On the banks of the Nalón River and next to an epic castle, there is a tiny town that has been forgotten by tourist guides and even Google maps. If you look in the famous search engine, El Castillo appears as a medieval fortress and not as the charming fishing village that it really is. The advantage? That maintains its traditional Asturian essence without tourists involved.
El Castillo or El Castilu, as it is known in Asturias, is a tiny village of 50 houses belonging to the parish of Soto del Barco. This fishermen's corner stands next to the Nalón River, between narrow, labyrinthine streets full of air-drying fish, fishing tools and dilapidated boats on the shore that are accessed by artisanal wooden piers.
The entire town converges on the same point: the Castillo de San Martín at the top of the hill. This medieval jewel restored in the 15th century was built by order of Alfonso III in the 8th-9th centuries on an ancient Roman fortress that, in turn, was built on a Castro from the first and second Iron Ages. Today, its walls with battlements, the masonry wall and the square tower remain standing.
Although the castle is private, we can admire it from outside. With these views and a walk through the little town, we have a beautiful weekend getaway to disconnect. Keep in mind that the village has no bars or restaurants, so it's best to bring a sandwich or take the opportunity to eat in Soto del Barco, the closest large town.
