Playa de la Franca
Information
The Playa de la Franca, located on the stunning Asturian coast of Spain, is renowned for its extensive golden sands and striking rock formations. It features a river that flows into the sea, adding to its natural beauty. Visitors have described it as 'one of the most beautiful beaches in the area,' especially at low tide when breathtaking caves and small pools emerge to explore.
Some of the highlights of Playa de la Franca include:
- Beautiful, fine sandy beach ideal for swimming and relaxation.
- Great for family outings, equipped with facilities like restaurants and showers.
- Low tide offers stunning views and accessibility to nearby beaches and caves, such as Playa del Oso.
- Ample parking facilities available, although it can be limited during peak seasons.
However, some visitors have noted a few drawbacks:
- Parking can be a challenge; early arrival is recommended or consider public parking areas.
- The beach may get crowded during summer months, detracting from its tranquil charm.
- A few guests have expressed concerns regarding cleanliness and the impact of tourism on the local environment.
Overall, Playa de la Franca is a must-visit destination in Asturias, providing a perfect mix of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
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Below you will find 146 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
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Fantastic experience: To access Bear Beach, take the tides into account; if you don't go right at low tide, it cannot be visited.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic! Clean water... definitely visit and explore at low tide! In the river inlet, there are fish and crabs... here the world is still somewhat okay.
Fantastic experience: An UNFORGETTABLE beach. Immaculate. Beautiful views, good swimming, short distance to parking. Very calm in autumn. The only drawback was that we couldn't find showers or foot rinses.
Fantastic experience: Great place for swimming on SUPs or kayaks. Sandy, shallow beach, caves. Two paid parking lots - €2.5 and €4. There are also free spots that fill up quickly. On-site restaurant available.
Positive experience: The lack of parking and overcrowding put it at the bottom of the list.
Below you will find 13 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Positive experience: Possibly one of the most well-known in the area. Charming landscape. If the tide is low, you can walk many meters on fine sand and venture out to the open sea. Next to the parking lot, you can go down to the beach or take two short trails that gently rise for really beautiful elevated views; these end in cliffs, with views of the open sea, the interior of the beach, and at the mouth of the river with it. In summer months, it’s very crowded as it is ideal for children. No pets allowed.
Negative experience: A very nice place to spend a pleasant day, but I give it only one star because they do not allow dogs. Dogs have stopped being things legally to become sentient beings that are family members. Prohibiting them from entering is like prohibiting crying children from entering.
Positive experience: Plage interdite aux chiens même en laisse, panorama non accessible (la route finit dans un parking de camping). La zone fluviale contient des tiques. Ne pas marcher pieds nus au risque de marcher sur une abeille ou une guêpe de terre. Sinon c est joli.
Fantastic experience: Buenísima playa Lástima de gente que no empatiza con los perros, en cambio, yo debo de hacerlo con los griteríos de las familias, colillas de tabaco, envoltorios,.meadas de los anteriores en la playa.....y mil eteceras..................
Positive experience: Despite photos of dogs on the beach there are many signs saying no dogs! A pity as the beach is gorgeous.
Below you will find 92 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
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Fantastic experience: The vastness is surprising because at low tide the sandy area becomes very extensive, and its caves and galleries also add to its appeal.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, fine sand, the impressive cave is a must-see, it's amazing at low tide.
Fantastic experience: A beach that we really like, where a river flows in and there is a big change between tides, making it possible to see a cave among the rocks that can be accessed.
Fantastic experience: Maravillosa!!!...Espectacular...su arena fina y blanca...la cueva que puedes visitar siempre y cuando esté la marea baja...la conocí hace 15 años y hoy he vuelto a visitarla...no decepciona nunca!!!!
Fantastic experience: Una pasada de playa en Asturias. Bueno como muchas otras. Con marea baja puedes hacer un paseo entre cuevas, rocas, arena.
Below you will find 74 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
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Fantastic experience: It's a place to go to rest and relax, the weekend we went was rainy however we enjoyed it after escaping the hot summer of the city. There is a hotel and a campsite to stay very close to the beach, as well as a couple of restaurants and a supermarket.
Fantastic experience: Dreamy beach for swimming. Close to Llanes. It has free and paid parking and several beach bars with a hotel.
Fantastic experience: Clean and crystal clear water, a very large family beach with a beach bar right on the shore
Positive experience: Very difficult to park unless you pay or reserve in advance at some restaurant in the area.
Fantastic experience: What an amazing place. Wild beach with spectacular features. Rocks covered in coral with little life forms buzzing in the crevices, great restaurant options and thrashing waves.
Below you will find 8 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach with fine sand and clear water. There is free parking that fills up quickly because it has few spaces. There are two other paid parking lots, one further away (€2.50) and another (€4) practically at the beach. There is also a supermarket, a hotel, and several beach bars where it's advisable to make a reservation. Family-friendly beach that is very pleasant. It has showers and lifeguards. When the tide goes out, you can walk through the caves and access Bear Beach.
Positive experience: Muy buena playa con hotel, camping .3 restaurantes, socorrista, parking de pago, cuando baja la marea es más bonita y amplia. puedes ver las cuevas. al lado desembocadura del río cabra
Fantastic experience: Tranquila playa con vigilancia socorristas desde el mediodía. Servicio ducha a la entrada. Cuando baja la marea, se amplía la playa, a derecha e izquierda, ofreciendo un paseo espectacular entre caprichosas rocas. Destacable la cueva del Oso, a cuyo interior se puede acceder, para disfrute de grande y peques.
Fantastic experience: Con marea baja es perfecta para niños: charcas, piedras,grutas que explorar.Una preciosidad. Tiene socorrista y duchas
Positive experience: Una playa espectacular pero hay que ir tempranito para escoger un buen sitio. Los socorristas muy profesionales.
Below you will find 90 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
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Fantastic experience: Fantastic! Clean water... definitely visit and explore at low tide! In the river inlet, there are fish and crabs... here the world is still somewhat okay.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, perfect for walking and swimming. When the tide is low, some caves are exposed that invite exploration. A river with cool water flows into the beach...
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, the low tide is amazing and opens many caves and small pools.
Fantastic experience: Clean and crystal clear water, a very large family beach with a beach bar right on the shore
Fantastic experience: Preciosa playa. Muy grande y limpia. El agua estaba perfecta.
Below you will find 2 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Fantastic experience: Fantástico lugar para la práctica del Paddle Surf
Fantastic experience: La Playa de la Franca es un verdadero tesoro de la costa asturiana, ubicada en la localidad del mismo nombre, es un auténtico regalo para los sentidos. Situada en la desembocadura del río Cabra, marca el límite entre los concejos de Ribadedeva y Llanes, y se ha ganado a pulso el reconocimiento como uno de los arenales más bellos y accesibles de la costa cantábrica. La Franca es considerada un paisaje protegido, integrado en el Paisaje Protegido de la Costa Oriental de Asturias. Su entorno natural, con acantilados, dunas y vegetación autóctona, crea un marco incomparable para disfrutar de la naturaleza. Su peculiar forma triangular, con un amplio arenal de arena blanca y fina, la convierte en una playa única en la zona. En el centro del arenal se encuentra el islote de El Castrón, un pequeño refugio para las gaviotas que añade un toque de encanto al paisaje. En bajamar, La Franca conecta con otras calas como El Oso, El Viveru y Regorgueru, invitando a explorar la costa a pie. La Franca es ideal para disfrutar de un día de playa en familia, practicar deportes acuáticos como el surf o el paddle surf, o simplemente relajarse y tomar el sol. Su oleaje moderado y la amplia zona de baño la convierten en una playa segura, especialmente para los niños. Cuenta con todos los servicios necesarios, como duchas, aseos, socorrismo y zonas de aparcamiento. La Franca tiene una larga tradición turística que se remonta al siglo XIX, cuando contaba con un balneario marítimo.
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Below you will find 3 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Fantastic experience: Lugar idílico, las subidas y bajadas de marea permiten dar unos buenos paseos. Si te gusta el snorkel tiene muy buenos fondos. Un poco problemático para aparcar porque hay que pagar casi seguro para poder acceder. Playa con encanto si vas, repetiras.
Fantastic experience: Siempre que vamos al Norte es nuestra parada obligatoria! Espectacular tanto para hacer Snorkel como para pasar el día! Hermoso lugar con cuevas!
Fantastic experience: Una pequeña playa, muy segura, que tiene de todo. Cuevas, islas, ría, pesca, snorkel, rincones para pasear. Para mi la mejor de Asturias.
Below you will find 5 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Fantastic experience: ¡Espectacular, una playa cambiante! En bajamar, es muy divertida, para adentrarse entre las rocas y disfrutar de sus formas laberínticas (recomiendo llevar calzado de agua y linterna). En pleamar (¡ojo, que hay que estar atento a las recomendaciones!), para darse un baño muy agradable en su piscina naturales. Al lado hay un camping y unos bares con buenas vistas al mar. En verano, se paga parking a los "gorrillas" pero merece la pena, son muy agradables y te cuidan el coche todo el día. Con niños, una playa perfecta para pasar un día entretenido e inolvidable.
Fantastic experience: Muy divertida para los niños, con cuevas para investigar y rocas
Fantastic experience: Me parece una playa muy buena para ir con niños. Cuando baja la marea se descubre un paseo muy divertido, con pozas, rocas con cangrejos...
Fantastic experience: Outstanding beach. Naturally protected small bay. Very safe for kids. Mainly locals. Crowded at peak hours. Nice cave walking and rock diving to the East when tide goes down.
Fantastic experience: Sehr schöner Strand. Für Kinder bestens geeignet.Bei Ebbe Zugang zu diversen Höhlen.Es können Liegen und Sonnenschirme gemietet werden.Bei schönem Wetter werden die Liegen ab kurz nach zehn Uhr knapp.Es sind nur wenige vorhanden.Es gibt die Möglichkeit sich direkt am Strand Kajaks zu mieten.Dieverse Möglichkeiten Essen zu gehen.Am Haupteingang kleiner Supermarkt vorhanden
Below you will find 5 reviews on this topic from people who have recently visited Playa de la Franca.
Fantastic experience: Great place for swimming on SUPs or kayaks. Sandy, shallow beach, caves. Two paid parking lots - €2.5 and €4. There are also free spots that fill up quickly. On-site restaurant available.
Fantastic experience: Me gustó. Rodeada de naturaleza y con muchos sitios para explorar con los peques. Tiene tambien hamacas con sombrillas de alquiler y kayaks. Ademas está rodeada de restaurantes, chiringuitos y algun pequeño supermercado. No tiene mucho sitio de aparcamiento.
Positive experience: Bella spiaggia dove si possono noleggiare anche kayak. La spiaggia ha un accesso facile con i. Parcheggio giusto a 2 minuti a piedi.
Fantastic experience: Sehr schöner Strand. Für Kinder bestens geeignet.Bei Ebbe Zugang zu diversen Höhlen.Es können Liegen und Sonnenschirme gemietet werden.Bei schönem Wetter werden die Liegen ab kurz nach zehn Uhr knapp.Es sind nur wenige vorhanden.Es gibt die Möglichkeit sich direkt am Strand Kajaks zu mieten.Dieverse Möglichkeiten Essen zu gehen.Am Haupteingang kleiner Supermarkt vorhanden
Fantastic experience: Playa de arena flanqueada por montaña que permite un baño tranquilo. Se puede realizar actividades deportivas cómo el kayak. Camping a pie de playa. Difícil aparcar en días de sol donde hay mucha afluencia.
Playa de la Franca: Reviews
Fantastic experience: Fantastic
Fantastic experience: To access Bear Beach, take the tides into account; if you don't go right at low tide, it cannot be visited.
Fantastic experience: At low tide, it is an idyllic place to walk among its rocks. I like to visit it in autumn and spring.
Fantastic experience: Great place for a great day
Fantastic experience: Incredible. It's worth visiting.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic! Clean water... definitely visit and explore at low tide! In the river inlet, there are fish and crabs... here the world is still somewhat okay.
Fantastic experience: An UNFORGETTABLE beach. Immaculate. Beautiful views, good swimming, short distance to parking. Very calm in autumn. The only drawback was that we couldn't find showers or foot rinses.
Fantastic experience: Spectacular
Fantastic experience: For me, one of the most beautiful beaches in Asturias
Fantastic experience: Wide beach and you can walk among caves.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful and easily accessible beach!
Fantastic experience: It's a place to go to rest and relax, the weekend we went was rainy however we enjoyed it after escaping the hot summer of the city. There is a hotel and a campsite to stay very close to the beach, as well as a couple of restaurants and a supermarket.
Fantastic experience: Dreamy beach for swimming. Close to Llanes. It has free and paid parking and several beach bars with a hotel.
Fantastic experience: Super cool. It's worth going.
Fantastic experience: Great place for swimming on SUPs or kayaks. Sandy, shallow beach, caves. Two paid parking lots - €2.5 and €4. There are also free spots that fill up quickly. On-site restaurant available.
Positive experience: The lack of parking and overcrowding put it at the bottom of the list.
Fantastic experience: The most spectacular beach I have ever seen (when the tide is out)
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach. There are paid parking lots ranging from 2.5 to 4 euros.
Fantastic experience: A beautiful beach! Very enjoyable for a walk in the evening/night with the mist. Many gorgeous landscapes in Asturias!
Fantastic experience: The vastness is surprising because at low tide the sandy area becomes very extensive, and its caves and galleries also add to its appeal.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, perfect for walking and swimming. When the tide is low, some caves are exposed that invite exploration. A river with cool water flows into the beach...
Fantastic experience: Goonies Beach, with caves among the rocks that take you out to the sea. Amazing!
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, the low tide is amazing and opens many caves and small pools.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, fine sand, the impressive cave is a must-see, it's amazing at low tide.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful place, to relax and enjoy
Fantastic experience: Clean and crystal clear water, a very large family beach with a beach bar right on the shore
Fantastic experience: The BEST beach of Asturias
Fantastic experience: For those from the '80s. It's a beach worthy of 'The Goonies'.
Fantastic experience: One of the most charming beaches in Cantabria. It reminds me of the Beach of the Cathedrals.
Fantastic experience: Very beautiful beach with formations that may remind a bit of the Catedrales, there is a quite deep cave that can be easily accessed when the tide is low. Always with responsibility.
Fantastic experience: A beach that we really like, where a river flows in and there is a big change between tides, making it possible to see a cave among the rocks that can be accessed.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, good access from three different areas, parking in the area, one of them for a 'donation' of 2.50. Perfect for going with kids.
Positive experience: Very difficult to park unless you pay or reserve in advance at some restaurant in the area.
Positive experience: Very good, but at low tide you have to get in, but it's good to take a dip.
Fantastic experience: Piękna i spokojna plaża. Idealna dla rodzin z dziećmi.
Fantastic experience: Einer der schönsten Strände die ich je gesehen habe !
Fantastic experience: Maravillosa!!!...Espectacular...su arena fina y blanca...la cueva que puedes visitar siempre y cuando esté la marea baja...la conocí hace 15 años y hoy he vuelto a visitarla...no decepciona nunca!!!!
Fantastic experience: Una pasada de playa en Asturias. Bueno como muchas otras. Con marea baja puedes hacer un paseo entre cuevas, rocas, arena.
Fantastic experience: The small island you can see to your left, It looks like the cloistered island on the planet Ahch-To from Star Wars, where Luke hides in In The Force Awakens! Sure In daylight!!(I'm a Star Wars fan!)
Fantastic experience: Preciosa playa. Muy grande y limpia. El agua estaba perfecta.
Fantastic experience: Playa excelente con unas vistas maravillosas. Recomendable 100 X 100
Fantastic experience: With the low tide, it is very beautiful
Fantastic experience: I really liked a very beautiful beach
Fantastic experience: Don't miss this beach under any circumstances. It's beautiful. At low tide, you can walk and there are caves that connect with Bear Beach, beautiful.
Fantastic experience: Walking at low tide, highly recommended
Fantastic experience: Highly recommended. Especially at low tide to walk and see its caves and formations.
Positive experience: Beach with plenty of space for camping meals, plus it has free parking and paid parking (in my opinion, for the service it provides, it is expensive). And a parking lot for caravans and motorhomes, but it does not offer services like electricity or water. Aside from that, the beach is spectacular.
Fantastic experience: La Franca Beach is a beautiful beach located on the coast of Asturias, Spain. It is situated between mountains and forests, and has a stream that flows into the sea. It is a triangular beach with white sand, moderate waves, and a semi-urban environment that offers all services. At low tide, it's possible to access other nearby beaches and coves, such as El Oso, El Viveru, and Regorgueru. La Franca Beach has a long tourism tradition and is considered one of the most popular beaches in the area. It's an ideal place to enjoy a day of sun and beach in Spain!
Fantastic experience: Super place for relaxation
Fantastic experience: I was at this beach with the scouts (Águila Scout Group from Madrid) and the day was great, it was a bit cold (but it's Asturias). It's very beautiful and has many caves and rocks to climb and explore. It's lovely.
Fantastic experience: What a wonderful beach in eastern Asturias! Surrounded by greenery and rocks, clean, secluded and easily accessible.
Fantastic experience: What an amazing place. Wild beach with spectacular features. Rocks covered in coral with little life forms buzzing in the crevices, great restaurant options and thrashing waves.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, for a moment it feels like you're in Thailand.
Positive experience: Possibly one of the most well-known in the area. Charming landscape. If the tide is low, you can walk many meters on fine sand and venture out to the open sea. Next to the parking lot, you can go down to the beach or take two short trails that gently rise for really beautiful elevated views; these end in cliffs, with views of the open sea, the interior of the beach, and at the mouth of the river with it. In summer months, it’s very crowded as it is ideal for children. No pets allowed.
Fantastic experience: The best beach in the north
Fantastic experience: one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Be sure to explore the rocks on the right side, where there are beautiful nooks. I recommend at low tide.
Fantastic experience: There are several parking lots, €2.5 for the first one for the football club. Another one closer to the beach costs €4, with several beach bars and fine sand. Be careful with the tides, leave towels in a dry place, and there's a beautiful walk through the caves.
Fantastic experience: One of my favorite beaches on the Cantabrian coast. It changes completely according to the tide: when it recedes, it is possible to explore the adjacent coves that have a beautiful passage. It is a popular beach, but you still feel comfortable and it has good services, including a beach bar.
Fantastic experience: Magnificent beach, very large between the rocks and accessible campervan parking at the top. I would do it again without hesitation.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful and great memories, old and new
Fantastic experience: Wide beach, calm, family-friendly, with bars and a hotel next to the beach. Not dangerous at all.
Fantastic experience: Great for going with kids
Fantastic experience: A beautiful beach, very accessible from the motorway, spacious and quiet. It is definitely worth it. Next to it, there is a campsite and before arriving, the restaurant where you can eat wonderfully.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful and spacious beach. A river flows into it and there is a cave on the beach. Accessible and with plenty of parking. Highly recommended if you are in the area.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach with nice surprises. And you can park well there.
Fantastic experience: Mysterious beach, at low tide caves appear. A gem to discover
Fantastic experience: Super beautiful beach, best at low tide.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach, the only difficult thing is parking a bit, other than that everything is perfect.
Fantastic experience: Very nice beach... the downside is the parking... if you don't arrive early, you can't park, but if you pay 4 euros, you are guaranteed a spot for the whole day... highly recommended
Positive experience: The place is beautiful but it's a shame that it's polluted, we have to do something now, I am tired of hearing that many beaches and rivers are polluted, what are we going to leave for our children, grandchildren.....what a pity.
Fantastic experience: Super beautiful to see!
Negative experience: The concept of tourism in Spain continues to surprise me. La Franca beach must have been a beautiful sandy area among caves several decades ago. Today, however, it consists of a hole with a huge hotel and two campgrounds that is packed with people and cars everywhere. For those who like quiet places, better not to step here, at least during the holiday season. If we don't stop this, there won't be a place left without concrete in Spain.
Fantastic experience: Lovely beach. I have been visiting it for over 40 years and of course, I have seen it evolve from practically wild to today. At low tide, I recommend taking a walk on the rocks to the old seafood traps. But watch out for the rising tide as you could get stuck and have to swim back.
Negative experience: A very nice place to spend a pleasant day, but I give it only one star because they do not allow dogs. Dogs have stopped being things legally to become sentient beings that are family members. Prohibiting them from entering is like prohibiting crying children from entering.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful, better to go see it at low tide, as it connects to Bear Beach.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach between two elevations, with curious caves formed by the whims of the rocks. At low tide, there are about 300 meters to the shore. Very, very crowded.
Fantastic experience: AMAZING beach. You should arrive early to be able to park; if not, there is a paid parking where for 2 euros they watch over it. The beach is magnificent and there is a cave that you can't miss.
Fantastic experience: A very interesting beach, quite an experience. A long sand beach, especially when the water regresses… Beautiful scenery. The water is cold but very refreshing.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach with low tide, spacious and not crowded. The sea goes down a lot and the beach is safe; you need to go deep into the water for it to cover you. Surrounded by vertical cliffs and lots of vegetation. With low tide, you can enter its caves and reach another beach, the one of Oso. Very special and definitely one of the best in Asturias.
Fantastic experience: Simply a fabulous beach, perfect for swimming and visiting. In summer, there is a beach bar and two restaurants. Spacious free and paid parking.
Fantastic experience: It's worth going down to the beach. The union of the river with the beach is a beautiful sight. The beach is a delightful place, and you can enjoy it all day, alone, with friends, or with family. There is a very pleasant walk to get there, a place to park, and restaurants to eat. I recommend visiting it at low tide.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach with fine sand and clear water. There is free parking that fills up quickly because it has few spaces. There are two other paid parking lots, one further away (€2.50) and another (€4) practically at the beach. There is also a supermarket, a hotel, and several beach bars where it's advisable to make a reservation. Family-friendly beach that is very pleasant. It has showers and lifeguards. When the tide goes out, you can walk through the caves and access Bear Beach.
Negative experience: Maybe it's the most beautiful beach of Asturias, but after 30 minutes of searching for parking, we left. Too much people in August.
Fantastic experience: Summer time beach in Asturias.!!! Beautiful place to relax and enjoy with family and friends
Fantastic experience: Loved it! Lots of free or paid parking options ranging from 2,50€ to 4,00€. Plenty of places to eat and drink. The best of all - a wide, clean and picturesque beach with the finest sand.
Fantastic experience: Stunning beach, extremely clean, beautiful walks through rocks and caves during low tide. One of the best beaches visited so far.
Fantastic experience: Stunning sand beach large and deep with all equipment around to park, eat, shower… beach is clean The closer you park from the beach, the more expensive the parking lot from free to 4 euros. Best beach I have seen in Asturias, Galicia and pais vasco… well it certainly the most developed around
Fantastic experience: Love the white sands and the veautiful view
Fantastic experience: Outstanding beach. Naturally protected small bay. Very safe for kids. Mainly locals. Crowded at peak hours. Nice cave walking and rock diving to the East when tide goes down.
Fantastic experience: Beautiful beach with sand, caves and river meeting the sea. Cafe right near the beach as well as campsite with supermarket. Hotel overlooking the beach. Parking nearby, €4 a day.
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