20 best things to do in Asturias, Spain

In the green north of Spain lies the diverse region of Asturias, a perfect vacation destination. These are the best things to do in Asturias.

Table of contents hide

1 About Asturias

2 The best things to do in Asturias

3 Book your trip to Asturias

4 Read more about northern Spain

About Asturias

Asturias is a diverse region in northern Spain. What makes this region such a great travel destination is its combination of natural beauty, historic sites, and authentic culture. It’s a perfect destination if you’re looking for an authentic Spanish experience and want to avoid the crowded tourist hotspots.

History

Before I tell you about the most beautiful sights in Asturias, I’ll share a brief history because that is one of the things that makes this region so special. People have lived in the area for a very long time, traces have been found dating back to prehistoric times.

In the eighth century, after the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, one of the first Christian kingdoms emerged in Asturias. Under Pelayo’s leadership, the Battle of Covadonga was won, a decisive victory that marked the beginning of the Reconquista. Asturias became a kingdom and continued its struggle against the Moors. The kings of Asturias gradually expanded their territory, conquering new territories and laying the foundation for the future of Spain.

Over the centuries, Asturias experienced several periods of prosperity and wealth. This peaked in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, mainly because of the mining and steel industries. Today, the region focuses on green energy, agriculture, fishing and tourism.

The best things to do in Asturias

I am a huge fan of Spain, as it is such a diverse country. So you can imagine that I was incredibly happy to receive an invitation from the Spanish Tourism Office to discover Asturias. During the trip I discovered one highlight after another, the region has so much to offer! In this article, I’ll tell you all about the most beautiful sights and the best things to do in Asturias, so you know what to expect when you’re visiting the region.

Picos de Europa National Park

My main reason for visiting Asturias was the Picos, or Picos de Europa National Park (Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa in Spanish). Located on the border of Asturias, Castile and Leon, and Cantabria, this impressive mountain massif is a must-see for nature lovers. It owes its name to sailors who first saw these mountain peaks back in the day as they headed toward Europe, so the literal translation is “peaks of Europe.”

In the Picos de Europa, you can enjoy spectacular views, with high peaks, unexplored caves, deep gorges, and green valleys. There are many amazing hiking trails to enjoy the unspoiled nature. The highest mountain peak is the Torre de Cerredo (2648 meters) and this one is located in Asturias.

Read more: Picos de Europa: Spain’s first national park

Ruta del Cares

There are several beautiful hiking trails running through the Picos, and the Ruta del Cares is undoubtedly the most famous and one of the most spectacular. The trail follows a narrow gorge along the Cares River and offers breathtaking views. The hike is challenging but worth it for the unforgettable experience.

Arrive early, as there are few parking spaces at the trailhead.

Sotres

If you want to visit the Picos and fully enjoy the most beautiful views, it is really recommended to stay in the mountain village of Sotres. It lies between the eastern and central massifs and all around you can see the granite peaks as well as beautiful green meadows.

Several beautiful hiking trails start in Sotres, but you can also just enjoy the beautiful viewpoints around the village. There are plenty of benches, so stay as long as you like.

Hotel tip: Hotel Rural Casa Cipriano – Basic hotel with fine beds, mountain views, and a restaurant.

Queso de Cabrales

Cabrales is a region within Asturias known for its spicy blue cheese of the same name: the Queso de Cabrales. This cheese matures in natural caves in the Picos de Europa. This is because these have the perfect temperature and it remains the same almost all year.

If you are interested in seeing how they are made, you can visit one of the local cheese dairies. In Stores, I even got to take a look inside such a cave. Very special to see, although of course there was quite a strong smell.

By the way, tasting the cheese is a must, and it is on the menu at almost every restaurant. But you can also get it at the cheese factory, sometimes there is even a vending machine out front so you can buy cheese 24/7.

Llanes

From the mountains and cheese to the coast! Because Asturias is also known for that. Llanes is one of the most famous seaside resorts. This charming coastal town has a historic center full of cozy squares, narrow streets, and colorful half-timbered houses.

In addition, you can take beautiful walks along the coast on the Paseo de San Pedro and discover modern works of art, such as the impressive Cubos de la Memoria.

Hotel Tip: Silken Spa La Hacienda De Don Juan (4⭐) – Fine and comfortable hotel in a beautiful hacienda. It also has a spa where you can relax.

Ribadesella

Another well-known seaside resort is Ribadesella. This place is located at the mouth of the Sella River and as a result, it feels like it is split in two. On the east side, you have the historic center and a somewhat more mountainous area (many nice hiking trails start here) and on the west side, you will find the long sandy beach (Playa de Ribadesella) along with several beautiful colonial buildings.

Cueva de Tito Bustillo

Cueva de Tito Bustillo is one of the main attractions in Ribadesella, this is an impressive cave with prehistoric petroglyphs. The drawings date from the Late Paleolithic and are among the best preserved in the world. A very special sight!

Book your tickets early through the official website, as they are very often sold out.

Lastres

Along the coast, there are other nice places to check out and Lastres is definitely worth visiting. This picturesque fishing village is known as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The winding streets, white houses with red roofs, and the view over the sea make it a picture to see and reminds a bit of the Italian villages in Cinque Terre. The best view is from Mirador de San Roque.

By the way, this coastline is also called the “Jurassic Coast,” as several dinosaur (foot) tracks have been found here. If you want to learn more about this, you can visit the Museo del Jurásico de Asturias, which is located near Lastres.

Gijón

Gijón is the largest city in Asturias and is also located on the coast. It has beautiful beaches, a cozy marina, and a historic center full of attractions. This makes it the ultimate city/beach combination!

There are no less than two major beaches; Playa de Poniente and Playa de San Lorenzo and in between is the center. You can find pleasant shopping streets here, as well as many restaurants (Restaurante Asturiano La Galana is really recommended for an authentic experience) and various historical sites. For example, you can visit the Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés for free, these are the ruins of a Roman bathhouse that is still under the city.

On the east side of the city, it is absolutely worth visiting the impressive Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura. It is huge and used to be a living and working place for the miners. Now it is a cultural center including a museum and various cultural institutions.

Oviedo

More inland you’ll find Oviedo and this is the capital of Asturias. Personally, I found this the most beautiful city in the region and there is an awful lot to explore. The historic center is largely car-free and it is lovely to walk around here.

Be sure to visit the beautiful cathedral, wander the old streets, and discover the many monuments and museums (many are free to visit). Oviedo is also known for its delicious food and I can recommend at least El Fondín de Trascorrales (delicious local dishes) and Sidrería Tierra Astur Parrilla (a gigantic sidreria with an equally gigantic menu).

Hotel Tip: Nuvō Hotel Boutique (4⭐) – Great new hotel on the edge of downtown Oviedo. The rooms are soundproofed and beautifully decorated.

Buildings of the kings

As you read in the introduction, Asturias was a kingdom in the ninth century and existed before Spain itself became a kingdom. A few monuments from this time can still be admired and two of them are on a hill north of Oviedo.

These are Santa María del Naranco (an old palace, although they suspect it may have had another function) and Iglesia de San Miguel de Lillo (a church). You can visit both with a guided tour, which is only Spanish-speaking. But the outside is already very impressive to see as well!

Camino Primitivo / Camino del Norte

The Camino de Santiago is the most famous pilgrimage in the world, and as many as two different routes pass through Asturias. These are the Camino del Norte (from Irun to Santiago) and the Camino Primitivo (from Oviedo to Santiago, which is the oldest of the pilgrim routes).

It is incredibly fun to walk a section of the Camino during your stay in Asturias, this way you will discover even more beautiful places in the region. After all, you will walk through a diverse landscape and several small villages.

During my stay in Asturias, I walked a section of the Camino Primitivo (from Cornellana to Sallas) and it looked like this:

On the Camino Primitivo between Cornellana and Sallas

Parque Natural de Somiedo

One place I, unfortunately, missed during my tour of Asturias is the Somiedo Natural Park. But it’s definitely on my list for next time! Parque Natural de Somiedo is known for its pristine nature and rich biodiversity.

You will find dense forests, clear mountain lakes, and traditional mountain villages. The park is a refuge for the endangered Cantabrian brown bear and the Iberian wolf. A great place to go hiking and enjoy nature.

Avilés

We are heading for the coast again! Avilés is a historic port city with a well-preserved medieval center. Although it is not as big as Oviedo and Gijón, it is definitely worth a visit. There are plenty of narrow streets and historic squares to explore.

What struck me personally in Avíles is the fine atmosphere that prevails in the city. The many arcades, the large Parque de Ferrera, the beautiful half-timbered houses, and the cafes and restaurants create a cozy, casual atmosphere.

It is also a must to take a look at Centro Niemeyer, a square full of buildings with unusual shapes designed by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Hotel Tip: Palacio de Aviles Affiliated By Melia (5⭐) – Great hotel in the historic city center of Avilés, it’s like a museum. Also, be sure to book breakfast with your stay, it is incredibly extensive and delicious.

Palacio la Quinta de Selgas

During one of the drives through small villages, I passed by Palacio la Quinta de Selgas and it was so beautiful that I do think it is worth putting on this list of the most beautiful places in Asturias. This historic mansion from the nineteenth century with its beautifully landscaped gardens is a work of art itself, as well as an art museum. A special place to visit!

Cudillero

Cudillero is perhaps the most beautiful sight in Asturias. Especially on a sunny day (I was so lucky), this quaint fishing village was truly a picture to behold. The colorful houses, winding streets, and cozy little harbor make it incredibly photogenic.

There are several hiking trails you can follow through the narrow streets (there is a map at the tourism office) and you can admire the village from beautiful viewpoints. In addition, in one of the local restaurants eat tasty fresh fish overlooking the sea. What more could you want?

The pristine beaches

Asturias has a long, jagged coastline and lots of lovely coves with pristine beaches. On some of these you can spend hours on your own, how wonderful is that? For example, take the walk to Playa de Oleiros, a beach that can only be reached by a steep staircase. You will love it!

Faro de Cabo Vidio

Another beautiful place to enjoy the view of the cliffs of Asturias is the Faro de Cabo Vidio. This lighthouse stands very lonely on a cliff and you can walk around it and see very far! There are also several picnic tables, making it a perfect place for a delicious lunch with a great view.

Ermita de La Regalina

If you haven’t had enough of the beautiful views, Ermita de La Regalina is also worth visiting. This is a tiny church on a high cliff. On both the left and right side you have a beautiful beach and the view is truly unparalleled.

Luarca

The last place on this list of the most beautiful sights in Asturias is Luarca. This is another picturesque coastal town with a charming harbor and a historic center full of narrow streets and traditional houses. What makes this place extra special is that most of the houses and buildings have white facades. You will also find here one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Spain, it hangs as it were above the sea. Absolutely worth a visit.

And these beautiful places are just a small piece of what you can discover in Asturias. In any case, it will give you a good idea of the versatility of this Spanish region and I bet you are curious by now!

Book your trip to Asturias

Do you feel like visiting Asturias after reading this article? Then book your trip now!

✈️ Visit Asturias by plane – The fastest way to get to Asturias is by plane and it has a small international airport which is located near Avíles. Check Skyscanner to find the best deals on plane tickets.

🚆 Visit Asturias by train – Are you interested in a more sustainable way of traveling? The bigger cities are reachable by train. Check Rail Europe for train tickets.

🚘 Rental Car – Although you can reach places in Asturias by public transport, it is very useful to have a rental car. This makes it even easier to get to the more rural places and hidden beaches. Check Discover Cars to find the best deals.

🛏️ Accommodation – The article already contains several hotel tips, but be sure to check Booking.com for more tips, availability, and prices.

🎡 Tours & activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to do in the north of Spain. Check Get Your Guide to find the best guided tours and activities in Asturias.

20 best things to do in Asturias, Spain