Jan
10
Oviedo Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Spain
A trip to Oviedo
The capital of Asturias offers many reasons for a visit. The outlying coastal villages are quaint and pleasant, the seafood is excellent, and the surrounding mountains are good for skiing well into early spring. The town itself is worth a visit for the unique architectural style known as Asturian pre-Romanesque, the best examples being the churches that sit on the wooded hills around the town.
Flights to Oviedo
Flying to Oviedo means you’ll land at the Airport of Asturias, about 25 miles from the town. Direct flights between Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Basel and London Stansted are available, as well as many domestic flights. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Oviedo try Ebookers. They’ve got some great deals for travellers departing from the UK. The airport is closer to the town of Aviles than Oviedo, but the motorways are good and the trip shouldn’t take long. The bus from the airport to Oviedo is inexpensive, making it the most affordable option for transport.
The train and bus stations are next to each other in the centre of the city, with many regular routes between other Spanish cities. To reach Oviedo by car, the highway system is well marked and easy to access from either Madrid or Barcelona.
Oviedo
Sightseeing in Oviedo
The churches of San Miguel de Lilo and Santa Maria del Naranco are the best examples of the local architecture. In their natural surroundings, they are even more impressive than the beautiful buildings in the old town, Casco Antiguo, where many of the historic edifices have been converted into museums and hotels. Art lovers should check out the Museum of Fine Arts. Part of the museum can be found in Velarde Palace, where the building itself will impress you as much as any of the paintings.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
When you are served a glass of the local cider, the waiter will pour it by keeping the vessel high above the glass to let air into the liquid. You should drink it all in one gulp and then toss dregs onto the floor while waiting for the next round. This is an experience not to be missed, but perhaps not an occasion for wearing your best shoes. Local dishes include a bean stew called fabada asturiana, while the local cheese, cabarales, and rice pudding are also delicious.
The locals like to party late with most bars closing at 03:00 and discos closing at 05:00. An area with plenty of watering holes is El Cristo, with El Rosal being more of a draw for the younger crowd.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
The old town is where you’ll want to start a shopping excursion, with many traditional shops lining the squares and alleyways. The open-air market occupies the main square most days, while there are also many large shopping malls, the central one being Salesas, which houses various fashion stores as well as a Hipercor supermarket and an El Corte Ingles department store.
A good way to spend a day is to explore the seaside villages along the coast. However, if the town is putting on one of its many festivals that involve local culture and costumes, it’s worth staying in the city to check the event out instead.
Daytrips
The best reason for staying in the town of Oviedo is to make a base for daytrips to the stunning surroundings. The Picos de Europa is a must-do if you have wheels, one of Europe’s most stunning mountain regions. If you can reach the Lakes of Covadonga, you will have done well, while farther down Covadonga has many worthwhile highlights.
Another attraction near to Oviedo at altitude is the winter skiing. San Isidro has the best skiing, although is not a patch on the Pyrenees with its minimal lifts and slopes. Pajares is a bit more of a drive and a viable alternative.
For the coast, head to Gijon, which is only a few miles north and easy to get to by car on a daytrip. The town has a pleasant beach and parks as well as a few notable sights. The Roman baths and Bagpipe Museum are the top sights, while La Campa de Torres Natural and Archaeological Park has loads of Roman ruins.
Other nearby coastal towns include Avilés, Lastres, Llanes, and Luarca, and all have great seafood restaurants due to them being fishing towns.
Must-see attractions
Casco Antiguo is the oldest and most interesting part of Oviedo, where visitors can wander cobbled streets amid fine restored squares and buildings. The main building to see in Casco Antiguo is the Cathedral of San Salvador, which features stunning Gothic and pre-Romanesque sections. Other noteworthy buildings include the Velarde Palace, the Town Hall, and the Palace of Torero.
There are also several other old Asturian, pre-Romanesque churches in town, highlights of which are the San Miguel de Lillo and the Santa María del Naranco. Some of Oviedo’s buildings have also been converted into hotels and museums which have been perfectly restored.
Best time to go
Oviedo gets cold in winter due to it being at altitude and owing to its northerly positioning in Spain. You will notice the cool air when the sun isn’t shining in the winter. The best time to go to Oviedo depends on what you want to do.
For the coast and heat, head here between June and September, and between December and February for the skiing. Temperatures hit the 30s (°C) in the summer although tourist numbers and hotel prices go up at this time.
Rainy day suggestion
For a rainy day in Oviedo when the coast and the mountains are out of action, you could try comparing the city’s many churches, or perhaps check out the Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, there is a traditional covered market in town, near the Plaza de la Constitucion, as well as a string of shopping malls.
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