top is the one that offers the best views of the beach, of the surrounding rocks and islets and also of the zigzagging stairs that outline the descending cliff. Also to the right is a rocky cove, La Caladoria, between green fields and the sea, a beautiful fusion.
When there is high tide the beach disappears and when there is low tide we can see a small sandy area known as El Riego, between the island of Sama to the west and Punta Gayuelos, to the east.If you are by car, Asturias is a beautiful place to visit on road trips. Being here at Playa del Silencio you can continue along the sea and visit Cabo Vidio with its lighthouse, Playa de Gueirúa, the Garita de Punta Borona and Novellana. These destinations are close and you are sure to like them. You can also stay to sleep or eat as there are many rural houses at your disposal.