Salinas Beach, Sandy beach in Castrillón, Spain.

Salinas Beach is a broad crescent of fine golden sand stretching over 2,500 metres along the coast of Castrillón, Asturias. A 2,000-metre promenade runs the length of the shore, leading to the Philippe Cousteau Anchor Museum and a 360° viewpoint above the cliffs. The beach is known for its strong waves, with more sheltered swimming areas at either end.

The bay was long used by local fishermen before the town of Salinas grew into a summer retreat for inland families during the 20th century. That shift brought new infrastructure to the shore and turned what had been a working coast into a popular destination.

Salinas Beach hosts the VANS Salinas Longboard Festival, which has reached its sixteenth edition and brings surfers and spectators for exhibitions, concerts and performances. In the nearby Arnao tunnel, the two-day Túnel Festival closes the seafront promenade for live music and images projected onto the mountainside and the tunnel itself. The Songs for a Ewan Day festival is held in the pine wood beside the beach.

The beach is easy to reach on foot from the center of Salinas, and parking is available near the main access points, along with showers and restrooms. Crowds tend to build up as the day goes on during summer, so an early morning visit gives you more space and cooler conditions.

The VANS Salinas Longboard Festival takes place on this beach each year, drawing surfers from across northern Spain and beyond for competitions and live demos. What many visitors do not know is that this bay is one of the few spots on the Asturian coast that regularly produces waves long enough for longboard surfing.