Valdés is a Council of the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, whose capital is Luarca. Located in western Asturias, and with a surface area of 353.5 $km^2$, it is among the most extensive municipalities in the region. It is bordered to the north by the Cantabrian Sea, to the south by the councils of Salas and Tineo, to the east by Cudillero, and to the west by Navia and Villayón.
The council comprises 15 parishes, 6 on the coast and 9 inland.
It has an approximate population of 10,700 inhabitants (2019), of whom some 5,000 reside in the town of Luarca. Its economy is based on fishing, trade, tourism, livestock farming, and agriculture.
The terrain is rugged, especially in the interior, where there are wide valleys on the banks of the River Esva. Its temperate-humid climate features mild average temperatures.
Luarca has been linked to the sea since its origin, with its fishing fleet being one of the most important and prominent in western Asturias. It is divided into two clearly distinct areas: the oldest, situated around the mouth of the River Negro, comprises ancient fishing neighbourhoods such as La Pescadería or El Cambaral; and the bourgeois Luarca, which extends along the banks of the River Negro, where examples of eclectic architecture from the first half of the 20th century can be observed.
One of the council’s mottos is “The Sea, the River and the Mountain”, as these three elements influence our way of life: culture, customs, gastronomy, etc. In 2019, the 25th anniversary of the death of Mr Severo Ochoa de Albornoz (1905-1993) was commemorated; a scientist from Luarca awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1959. In tribute to his legacy, the tourism slogan “Luarca, Nobel Town” was created.
| Admission to the Smart Tourism Destinations Programme |
Luarca-Valdés se incorporó en la Red DTI en diciembre de 2025y ha obtenido el Informe Diagnóstico y Plan de Acción para la transformación en Destino Turístico Inteligente en marzo de 2026 |
| Outstanding initiatives |
- Implementation of the technological Augmented Reality App system for the surroundings of the Castro de Peña Castiel and the La Atalaya artillery battery, both located in Luarca.
This project allows visitors to see an animated virtual recreation of these spaces and their surroundings via their mobile phones. Through informative and tourism panels at each location, a QR code can be downloaded for direct access to the web application. This project is part of the Valdés Tourism Sustainability Plan.
- Implementation of the Inventrip interactive guide: This is a digital guide to discovering this council on the western coast of Asturias. It allows for the location of places and points of interest of tourism and cultural value, the positioning of hospitality establishments, and provides the user with the opportunity to organise and personalise their trip.
- Implementation of the Virtual Reality system: This offers the possibility of entering the laboratory of the scientists Mr Severo Ochoa (Nobel Prize in Medicine) and Ms Margarita Salas (a disciple of Severo Ochoa), both born in Luarca-Valdés, through an innovative project. By using interactive glasses, visitors to the House of Arts and Sciences can carry out experiments similar to those performed by these world-renowned figures from our council, whilst following explanations in the scientists’ own voices as guides for the experience. With this initiative, Valdés Town Council reinforces its commitment to bringing science closer to everyone who visits the House of Arts and Sciences in Luarca.
- Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan 2023-2026, financed with Next Generation EU funds.
Municipality associated with the Smart Tourism Destinations Network since March 2026.
Luarca-Valdés, a benchmark in Asturias for Sports Tourism. Luarca-Valdés has established itself as the “European Town of Sport 2025”.
- Creation of road and mountain bike (MTB) routes, allowing for a connection with nature whilst enjoying both the best-known and lesser-known resources across the entire Valdés territory.
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Technical data
VAT number:
P3303400J Address: Plaza Alfonso X EL Sabio Postal code: 33700 Telephone: 985640234 Region: Principado de Asturias Province:
Asturias Population:
Luarca Country:
España Local entity type: Ayuntamiento Date of membership:
20251218 Diagnosis: Sí Destination Type:
Urbano marítimo Population:
10,700 Area (km²):
20.20 Density (inhab/km²):
31.00
Level in the Network: Nivel 2