The 60 kilometres between Gijón and Ribadesella, known as the Dinosaur Coast, features a remarkable series of finds from the Jurassic (199 to 145 million years ago). Although several dinosaur skeletons have been unearthed, including the most complete Ichthyosaur yet discovered, it is most famous for the series of some 500 dinosaur footprints (known as ichnites). These are reckoned to be the third best example in the world. Most notably, the prints of a monstrous herbivore, a species of Brachiosaurus, can be easily viewed on La Griega Beach, Colunga. They are among the largest ever found, so big you can happily sit inside them.

Just a couple of kilometres inland from the beach is the Museo Jurásico de Asturias, an excellent base to learn more about these beasts.