Valdés, municipality (concejo) in Asturias, Spain
Valdés is an administrative division on the west coast of Asturias comprising 15 parishes spread across more than 170 villages and neighborhoods. The territory combines rocky coastline and beaches with inland mountains, valleys, and forests, while Luarca serves as the main settlement.
Valdés originated as a fishing community with medieval roots where maritime activity shaped economic life for centuries. In the 19th century, emigration to the Americas brought wealth that led to the construction of modernist and indianist architecture still visible in the settlements.
Valdés maintains strong fishing traditions that shape daily life in its coastal villages and are visible in how communities are organized around the sea. The white buildings of Luarca and the local festivals celebrating these customs show how deeply maritime heritage influences the local culture.
The area is accessible by car or public transport and offers walking trails along the coast and through valleys. Spring through autumn provides the best visiting conditions with stable weather, though services are more limited during winter months.
The Luarca Cemetery ranks among Spain's most beautiful cemeteries and is the burial place of Severo Ochoa, winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize in Medicine. This unexpected landmark combines local pride with scientific history in a way that often surprises visitors exploring the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
