Somao or Somado is a parish council of Pravia (Asturias), with a population of 330 inhabitants. It is located in the northern part of the municipality, 11 km from the capital, Pravia. The parish bounded on the north with Muros de Nalón; east and south with the parish of Santianes; southwest withVillafría; and west with Cudillero.
Somao is the perfect setting to discover the beauty of the central-western coast of Asturias. It should be noted that Cudillero, one of the most breath-taking fishing villages in the area, with hidden gems such as the French inspired Selgas Palace (XIX C.) in El Pito, include an important collection of paintings by the likes of Goya and El Greco among others. Nearby Cape Busto and Cape Vidio with their dramatic cliffs overlook the Cantabrian Sea, offering endless views of the Asturian coastline. Other alluring places worth mentioning are San Martín de Luiña, famous for its cows or the Santa Ana hermitage on Santa Ana mountain, where every July a traditional country meadow party is held.
The port of San Esteban de Pravia in Muros del Nalón council is very near Somao. Years ago this was where ships were loaded with the coal that came from the Asturian mountains. The old loading cranes are all that remain, like silent witnesses of the passing of time. Today, San Esteban has reinvented itself with an eye on the growing tourism in the area. While the attentive and thorough gastronomic offering reflects tradition, several restaurants in the area bring to the table elaborate and sophisticated proposals. At the end of the port we find the breakwater. In winter, the storms create one of the most impressive sights imaginable, with waves crashing against the concrete jetty.
And thanks to the new Cantabrian Motorway, Luarca in the council of Navia or the small charming fishing village of Puerto Vega, are just 30 minutes away by car. These are just a few of the many typical coastal villages easily accessed from Somao. In any one of these coastal towns and villages you can enjoy fresh seafood from the local restaurants and we are certain you be won’t disappointed.
There are a great number of beaches scattered along our coast which have been awarded Blue Flag status on account of the quality of its facilities, like Aguilar beach (Muros del Nalón), Los Quebrantos beach (Soto del Barco) o San Pedro de la Ribera beach (Cudillero). Other untouched beaches include Oleiros (Cudillero), Las Llanas (Muros del Nalón), or the marvellous playa del Silence (beach of silence) in Cudillero.
Although Somao faces the sea it hasn’t forgotten its lush countryside. A short drive brings you to the Asturian mountains with chestnuts, winding country roads and farm villages off the beaten track and far from the noise and bustle. Pravia, Sales and Candamo counties hide beautiful gems: pre-romanesque chapels, like those found in Santianes de Pravia, monasteries of pilgrimage like the one in San Salvador en Cornellana (Salas), medieval palaces like the Doriga Palace or the Valdés Palace (Salas), cave paintings like those of The peña de Candamo Carven. Or why not just lose yourself along the sleepy country roads that weave through the treasured forests of beech and chestnut.
Here gastronomy takes on a new meaning. The local produce is grown and raised traditionally making for top quality products which are highly regarded: beans, greens, the famed Pravia peas, the kiwis of Nalón valley, strawberries of Candamo, the salmon of the Narcea and Nalón rivers or the “culona” calves and lambs that pasture in these counties. Some of the most typical dishes are prepared using these ingredients such as cabbage stew, “cachopo” (a breaded steak, ham and cheese combination), stuffed onions, “frixuelos” (Asturian crepes), rice pudding and of course the renowned bean stew called fabada.
Activities: from the same household, many activities can performed, such as horse riding, trekking, canoe, quad biking, surfing, diving, golf or fishing. We have all the necessary information. In turn, the region of low Nalón has a wide cultural and gastronomic offer.