Three Days in Asturias
General Overview of Asturias
Asturias is Northern Spain’s hidden gem! While Madrid & Barcelona are star cities for tourism, you cannot miss the northern Spanish beauty of Asturias. From city life to beautiful European landscape to small village charm, Asturias has it all. We could not help but think we had been transported to the medieval times while visiting here. Check out the guide below to get an idea of what you can do with three days here!
Must See Places
Gijon, Asturias
Playa San de Lorenzo
After a long busy day, if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy a beautiful breeze, this is the place to be. El Musel can be seen from here, which is the seaport of Gijon that is also a gateway to Europe.
Barrio De Cimmavilla
This is the old town and historical center of Gijon. It is worth strolling around to see the narrow streets of age old Gijon and houses that are still uninhabited. There are plenty of bars and shops to visit here. While you are here, don’t miss the Palacio de Revillagigedo for photos.
Cider Bottle Tower
Check out this little creation made from cider bottles right near the palace. It is quite interesting to see how it is completely made out of cider bottles.
Nava, Asturias
Cider Museum at Nava
When in Asturias, the Nava Cider Museum is a must visit. This museum offers many activities, such as, playing games that were made for entertainment back in the day, learning how to play an electronic bagpipe, taking a shot at pouring cider the proper way, cider tasting and visualizing how cider was made with age old machinery.
Cangas de Onis, Asturias
Roman Bridge
Originally built by the Romans, this bridge comes to us from the 13th century! The location is perfection with the river flowing under it and Picos De Europa being seen through the arch. A must visit to see the craftsmanship as well a stop to make while you explore the surrounding village. Take the off beaten road if you drive and explore the countrylands with beautiful mountain backdrops!
Picos De Europa National Park, Asturias
Basilica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga
This majestic Basilica can be easily spotted as you explore the roads of Covadonga and will attract you from miles away. This Neo Romanesque style church was completed in 1901 and is entirely made of pink limestone. It is hard to miss this as you make your way to the entrance of Picos De Europa National Park.
Covadonga lakes
Situated in what you can call a majestic landscape, the lakes are a sight for the eyes. Only about 27-30 km from Cangas De Onis, twisty roads through the mountain peaks will bring you to the mystical lakes. We highly recommend making stops along the way to feast your eyes on the several natural wonders of our planet. The beautiful glacial lakes will have you feeling like you have been transported to a mythical land.
Cudillero, Asturias
Who knew Spain had a coastal town that could compete with numerous Italian coastal towns! Tucked away in the Bay of Biscay, this little fishing village is quite the picturesque town. The inlet has colored homes that plummet down to the port. A perfect place to sit by a restaurant and sip on some wine or take a hike through the narrow alleyways that cascade through the homes. It is a beautiful town and it knows it.
Places to eat
Raw Coco
If you are looking for delicious food but you are also a health freak this is the place to eat. This place also offers a very chic and cozy decor that makes you want to stay a little longer than planned.
Taj Mahal
This is an Indian restaurant located right on the beach. We had some delicious food here and accompanied it with a walk on the beach after.
Green Zone- Bio Bar
This is a vegan friendly restaurant/cafe where you can take a quick wi-fi break and relax. The organic chocolate bio chai here is to die for.
El Patio de Favorita Bar
This is an upscale bar in Gijon that is located next to the beach. This bar is catered to tourists and serves delicious drinks.
To get around
Car
We rented a car for a day and we didn’t need an international license, however valid passport and your current license is needed. It can be a little pricey but definitely worth it. It is recommended to drive when visiting Cangas de Onis, Nava and Covadonga as you can cover more ground and have the flexibility of making stops and discovering new paths when needed.
Taxi
When you don’t have a car, Taxis are the next best option especially at night.
Walk
The city of Gijon is walkable and is very safe even 2 in the morning.
Safety
This has to be one of safest places we have visited. The people are mostly friendly and we never felt as if we had to be careful or extra cautious. With that said, do exercise the same amount of caution you would anywhere else.
Currency
Euros are the national currency. However, most places do accept credit cards.
Language
Spanish is primarily spoken here but majority of the population also speaks English which was very helpful when navigating through Asturias. Most restaurants also carry an English menu so don’t forget to ask for one.
Until next time…
-Henie & Dora
s/o Jenie for helping co-author the post.