If there’s one thing Spain can be proud of, it’s its coastal geography. Practically surrounded by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Cantabrian Sea, our country has more than 7,000 kilometers of coastline with all kinds of shores, shores, bays and bays of different sizes, landscapes and colors.

The diversity and richness of beaches is so great that Spain has another title: It has the smallest beach in the world. It’s so small travels from one end to the other in one minute. Of course, it has a unique beauty.

Located in northern Spain, near the town of Llanes on the Asturias coast, the coastline of Gulpiyuri beach is only 40 meters long and its depth does not exceed one meter. However, what makes it so special is not its size, but the fact that it is directly connected to the ocean, even though it is 100 meters away. Like? When the tide sets in, through a phenomenon called drainage.

This occurs due to his origin and education. As the Spanish Institute of Geology and Mining explains, this beach was formed naturally. erosive force of the seaSomehow, it carved away the rocky limestone surrounding the beach until it formed underground caves. Over the years, this roof collapsed, allowing the Cantabrian Sea to enter through a 50-meter hole between two rocks connecting Gulpiyuri to the beach, leaving the stagnant waters in an almost circular and enclosed mini-beach.

That’s why its Asturian name means “circle of water”. In fact, it is a beach where you cannot see the sea and its waves, and it resembles a lake rather than a traditional beach that we can find in Valencia or Alicante. And its shore looks more like a Celtic-style pool.

full of tourists

It should also be noted that reaching this residential area is undoubtedly challengeSince it is located west of San Antolín de Bedón beach and to get there you have to follow the coastal road west or from the town of Naves and then go down a flight of stairs from the cliffs, so it is necessary to walk a bit to get there.

Also, another disadvantage is that, despite its small size and difficulty in getting around (there is not even parking nearby), it is usually always full of people. Due to its fame, it is one of the most popular beaches for visitors in Asturias, so going fairly early in the morning to find a spot is almost a must. It should also be noted that there are no shuttles near this beach, so you should bring enough supplies to get you through the day and stay hydrated. And above all, go during high tide, because at low tide the water can disappear.

The reason why people come here is obvious: It is the “smallest beach in the world”. It was this feature that attracted media attention: “Judging by the volume of inquiries and the influx observed at the tourist office, Interest in Gulpiyuri increased It has increased exponentially in the last three or four years, probably as a result of previous publications calling it ‘the smallest in the world’ and various reports from the east coast of Asturias highlighting this,” explained Mario García, technician from the Municipal Office of Llanes Tourism, this In the traveler article.

Not only that. It is also a point of attraction for tourists because it was declared a Natural Monument by the Principality of Asturias in 2001 due to its beauty and belonging to the protected landscape of the east coast. A view where you can see the waters of the Cantabrian Sea on one side and green meadows and forests on the other.

The closest village to this inland beach is the municipality of Naves, which also has other attractions such as the church of San Antolín de Bedón, a 13th-century Benedictine temple, and traditional hórreos and paneras, ancient Asturian granaries. Also by the clowns of the coast, geysers gushing from cliffs When the sea crashes hard and the tide rises. An event that causes water to jump over breakwaters, creating a dramatic effect.

But Gulpiyuri is not the only small beach in our country. In Buelna, also in Llanes, there is its twin: Cobijeru beach. It is also circular in shape, approximately 40 meters long, and surrounded by meadows, caves and forests. Its waters have a depth of 1 meter and it has been declared a Natural Monument. Neither beach is an ideal place for those who want to sunbathe, but for those who want to dive into the purest nature of Spain.

Pictures | Llanes

in Xataka | Europe’s largest crossroads is in Extremadura, in the middle of nowhere. And it’s 1.3 kilometers long

in Xataka | A town in Salamanca is honing lithium to become Europe’s main mine. And one company wants to capitalize on it

*An earlier version of this article was published in July 2023.