In the sterling roster of the most beautiful pueblos en España is a quaint fishing hamlet with a charming yet most active puerto, which has continued to keep the local economy vigorous through the centuries. The name: Lastres.

From an up-high vantage point known as La Vista de San Roque, we feasted on a picturesque fishing communal by the northern coast of Spain en la provincia de Asturias. Nestled against the backdrop of the Cantabrian Sea, this rustic township is renowned for its stunning coastal views and a strong sense of community rooted in angling practices.

A point of interest was a marker which commemorated the visit of the Principe y Princesa de Asturias, which is considered the counterpart of United Kingdom’s Prince and Princess of Wales, in terms of genealogy.

As we meandered through the narrow and winding cobblestoned alleys — one-way streets only for compact European cars — we marveled at the well-preserved architecture, which embodied the rich historical and cultural heritage and reflected the region’s maritime traditions. Many of these structures date back to the 19th century, which shows their development during a period of increased maritime activity.

The uncannily attached-to-one-another homes — most sharing walls and seemed they were built even before the streets came into existence — reminded me of las casas colgadas de Cuenca. But this time, they cascaded all the way to the coast.

Oh yes, each one possessed a gorgeous flower box prettier than the next, a welcoming balcony where inhabitants would pass the time admiring the unobstructed view of la playa y el mar. Due to absence of fences and the proximity to the pedestrians, we were even tempted to peep into one of the open windows to have a chat with the owner!

A constant fixture of their skyline — although it is less pronounced than others, due to the terrain’s sloping nature — was the Torre del Reloj, a majestic clock tower on a hill. Initially built to serve as a visual beacon, it likewise functions as their plaza and center, where the townsfolk gather for social events.

It has since become a popular tourist destination due to its vantage point and a sweeping vista of the bay. We made a required stopover to rest, as we constantly detoured to spot the grass-is-always-greener fairytale-like homes. But we were glad we whimsically lost our way!