Asturias Travel Guide
Region
Green mountains, rugged coastline and cider houses define Asturias; tourists come for Oviedo and Gijón, the Picos de Europa trails, Covadonga’s lakes, and hearty dishes like fabada and sidra poured at local sidrerías.
Why Visit Asturias #
Asturias’s Picos de Europa offer limestone peaks, deep gorges and classic routes like the Cares Gorge walk between Cain and Poncebos. Trails can be steep and dramatic, rewarding hikers with alpine lakes and remote mountain villages. The range feels raw and less crowded than the Pyrenees; bring durable footwear.
Drinking sidra the Asturian way is a mini performance: pour from height to oxygenate and taste between sips. Visit a traditional sidrería in Oviedo or cider houses in the countryside to watch the ritual and pair it with fabada asturiana. It’s convivial, messy fun that locals still take seriously.
The Lakes of Covadonga, set beneath cathedral-like peaks, are a compact alpine escape with pilgrimage history and pristine walking paths. Summer mornings bring hikers and cyclists, while the shrine and basilica add spiritual context. The setting is intimate and photogenic, especially when clouds sit low in the cirque.
Asturias’s coastline mixes pebble coves, surfing beaches at Rodiles and fishing towns like Llanes with handsome stone harbors. Try fresh northern Spanish seafood and walk cliff-top trails for ocean views without the Mediterranean crowds. The coast feels authentic-local markets, old fishing methods and steady waves.
Eat fabada asturiana, a rich bean and pork-stew, at traditional restaurants and follow up with grilled sea bass or centollo (spider crab) on the coast. Food here is straightforward and rooted in local produce; seek out taverns frequented by residents rather than obvious tourist spots. Meals are generous and satisfying.
Who's Asturias For?
Cudillero’s pastel houses and quiet coastal walks near Oviedo make Asturias a very romantic choice; shared cider at a small sidrería and sunset cliffs create intimate, slow-paced escapes.
Families enjoy safe beaches around Gijón, interactive sea museums and gentle hikes in the Picos de Europa foothills; child-friendly seafood and short nature trails keep children entertained.
Budget travelers can hike the Picos trails and sleep in mountain refuges, explore Oviedo on foot and sample cheap sidrerías, though hostels are smaller than in major Spanish cities.
Oviedo and Gijón have decent cafés and reasonable internet, but coworking options are limited and rural valleys lack infrastructure, so nomads often base themselves in the cities.
Asturias is a culinary highlight: try fabada, local Cabrales cheese and sidra pouring culture in small cider houses. Coastal seafood and hearty mountain dishes are regional standouts.
The Picos de Europa offer serious hiking and via ferrata routes, plus canyoning and sea kayaking along the rugged coast; good for outdoorsy travelers who like varied terrain.
Nightlife is low-key outside university nights in Oviedo and Gijón; expect cozy bars rather than clubbing - great for late tapas and cider but not for all-night raves.
Asturias’ green mountains, dramatic coastline and biodiverse Picos landscapes reward nature lovers with waterfalls, limestone gorges and wildlife watching far from mass tourism.
Best Places to Visit in Asturias
All Cities ›
Where to Go in Asturias #
Central Asturias
Central Asturias combines the region’s main urban centres with easy access to countryside and coast. Oviedo offers a graceful historic core and bustling cider bars, while Gijón brings a sand-and-sea dynamic. This area is ideal for mixing city culture with short day trips to nearby seaside villages and nature.
Top Spots
- Oviedo - Compact capital with pre-Romanesque churches and a lively sidra scene.
- Gijón - Seaside city with beaches, maritime quarter and cultural events.
- Avilés - Historic port and pleasantly restored old town.
Picos Mountains
The Picos de Europa dominate western Asturias with soaring limestone peaks, glacial lakes and steep valleys ideal for hiking and climbing. Mountain passes, remote refuges and traditional villages create a rugged playground for active travellers. Expect cool air, dramatic scenery and plentiful walking routes.
Top Spots
- Cangas de Onís - Ancient bridge town gateway to dramatic peaks.
- Covadonga - Lakes and shrine tucked under jagged mountains.
- Sotres - High-mountain village with alpine trails.
Coastal Villages
Asturias’ coast is a string of fishing villages, hidden coves and dramatic sea cliffs that reward slow exploration. Fresh seafood, tidal beaches and atmospheric harbours like Cudillero make this area irresistible. Surf spots and scenic drives along the Cantabrian coast are the highlights.
Top Spots
- Cudillero - Picture-perfect fishing harbour stacked with colourful houses.
- Llanes - Lively coastal town with a long promenade and beaches.
- Ribadesella - Surf-friendly beaches and prehistoric cave art nearby.
Western Asturias
Western Asturias blends rugged coastline with verdant inland valleys and artisanal traditions. It’s less touristy, with walking trails, small forging and textile villages, and calmer beaches. Travelers seeking nature, craft culture and fewer crowds will find the west rewarding and refreshingly authentic.
Top Spots
- Rías Baixas border - Untamed coastline with quiet coves.
- Taramundi - Crafts and traditional mills in a green valley.
- Tapia - Surf town with dramatic sunsets.
Top Things to Do in Asturias
All Attractions ›
Planning Your Trip to Asturias #
Weekend Asturias Itinerary
Explore Asturias' coast and mountains: Oviedo's charm, Covadonga Lakes, Cangas de Onís, and Llanes beaches, tasting cider and Asturian cuisine along the way.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Oviedo; walk Old Town, Cathedral, sample cider in Calle Gascona.
- Day 2 - Drive to Cangas de Onís and Covadonga Lakes; short hikes by the lakes.
- Day 3 - Coastal morning in Llanes; afternoon at Playa de Torimbia; return to Oviedo.
1 Week Asturias Itinerary
A week discovering Asturias: Oviedo and Avilés city life, coastal villages like Cudillero and Llanes, plus mountain days in Covadonga and Picos de Europa.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive in Oviedo; stroll Cathedral and old town.
- Day 2 - Drive to Cangas de Onís; visit Covadonga Basilica and lakes.
- Day 3 - Full day in Picos de Europa: Fuente Dé cable car and short trails.
- Day 4 - Head to Ribadesella; visit Tito Bustillo cave area and beach.
- Day 5 - Coastal drive to Llanes; explore coves and medieval old quarter.
- Day 6 - Visit Cudillero fishing village; harbor, viewpoints, seafood.
- Day 7 - Return to Oviedo via Avilés; catch late departure.
2 Weeks Asturias Itinerary
Two weeks touring Asturias: city stops in Oviedo, Gijón, Avilés; coastal villages, Picos de Europa hikes, Somiedo valleys, and rural crafts in Taramundi.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Oviedo; evening cider tasting on Calle Gascona.
- Day 2 - Sarria and Cangas de Onís; Covadonga Lakes visit.
- Day 3 - Picos de Europa day: Bulnes or Sotres for trails.
- Day 4 - Coastal drive east: Llanes, Cuevas del Mar viewpoints.
- Day 5 - Ribadesella and the Cantabrian coast; dolphin-watching option.
- Day 6 - Explore western Asturias: Cudillero and Luarca.
- Day 7 - Somiedo Natural Park: bear-watch viewpoints and alpine valleys.
- Day 8 - Day in Avilés; Niemeyer Center and old town.
- Day 9 - Beach day at Playa de Torimbia; relax.
- Day 10 - Drive inland to Taramundi; craft museums and rural life.
- Day 11 - Return toward Oviedo with detour to coastal cliffs at Cabo Peñas.
- Day 12 - Leisure day in Gijón; maritime museum and Cimavilla quarter.
- Day 13 - Final hikes or market visits in Oviedo.
- Day 14 - Depart from Oviedo airport or train station.
Getting to & Around Asturias #
Most visitors arrive via Asturias Airport (OVD) or by rail to Oviedo and Gijón on Renfe services; the A-8 Autovía del Cantábrico connects Asturias with the rest of northern Spain. Local coaches and regional rail serve smaller coastal and mountain communities.
Asturias’ rugged, mountainous interior and indented coast make travel slower than on Spain’s plains: coastal rail and road corridors handle most traffic, but many scenic destinations require car or local bus access. Mountain roads can be narrow with winter impacts on higher passes.
- Airports - Asturias is served by Asturias Airport (OVD) near Oviedo with flights to Spanish and some European cities. Nearby hubs (Santander, A Coruña) are alternatives for some routes along the north coast.
- Trains - Renfe operates regional and long-distance services into Oviedo and Gijón, and metre-gauge coastal lines (formerly FEVE) provide scenic regional connections along the Cantabrian coast. Services are useful for coastal towns but slower across the mountains.
- Rental Car - A car is practical for accessing mountain areas such as Picos de Europa and rural coastal villages; roads into the interior are often narrow and winding. Expect variable weather and occasional closures on high passes in winter.
- Buses - ALSA and regional bus companies link smaller villages, mountain trailheads and coastal towns with frequent services during the tourist season; buses are often the best option where rail doesn’t reach.
Where to Stay in Asturias #
Asturias mixes compact coastal cities and remote mountain valleys, so lodging ranges from city hotels in Oviedo and Gijón to rural casas and mountain refuges in the Picos de Europa. Options are plentiful in high season but more limited and basic in winter in remote villages.
Oviedo and Gijón offer mid-range and upscale city hotels perfect for exploring museums and gastronomy; look for seaside hotels in Llanes and Ribadesella for coastal access. Book early in summer near beaches and festival dates.
Casas rurales are common around Cangas de Onís, Ponga and the Picos de Europa, ideal for families or groups seeking self-catering stays. Expect stone cottages with heating and parking; book for weekends and hiking season.
Bodged for budget travelers: Oviedo, Gijón and Cudillero have small hostels and family guesthouses. Use them as bases for city sightseeing or short coastal hops; facilities are basic but centrally located.
Campgrounds cluster along the coast (Playa de la Franca, Llanes) and near Redes or Picos de Europa. Wild camping is restricted; several private sites offer services and seasonal pitches for tents and campervans.
Picos de Europa refuges and mountain huts around Sotres and Bulnes suit trekkers and climbers; many require reservations in summer. Facilities vary from basic bunks to simple meals - pack warm layers and cash.