Welcome to Asturias, one of the most, THE most beautiful region of Spain. A region where you will come face to face with stunning mountains, luscious green valleys, small vibrant ports and picture perfect beaches. Trust me when I say this, it is impossible to capture a bad photo here. For a region this small, Asturias does pack plenty of variety in its sights to keep a traveller more than satisfied. Although its cities do have their own charm, it is the natural beauty of Asturias that wins hands down. Are you wanting a short break away from your busy and congested city? Pack your bags because Asturias will certainly not disappoint you.
Itinerary and practical information
My itinerary covered the following places:
- Oviedo
- Luarca
- Cangas de Onís
- Covadonga
- Lagos de Covadonga
You can also view them in the map below:
My main base was Oviedo, which is well connected to different parts of Asturias as well as to the rest of Spain. It has a direct bus connection to Luarca as well as to Cangas de Onís.
Recommended trip length and when to go
This trip could easily be done in 4-5 days, making it ideal for a short break. You could, of course, modify the trip length depending on your circumstances.
Lying in the northern end of Spain means that the winters can be freezing cold and therefore are best to be avoided.
Summer months (June, July, August) guarantee plenty of good sunshine and the least probability of rain, making it an ideal time to hit the beach. Note that July and August are peak months, so expect to splurge.
Spring (April and May) and autumn (September) are shoulder seasons, but the weather is perfect for hiking in the mountains.
If you want to visit the beach during this time, your best bet would be May and September for a pleasant weather and relatively low rainfall.
How to get to Asturias
By air: Asturias has one airport (Aeropuerto de Asturias) that is located about 45 minutes away from the cities of Oviedo and Gijón, the region’s main transport hubs. There are shuttle buses that connect the airport to these cities- with timetables posted on the airport’s website. It is, however, a small airport that mostly serves domestic flights.
By land: The best way to get to Asturias is undoubtedly overland as this way, you will get to enjoy its spectacular scenery.
Due to Spain’s fantastic public transport system, the whole region is connected quite well to the rest of Spain. If in doubt where to start, you could use the main cities of Oviedo and Gijón as bases.
- For trains, I use RENFE, but there’s also the option of FEVE trains that connect the northern coast.
- For buses, I almost always rely on ALSA, when undertaking an inter-regional journey.
- Use websites such as OMIO, Rome2Rio and Busbud to look at your options and book.
- Another option is going to the bus or train station to check out the timetables and buying your ticket there. Depending on the day and the destination, you might even be able to reserve a seat for the same day.
How to get around in Asturias
I did my entire trip using buses, without any hassle whatsoever. ALSA covers most routes, although there are a number of private bus companies that are especially good at connecting different villages to cities. Using Omio, Rome2Rio or Busbud should provide you with plenty of sufficient options. As mentioned before, an alternative option to buy tickets is to go physically to a bus station. Cars form another alternative option, although obviously they’re not so good for the environment, and also way more expensive on the pocket.
Where to stay
The top 3 websites that I use to book any accommodation anywhere are: Booking, AirBnB and Hostelworld. Keep in mind that smaller villages will not have AirBnb and hostels available, but you should be able to find hotels at very reasonable prices.
- For my stay in Oviedo, I booked via AirBnb and as it’s not a big city, you will find plenty of great stays close to the city centre for an amazing price.
- For my stay in Cangas de Onís, I booked Pensión Solís via Booking. The rooms are clean and cozy with wifi and other basic amenties and the bathrooms have plenty of natural sunlight. There is a terrace where you can sit and enjoy yourself. No meals are provided though, and the owner only speaks Spanish. Payment is strictly accepted in cash.
- I did not stay in Luarca overnight, however a basic search in Booking and Airbnb reveals plenty of properties. Just be sure to book in advance as this is a scenic town that tends to be fully booked out.
Important links
Navigate the post
Page 2– Travel guide of Oviedo
Page 3– Travel guide of Cangas de Onís, Lagos de Covadonga and Covadonga
Page 4– Travel guide of Luarca
