Nicknamed “Green Spain” , the Principality of Asturias is a region in the north of Spain famous for its unspoiled nature but also for its artistic heritage and gastronomy. They are an autonomous community representing “the Spain you don’t expect”. Natural parks, turquoise lakes, superb mountains, rugged coasts and long sandy beaches … In fact, its landscape is more reminiscent of Ireland and Scotland than hot Spain! An oasis of relaxation, peace, silence and nature. A region still little known where the activities you can do are really numerous.
Let ‘s find out what to see in Asturias : cities and attractions not to be missed!
Main cities and attractions
1 – Oviedo
The capital of Asturias , as well as the second most populated city in the Principality, also stands out for being one of the most beautiful and is famous for being named one of the cleanest Spanish cities. A city with a long history, Oviedo mixes the charm of the past with the modernity of clubs, crowded streets and a fun evening life.
In its historic center, almost entirely in medieval style, there are curious and bizarre sculptures at every corner. Also in the center are the most important monuments of the city such as the Cathedral of San Salvador, an imposing Gothic cathedral with a high bell tower among the famous of Spain and the Campoamor Theater, where the famous Prince of Asturias is celebrated. Also not to be missed is the Iglesia de Santa Maria del Naranco, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the baroque palace of the Count of Toreno.
To immerse yourself in the lively daily atmosphere, you need to start from Plaza del Fontan , in the heart of the historic center. Here it is in fact possible to witness the city life and taste the local delicacies in the restaurants and market stalls.
2 – Gijon
The most populated city of Asturias and withmost beautiful beaches in northern Spain , and a combination of sea, nature and a very large monumental ensemble. Surrounded by green landscapes, rugged cliffs and wild beaches, it is a location that took on its importance thanks to the Catholic Monarchs .
The historic center is formed by the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing district of Cimadevilla. Among the various places, in the first place, the Roman baths of Campo Valdes must certainly be mentioned , built by the Romans around 100 AD. used to create hot and cold areas. To deepen the culture of the place a lot, the Museu del Pueblu d’Asturieswhich contains traces of local traditions explaining what life was like in this region in past centuries.
3 – Aviles
Photo of Carlossuarezgonzalez. Located in the central area of ​​the Asturian coast, west of the Penas promontory, Aviles is the third most important city in the Principality of Asturias.
Its historic center has been declared a Historic-Artistic-Monumental Complex and hosts authentic jewels of civil and religious architecture. Among its attractions are the pedestrian streets of Galiana and Rivero, the Plaza de Espana with the Town Hall, the ancient 13th century church of Sabugo and the modern one dedicated to Santo Tomas de Canterbury. Equally worthy are the palaces of Valdecarzana and Camposagrado, and the Palacio Valdes theater.
Aviles is also the most important fishing port in Asturias. In 1980 the new fishing pier and the Virgen de las Mareas fishermen’s association were inaugurated where the auction takes place during which almost 70% of the fish products caught are sold
. 4 – Cudillero
Small and picturesque seaside village perched on a mountainside, it is one of the most fascinating destinations in Asturias.
Its peculiarity are the brightly colored houses , firmly clinging to the towering cliffs that fall sheer to the harbor. The city, with a long maritime tradition, is one of the best gastronomic destinationsof the region: to try, among the many specialties, the seafood dishes. It is worth watching the arrival of the boats with the catch of the day to fully immerse yourself in the seafaring atmosphere of this pretty town.
An excursion is recommended to reach numerous viewpoints : the lighthouse, La Garita, La Atalaya and El Pico. The two most important buildings in the town are the Gothic-style parish church which houses majestic Baroque statues and the Humilladero chapel, the oldest building in the village.
5 – Picos de Europa Park Spain’s
first national parkestablished in 1995. Developed in an area divided between Asturias, Cantabria and the Province of Leon, the Picos de Europa Park is one of the most fascinating territories in Spain.
Due to the variety of its flora and fauna, in 2002 it was included by Unesco in the List of Biosphere Reserves . Here it is in fact possible to admire the most beautiful Atlantic woods in Spain, thanks to the massive presence of trees such as maples, oaks, chestnuts, walnuts and an equally varied fauna which includes, among the various species, the wolf, the bear, the roe deer, the capercaillie and several other types of birds.
Entering the territory of the picos there are numerous viewpoints from which to admire magical views. One of the best is that of Punta ‘I Pozu, near Ribadesella, known because it belongs to the ancient Path of the Dinosaurs. From this point you can in fact see the footprints of the mammoth animals of Prehistory. There are also various sporting activities to practice . A canoe descent along the Sella river, a trek that leads to Pico Pienzu and another path that leads to the Mirador de Entrelagos, located between the lakes of Enol and Ercina.
6 – Holy cave of Covadonga
The Holy cave of Covadonga is a Catholic sanctuary built in a cave on Mount Auseva in the village of Cangas de Onis. There are numerous places of worship and tradition
in this area. The characteristic Santa Cueva is the place of the alleged apparition, still preserved with one of the last European black madonnas. It is a small church carved into the rock and, at the foot, there is a waterfall. In the pond below, the Fountain of the Seven Dogs which is said to bring good luck to girls. Those who drink the water should in fact get married within the year.
The nearby village of Covadonga takes its name from the Latin Cova dominica, which means “Grotto of the Madonna”. In the town there is the imposing and more modern Basilica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga. Completed in the twentieth century, it is in neo-Romanesque style and is noted for its pink color.
7 – Playa del Silencio
Photo by C.lingg. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Northof Spain and among the most beautiful in Europe. Located just outside the small village of Castaneras, along the Asturian coast, 15km west of Cudillero. It is a strip of silver sand bathed by the Cantabrian Sea and protected by an impervious half-moon shaped cliff. As the name suggests, in Playa del Silencio, silence is guaranteed , as well as the wild landscape and unspoiled nature.
From the village the beach can be reached easily on foot or by parking at the entrance to the dirt road. From here proceed towards the enclosure until you see the beach. Here the long staircase startswhich descends to this silent wonder; a bumpy path along the rock face. A bit tiring but, in the end, the show makes up for the effort.
8 – Parque Natural de Somiedo
Photo by Tanja Freibott. Declared a Natural Park in 1988, and the first of the areas of the Principality of Asturias to have received this distinction. Somiedo Natural Park extends over five valleys and is one of the most rugged landscapes in Asturias , with slopes ranging from 400 to 2,200 meters.
The territory boasts exceptional geological characteristics , which give rise to spectacular shapes, but the exceptional element in its landscape and the beauty of the lakes, designated “natural monument”. THETraditional farming methods in the area are considered an example of sustainable living and were a factor in the designation of the UNESCO park as a Biosphere Reserve in 2000 . Of particular interest is the ubiquitous brana, or mountain meadows, a traditional system of livestock farming based on transhumance. Typical branas buildings are used not only for agricultural purposes but also as a tourist attraction.
The park is also a stronghold of the Cantabrian brown bear and in 1989 the European Union designated the park as a special protection area for birds.
9 – Enol Lakes
Photo by Xandra Gixela. The Enol lakes are the two lakes Enol and Ercina, located in the Asturian part of the Picos de Europa. They are also known as “Covadonga lakes”, although Covadonga is actually 10 km away. The two lakes have very similar characteristics due to the same glacial origin and the same geographical position. Both lakes are in fact separated from each other by a distance of less than 40 meters.
Lake Enol is located at 1,000 meters above sea level, in the central Cornion massif. It has a maximum depth of 25 meters, a maximum length of 750 meters and a width of about 400 meters. It is one of the main attractions of the area , since it is possible to swim and dive. A reproduction of the Virgin of Covadonga is submerged in Lake Enolwhich, every September 8, is taken out to be carried in procession. Lake Ercina , on the other hand, is smaller in size, as is its capacity.
The road leading to the lakes is a climb well known by the cycling world for its toughness and for having been included in many editions of the Vuelta a Espana since 1983.
10 – Playa de San Lorenzo
The largest urban beach in Asturias. This shell-shaped beach is the largest, most historic and emblematic of Gijon . It is located within the urban core, very close to the center; the Cimadevilla district separates it from the Poniente beach, and is bordered by a promenadevery popular. The latter, almost 3 kilometers long, is known as El Muro and develops from the Church of San Pedro to the Mayan de Tierra.
Due to its “city” position, the Playa de San Lorenzo is well equipped . Sports enthusiasts can go surfing, kayaking or windsurfing here. There are also areas set up for playing beach volleyball and beach soccer.
The main itineraries in Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is the ideal place to practice excursions on foot, by canoe and by bicycle , to discover green landscapes and welcoming villages. You can immerse yourself in nature and beautiful villages, experiencing an unforgettable holiday. Here are the main itineraries:
- Major cities of Asturias in 3 days : Rent a car at the airport and reach Aviles, at the mouth of the river. The next day, move to Gijon, a seaside resort in the Bay of Biscay, about 45 minutes away. Finally, visit Oviedo, the capital, just 25 minutes from Gijon and 35 from the airport.
- Long weekend in Asturias : From the airport, drive to Oviedo by car. Spend a day and then in an hour you reach Playa de Gulpiyuri, a place with unique characteristics. On the same day, visit Ribadesella just 18 min. The next day, move to Gijon, about 50 minutes away. After Gijon, spend the fourth day in Aviles, which is approximately 25 min. The trip ends at Spiaggia Del Silenzio, about 37 min from Aviles and 23 min from the airport.
- The true essence of Asturias in 7 days : first day in the quaint village of Taramundi, about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the airport and then move to the beach of silence, located 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. On the second day you reach Aviles just 37 minutes by car. On the third day, visit Gijon, less than half an hour by car. On the fourth day enjoy Ribadesella at 45 min by car and playa de Gulpiyuri at 18 min by car. On the fifth day, reach the Enoi lakes just over an hour’s drive from the coast. On the sixth day, with an hour and a half car journey, you reach Oviedo. On the seventh day, dedicate it to Somiedo Natural Park which is an hour’s drive from both Oviedo and the airport.
Tours and excursions in Asturias
Do-it-yourself Asturias: flights, costs and tips
The best time to travel to the Principality of Asturias is the summer, since from July to September the climate is particularly favorable, with maximum temperatures up to 22 ° and cost of airline tickets starts from € 100.00.
In the low season, however, from November to March around, ticket costs go down to € 60.00, but in this case it must be considered that although the cold is not harsh, rainfall is frequent.
For an even more suggestive experience in this portion of Green Spain, it is preferable to stay in some Rural House and rent a carto move freely. In fact, in recent times, tourist facilities in the region are making a great effort to welcome those visitors curious to know the natural wonders of Asturias in a comfortable and special way.
- Minimum period for a tour in Asturias : 7 days
- Recommended cities for base : Oviedo, Guijon, Aviles, Llanes
- How to get around : the best vehicle is the rental car. Another interesting choice is to travel aboard tourist trains, such as the Transcantabrico, which stops at the main places of interest
- Flights : from Italy it is better to make a stopover in Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, or land in Santander (Cantabria) and then reach Oviedo by train (tickets starting from € 20.00, duration 3 h) – compare flights
- Accommodations and accommodations : try the beautiful and comfortable Rural Houses, where you will have a total immersion in the vivid nature that characterizes this region – compare accommodations on Booking.com
Travel informed: useful information and necessary documents
- Inhabitants : 1.022 million
- Capital : Oviedo
- Languages : Spanish and Asturian (Asturian)
- Local currency : euro (€)
- Climate : cool and humid influenced by the Atlantic ocean. Mild and rainy winters, cool and quite sunny summers. Wind and fog are frequent. Quite abundant rainfall (around 1,000 mm per year) especially from October to May
- Distance from Italy : 1,991 km (minimum 7 hours with 1 or more stopovers) from Rome to the capital
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Where is it
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of northern Spain , made up of a single province, of which the heir to the Spanish throne and traditionally “prince”. It borders to the west with Galicia, to the east with Cantabria, to the south with Castile and Leon and to the north and bathed by the Cantabrian Sea. With an area of ​​about 10,000 sq km, Asturias has a great variety and diversity of places : from high and steep mountains to jagged coasts, alternating with long and popular ocean beaches.
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January 5/14 ° 12 days / 85 mm
February 6/14 ° 11 days / 80 mm
March 7/15 ° 11 days / 75 mm
April 9/16 ° 12 days / 90 mm
May 11/18 ° 11 days / 70 mm
June 14/20 ° 7 days / 55 mm
July 16/23 ° 6 days / 45 mm
August 17/23 ° 8 days / 60 mm
September 15/22 ° 8 days / 70 mm
October 12/19 ° 11 days / 105 mm
November 8/16 ° 13 days / 125 mm
December 6/14 ° 13 days / 105 mm
- Best period : from July to early September, the temperatures are more pleasant and the days sunnier. The rains are less frequent although it can often be cloudy
- Period to avoid : autumn and winter, due to low temperatures, but above all due to rainfall and disturbances coming from the Atlantic
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