Asturias

Asturias, Spain

Asturias is a region of splendid beaches, unspoiled nature, dotted with rich architectural, industrial and cultural heritage. Apart from the region’s uncrowded beaches, there are lively inland cities and areas of great natural beauty.

There are several major destinations in the Asturias region, including the cities of Oviedo, Gijon and Aviles, along with the scenic village of Ribadesella. Our guide includes tips and information concerning these four key Asturias locations.

Population:

Asturias region 1,077,000

Currency:

Euro, €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112
Police: 091
Fire Brigade: 080

Opening Hours:

Shops are usually open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm and 5pm-8pm, Sat from 9am-2pm and closed on Sundays. Shopping malls are open daily from 10am-9pm, except on Sundays. Most restaurants are open for lunch from 10am-4pm and for dinner from 9pm-midnight.

Newspapers:

La Voz de Asturias
La Nueva España
El Comercio

Asturias

Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias, is a lively university town and has been one of northern Spain’s most important industrial cities since the 19th century, thanks to nearby coal mines. The region’s three major cities – Oviedo, Gijon and Aviles – are all within 20 kilometres of each other and less than an hour’s drive from the airport, which is also close to the region’s Atlantic beaches.

Although Gijon is not the regional capital, the city is larger and in many ways more modern than Oviedo. Heavily damaged during Spain’s civil war, it was extensively reconstructed during the second half of the 20th century, and is a major seaport. Its historic centre stands above the sea on a small peninsula, surrounding the frivolously charming Palacio de Revillagigedo and the Plaza Mayor. Gijon is more than just an industrial city. In the summer it attracts crowds of visitors from all over the region to the long, sandy beach within walking distance from the centre.

The principality’s third city is Aviles. Like Gijon, it is mainly an industrial city with a historic core. The hub of the old quarter is the Plaza de Espana, overlooked by the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Iglesia de San Nicolas, both dating back from the 14th century. The arcaded streets around the square are lined with restaurants and cafés and are the liveliest on summer evenings.

Ribadesella is claimed to be one of the prettiest seaside towns in Asturias. Here you can find a clutter of old Neo-classical houses clustered on either side of a wide river mouth, and a harbor full of yachts and fishing boats, surrounded by tapas bars and seafood restaurants.

Do & See

Relics of earlier eras are scattered in and around the cities, including many pre-Romanesque churches and other buildings dating back to the 8th and the 10th centuries, when Asturias was one of the few regions of Christian Spain to remain unconquered by the Moors, who occupied most parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

The region was a cradle of prehistoric civilisation, and remarkable cave paintings may be seen at the Cueva de Tito Bustillo in Ribadesella. Almost one-third of the region has been designated as a region of outstanding natural beauty, and four nature reserves have been given UNESCO Biosphere status.

Dining

There are many places to eat in and around the cities, especially in the old town areas. Typical dishes include the famous bean stew, cheese, rice pudding, and delicious seafood.

Cafes

Finding a place to have coffee in Spain is not hard, as it teems with cafés. There are many kinds of coffee to choose from: ask for the café solo (black coffee), the café doble (double espresso), or the café con leche (coffee with milk). Do not forget to try the Spanish donut, churro.