Welcome to Asturias, a picturesque region nestled in the green landscapes of Northern Spain. Known for its stunning coastline, majestic mountains, and rich cultural heritage, Asturias offers a wide range of experiences for every traveller. Next to that, it is the perfect travel destination for a diverse experience! From cute villages to vibrant cities, from breathtaking natural wonders to delicious cuisine, Asturias will blow your mind. Join me as we embark on a journey to discover the best 10 things to do in Asturias in this travel guide, immersing ourselves in its diverse offerings and uncovering the essence of this hidden gem.
Read my full 7-day Asturias itinerary, day-by-day, here.
To cover the top 10 things to do in Asturias and opt for a mix of experiences, you can best spend 7 days in Asturias. During your travels, you can stay at a variety of 3 locations to cover all the best things to do in Asturias, without spending too much time in the car. Also, car rental is highly recommended.
I advise 2 nights near or in Luarca, followed by 3 nights in Llanes and finally, 2 nights in Picos de Europa.
Where to stay in the Luarca / Cudillero area: Hotel Villa de Luarca, Hotel Baltico, Hotel Sol de la Blanca
The best hotels in the Llanes area: Apartamentos Calle Mayor 23, Don Paco, Miraolas, Hotel La Palma de Llanes
Where to stay in Picos de Europa: Ecos del Sella, Hotel Picos de Europa, Hotel Torrecerredo
1. Visit Cudillero
2. Hike around the Lago de Siliencia
3. Walk the loop around the Covadonga Lakes
4. Try the blue cheese and other Asturian specialities
5. Enjoy cider at a Sideria
6. Tour the beautiful beaches, such as Playa Torimbia and Playa de Silencio
7. Explore beautiful Miradors
8. Visit the centre of Llanes
9. Hike de Ruta des Cares
10. Explore the larger local towns Gijon, Oviedo and Aviles
Discover the postcard-perfect village of Cudillero, on a day trip/afternoon. Clinging to the cliffs overlooking the sea, this picturesque fishing village enchants visitors with its colourful houses and bustling harbour. When visiting, have a stroll along the waterfront promenade, climb up to one of the viewpoints and enjoy some fresh seafood at a local restaurant, such as Casa Julio.
The Siliencia lakes are multiple lakes located in Somiedo, a national park in Asturias. Even though the drive from Luarca takes around 2-hours, it is well worth it. Furthermore, the Lagos de Siliencia are very off-the-beaten-track compared to the more famous Covadonga lakes. Therefore, a day trip and hike around the lakes make up for a great experience when visiting Asturias.
Read more about the Lagos de Saliencia hike here.
The Covadonga Lakes are one of the most famous sights in Asturias. Located in Picos de Europa, these two mountain lakes attract many visitors. A visit can be easily combined with the Covadonga Basilica and with a 3-kilometre loop hike around the lake, it is suitable for many.
Read more about visiting the Covadonga Lakes here.
Asturias, and the north of Spain, is known for its amazing cuisine. First of all, the seafood, such as pulpo and clams. Next to that, there are multiple speciality dishes you have to try. Especially when visiting Picos de Europa, you can’t miss out on the Cabrales cheese, a very strong blue cheese. Also, Fabada is a must-try (white bean stew) as well as Cachopo (like a Cordon Bleu).
Don’t miss the chance to visit a Sidreria in Asturias and enjoy a bottle of cider the traditional way. The cider will be poured into the glass with the hand fully stretched above the head. They will pour you just as much as you can take in one sip, as you have to enjoy the cider straight after being poured to the class for the most complete taste.
Have I already raved enough over the wide diversity in landscape and experiences in Asturias? If not, Asturias is great and you can switch between beautiful mountains, lakes, villages and beaches easily. Of course, exploring the beautiful coastline is part of the best 10 things to do in Asturias.
A couple of beaches to visit are for example: Playa del Silencio, Aguilar Beach, Playa de La Espasa, Playa de Torimbia and La Vega Beach. If you want to read a full travel guide on touring and exploring the coat line of Asturias, click here.
Read more about the best beaches in Asturias here.
Asturia is filled with beautiful viewpoints, especially along the coast. Firstly, The viewpoint over Lastres (San Marque) blew my mind. Next to that, viewpoints along the coast, such as Mirador Cabo Vidio and the view from Playa del Silencio can’t be missed.
As already mentioned, Llanes is the perfect place to stay as a base to explore the east of Asturias. However, also Llanes town itself is really cute. Among others, the harbour views, the great Sideria La Amistad and other restaurants such as Covadonga, make it worth the stay.
One of the key things to do in Picos de Europa is to hike the Ruta del Cares, a day hike along the gorge of the Cares River, exploring beautiful viewpoints and cliffs. Unfortunately, we didn’t hike the route when visiting Asturias, although I would highly recommend it based on the articles I’ve read. If you would like more information, this blog offers an overview.
Alternatively, you can also take the Bulnes Funicular up to explore more of Picos de Europa or drive up towards Sotres, one of the beautiful mountain villages.
Immerse yourself in the charming towns of Asturias, such as Gijon, Aviles and Oviedo. Wander around and explore the beautiful architecture and rich culture and indulge in the local food.
