Tazones

Tazones is a coastal village in Villaviciosa where stone buildings with colored wooden balconies line streets that slope toward the Bay of Biscay. The layout clusters homes, restaurants, and fishing infrastructure near the waterfront, with paths continuing along the shoreline.

The village gained prominence in 1517 when a storm forced Emperor Charles V to land at its port, making it his first arrival in Spain. This unexpected event established the place in royal memory before his reign began.

The residents here have sustained fishing traditions visible in how neighborhoods are organized around boat access and maritime work. Daily life flows between harbor and home, reflecting centuries of connection to the sea.

Visit when seas are calm to fully enjoy the coastal paths and waterfront restaurants that are most active during daylight hours. Wear sturdy walking shoes since streets are steep and narrow as they descend toward the harbor.

One house carries a name derived from its striking exterior completely covered in shells of varying sizes arranged in patterns across the walls. Most visitors photograph this unusual sight without knowing the maritime tradition that inspired this decorative practice.