With its Celtic-influenced culture and mountains more akin to Patagonia than the Pyrenees, Asturias takes what you think you know about Spain and flips it on its head. Sandwiched between the Picos de Europa mountains and the Cantabrian Sea, Asturias is part of Green Spain, the coastal strip along the north coast with a wet climate and lush forests. Things to do in Asturias revolve around the mountains, fishing towns, beaches, and the cities of Oviedo, Avilés, and Gijón. Take your time in Asturias as the pace is slower.
May–June and September–October are the best times of year to visit Asturias. The maritime climate and mountain weather patterns mean midsummer (July–August) isn’t as hot as many other parts of Spain, but it tends to be busier with domestic tourists, so prices are higher. A few important festivals are held from July to September, including Asturias Day, the Avilés Interceltic Festival, and the cider festival in Nava.
Asturias is a relatively rural region so if you want to explore smaller towns and reach out-of-the-way hiking trailheads, it’s handy to have your own vehicle. However, you won’t need one if you’re basing yourself in Oviedo or Gijón, Asturias’ two main cities. You can reach smaller places by bus, and the rail network runs along the northern coastline, through inland Oviedo, and south to other parts of Spain.
The Picos de Europa National Park—which spreads across Asturias, Cantabria, and Castile and León—is Spain’s only inhabited nature reserve. For travelers, this means you have the uncommon opportunity to stay right in the heart of a dramatic natural area that’s relatively unspoiled. Camping is an especially good way to visit the park—wake up to clear morning views of jagged rocky peaks and fresh mountain air.
