Wondering if Asturias is worth visiting? This region in Northern Spain is famous for its stunning natural landscapes and charming fishing villages. Often called one of Spain’s best-kept secrets, it is home to the Picos de Europa, one of Spain’s most iconic national parks.

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Is Asturias in Northern Spain worth visiting?

Where is Asturias

Asturias is an autonomous community in Northern Spain, located along the Atlantic coast. It borders Galicia to the west, Cantabria to the east, and Castile-Leon to the south. This region is a must-stop on every Northern Spain Road Trip.

Why is Asturias popular?

While Asturias is one of the rainiest regions on the Iberian Peninsula, it is popular for its national park Picos de Europa and iconic hikes, such as the Ruta del Cares (one of the most famous trails in Spain). The area is known for its emerald greenery, steep mountains, secret beaches, dramatic cliffs, and remote fishing villages. As the weather in Asturias can be quite unpredictable, wise packing is essential. If you plan to explore its natural wonders, check out my list of hiking essentials here. Thanks to the endless local greenery, Asturias is home to some Spanish magical forests: Robledal de Muniellos (the biggest oak groove in Spain) and Hayedo de Montegrande. The region is also known for some unique Spanish legends, full of mythological creatures, like Busgosu (the protector of the forests) and Les Xanes (the fairies, spirits of nature).

What is the Asturias famous for?

The region of Asturias holds an important place in Spanish history and belongs on any Spain bucket list. The famous Reconquista, when the Christians reclaimed the country from the Moors, began here, in Covadonga. To learn more about this topic, check my list of Top Spain Documentaries. Even the heirs to the Spanish throne are given the honorable title of Prince or Princess of Asturias. This tradition dates back to the late 1300s and continues to this day.

What to eat in Asturias

The most typical dishes of Asturias are fabada (a bean stew), cachopo, the Cabrales cheese (one of the top Food Souvenirs from Spain), casadiella (typical local dessert), and tarta de frixuelos (a cake from pancakes). The most typical local drink is sidra (e.g. cider), across the region of Villaviciosa you will find apple tree fields.

Bucket-list tours to book in Asturias

Top Reasons to visit Asturias

1. Living in the countryside of Asturias

One of the main reasons to visit Asturias is to enjoy the rural countryside of the region and choose a peaceful accommodation in a quiet setting. It will already be a digital detox experience worth the entire trip. Here are a few examples of cozy places to stay in Asturias: Apartamentos Hacienda Llamabua, Hotel Los Caspios, Hotel El Babú, Hotel Rural Cantexos, Casona de El Castañíu, Apartamentos El Pedrayu, Casa Les Pedroses, Casas Rurales Prieto, El Prau la Iglesia I, and La Quintana de Marta.

Rural Landscapes Unique things to do in Asturias
Rural Landscapes of Asturias

2. Visit the charming villages of Asturias

Asturias is known for some of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Some of the most famous include Cudillero, renowned for being one of the most colorful places in Spain, and Cangas de Onís, famous for its stunning Roman bridge. You can read more about my top fishing villages to visit in Asturias in this post. Additionally, Asturias is also home to some of the most hidden and remote villages in Spain, such as Taramundi, Espinareu, and Villar de Vildas. Below, I’ve provided a full list of charming villages in Asturias:

  • Cudillero
  • Luarca
  • Lastres
  • Cangas de Onís
  • Llanes
  • Tazones
  • Arriondas
  • Puerto de Vega
  • Avilés
  • Candás
  • Ribadesella
  • Bulnes
  • Salas
  • Cangas del Narcea
  • Taramundi
Cudillero Asturias Spain
Visiting Cudillero

3. Explore the stunning beaches of Asturias

One of the most unique aspects of Asturias that makes the region worth visiting is its dramatic coastline, known for some of the most beautiful cliffs in Spain and some of the most picturesque beaches in Northern Spain. During my last Asturias road trip, I completely fell in love with Playa de Torimbia (since I visited on a rainy day, there was no one around, but later I was told that this place is known as a nudist beach on sunny days). Other must-see stops include Playa del Silencio and Playa de Gulpiyuri. More epic beaches in Asturias:

  • Playa de Ballota
  • Playa de Rodiles
  • Playa Cuevas del Mar
  • Playa de Poo
  • Playa de Andrín
  • Playa de Penarronda
  • Playa de Aguilar
Reasons to visit asturias
Visiting Playa de in Asturias

4. Sightseeing in Asturias

Despite being famous for its natural wonders, Asturias is home to some of the most unique landmarks in Spain. The Holy Cave of Covadonga and the Collegiate Church are among the most emblematic sites for Spaniards, as they played a key role in the origins of the famous Reconquista (when the Christians reclaimed the country from the Moors). Additionally, the Holy Cave of Covadonga is one of the most enchanting, storybook-like places in Spain. The Roman Bridge of Cangas de Onís is another picture-perfect landmark in Asturias. Here’s an ultimate Asturias sightseeing checklist:

  • Museo de Fernando Alonso
  • The Oviedo Catedral
  • Museo del Jurásico
  • Centro Cultural Niemeyer
  • Museo de la Minería
  • Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias
  • Jardin Botanico Atlantico de Gijón
  • The Holy Cave of Covadonga
  • The Collegiate Church of Covadonga
  • The Roman Bridge of Cangas de Onis
  • El Museo del Pueblo D´Asturies
  • Museo de la Sidra
  • Museo del Ferrocarril
Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga
Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga
Roman Bridge Cangas de Onis in Spain
The Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onis
The Holy Cave of Covadonga in Asturias Spain
The Holy Cave of Covadonga in Asturias

5. Hiking and Adventures in Asturias

Asturias is absolutely worth visiting for nature lovers and adventure seekers, as it is home to one of the oldest national parks in Spain, Picos de Europa. During my recent road trip, it rained for three days in a row, so we were unable to do any of the hikes. The region of Asturias boasts 9 nature reserves, 39 natural monuments, and 9 other protected landscapes, making it famous for some of the best hiking trails in Spain. Bucket-list hikes in Asturias are:

  • Ruta del Cares
  • Senda del Oso
  • Ruta del Desfiladero de los Arrudos
  • Ruta de los Molinos
  • Senda del Cervigón
  • Ruta de las Cascadas de Oneta
  • Ruta del Alba
  • Senda Costera y Bufones de Pría
  • Ruta del Mazo de Meredo
  • Ruta del Pico Pienzu
  • Ruta por el Bosque de Muniellos

Additionally, Asturias is known for offering many adventurous activities to enjoy in Spain:

road to lakes of covadonga is asturias worth visiting
My stressful drive to the lakes of Covadonga

Is Asturias worth visiting?

Asturias is absolutely worth visiting. While it might not be as famous as Madrid, Barcelona, or Southern Spain, it is one of the most unique Spanish destinations in terms of natural wonders (along with the Pyrenees). While the region is known for its rainy weather, which is the obvious cause of its unmatched lush greenery, Asturias offers plenty of things to do in case you get unlucky with the weather and can’t go hiking. What I also love about Asturias is that it still preserves the traditional charm of rural Spain and doesn’t feel as overcrowded as some of the top Spanish landmarks. Additionally, local comfort foods like fabada or delicious meat dishes have a homemade feel and are such a treat when it’s rainy outside.

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