Discovering Oviedo: A Comprehensive Guide
- Trà Trần
- Jun 13, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 18, 2024
All Fun Things to Do In Oviedo, Spain – A Hidden Gem In Northern Spain
Where is Oviedo?
Oviedo is located in Northern Spain, in the Principality of Asturias. It is located 17.5 miles (28 kms) south west from Gijón on the coast.
Is Oviedo worth visiting?
Whether you are a history buff, an insatiable foodie or ready for an outdoors adventure, Oviedo has it all. The city is over 1,000 years old, with an important culinary tradition, and it’s a great starting point to explore the neighbouring Picos de Europa.
Where to stay in Oviedo, Spain?
Accommodation: Asturias is known for its beautiful landscapes, but the countryside can be challenging to navigate without a car. We recommend staying in the city for the celebration days.
Book in Advance: Book your hotels in advance (with a cancellation option) to show the embassy for visa processing.
Hotel Recommendation: Aparthotel Campus (Booking.com)
Room Rate: €100 (approx. 2.7M VND) per night for up to 3 people (double bed + sofa bed)
NOTE: We have reserved rooms at Aparthotel Campus for the 11th & 12th of September at a rate of €100 per night, accommodating up to 3 people each. Let us know if you require any rooms and if you plan on sharing, please specify your companion.)
Located at the edge of the Old Town and within a short walk from the main attractions. The room had a big balcony with great views over the city and the surrounding hills.
Here are alternative places to stay in Oviedo that are highly recommended:
NH Oviedo Principado
Hotel Sercotel Ciudad de Oviedo
Soho Boutique Oviedo
Fun things to do in Oviedo:
Explore the Old Town
Oviedo’s Old Town oozes charm in every corner, and you will want to wander aimlessly through its narrow streets, getting lost and discovering hidden squares and picturesque lanes. This is one of the first things to do in Oviedo.
The city has been a visionary in pedestrianising its town centre, so you can wander around and feel like time hasn’t really moved on here. The heart of the Old Town is Plaza de Alfonso II El Casto, also known as Cathedral Square. No matter what direction you take from here, you will find some little gem.
Visit Oviedo Cathedral
While you are in Cathedral Square, make sure you visit Oviedo Cathedral. It is an important symbol of Spanish Gothic architecture that took almost 300 years to be built.
Venture into the Archaeological Museum of Asturias
The Archaeological Museum of Asturias is located within the former Benedictine Monastery of San Vicente, which was built in the 16th century.
The monastery is believed to have originally been founded in the 8th century, and it’s said to be the birthplace of Oviedo. The museum displays a great prehistoric collection of the Asturian Neolithic, Megalithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages. Entry is free, and it’s worth popping in even if it’s just to see the original 16th century cloister. Go hunting for sculptures
As you wander around Oviedo you will notice an abundance of statues. There are over 170 scattered all over the city! Every other street, crossroad, and square has a statue offering a tribute to elements of Asturian culture, and to the art of sculpture itself.
A couple that stood out for me were ‘La Lechera’ (The Milkmaid) in Trascorrales Square, which celebrates the milkmaids that used to distribute milk across the city with their donkeys. This practice continued until the 1970s.
Discover Oviedo’s UNESCO Pre-Romanesque churches
It is built on a hilltop, so the views of the city from here are pretty spectacular, which makes this one of the best things to do in Oviedo. A short walk up the hill is San Miguel de Lillo, a small church dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. Today only a third of the building is original, as the church collapsed and had to be rebuilt in the Middle Ages.
MONTE NARANCO - Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
Monte Naranco is located outside of the center of Oviedo, and you can access it with a car or by bus. On the top you can find a great viewing point over the city and the monument Sagrado Corazón de Jesús from 1950. In Monte Naranco you can also find two pre-romanesque churches, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo as seen below.
El Fontán Market
Named after a spring that used to occupy the spot where the market was built, El Fontán Market is the place to see every day Oviedo alive.
Although there’s been a market here since the 16th century, the current building dates from 1885. Step inside and you will find a food lover’s paradise. From fresh fish directly caught in the Bay of Biscay, to local specialties like homemade chorizo and Asturian Beef, and fresh bread and pastries.
Asturias is Spain’s largest and one of Europe’s most important cheese producing regions, so make sure you sample some Asturian cheeses while you are in the market. This is one of the top things to do in Oviedo (unless you are vegan, of course).
Try the local cuisine of Asturias
Another element that is deep rooted in the Asturian culture is the local cuisine. Known for its seafood and its hearty mountain stews, there are a few dishes that every visitor to Oviedo (or Asturias) should try.
The most famous local dish is fabada, a rich bean and meat stew that will leave you feeling like you’ve just had the warmest of hugs. It is the epitome of comfort food.
Another traditional Asturian dish is cachopo, the Asturian version of cordon bleu. And for dessert, arroz con leche (local rice pudding) is as Asturian as it gets.
A highly recommended place to try any of these dishes is La Corte de Pelayo Restaurant. Their fabada has been a finalist multiple times in the fabada competition, and their cachopo has won the best cachopo award with a recipe from 1947.
Sample local sweet treats
One of the famous sweets in Oviedo that everyone must try is moscovitas. They are delicate biscuits made with marcona almond biscuits and covered with chocolate on one side. The chocolate can be dark, milk or white.
Where: The best place to try moscovitas is in Confitería Rialto, where the original recipe was developed.
Another traditional sweet is the carbayones, perhaps the most typical sweet in Oviedo. Carbayones are pastries filled with a creamy almond dough that date back to the beginning of the 20th century.
Where: Camilo de Blas, a traditional sweet and patisserie shop that has been making carbayones since 1914.
Asturias, land of cheeses
For me, the highlight of the food I tried while in Oviedo was the cheeses.
Asturias is often referred to as the land of cheeses. With over 40 types, it is Spain’s largest cheese producer, and one of the most important in Europe. The variety and quality is astounding! Don’t leave without trying a local cheese board.
Where: Sidrería Tierra Astur El Vasco has more than 40 varieties of cheese on offer, so the biggest problem you’ll have will be choosing which ones to try.
If you like strong and slightly spicy cheeses, try Casín. For blue cheese lovers, I recommend trying the world-famous Cabrales. And for those who prefer mild cheeses, Afuega’l Pitu is a fantastic choice!
Immerse yourself in cider tradition
When it comes to drinks, cider is king in Asturias. In fact, you cannot visit this Northern Spanish region and not go to a sidrería (cider house), where cider is served by an escanciador (cider pourer). It’s one of the most popular things to do in Oviedo.
Cider in Asturias is not fizzy, so the act of escanciar involves pouring it from a height to create bubbles that help enhance the flavour of the cider. Each pour is about two fingers’ worth of drink. More than that and the carbonisation is lost by the time you drink it.
Where: Gascona is a street in the center of Oviedo full of Sidrerías, the locale for sidra consumption in Asturias. In addition to consuming sidra, the Sidrerías offer a variety of Asturian food!
"Sidra (Cider) is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples. In Asturias sidra is considered not only a beverage but an intrinsic part of the culture and folklore; it is poured in very small quantities from a height into a wide glass and is done to get air bubbles into the drink (as you can see in the picture)."
Oviedo nightlife
El Antigua:
The most popular nightlife area in Oviedo, located between the cathedral and Parque Campillín. It features over 20 bars, pubs, and clubs catering to various music tastes, including Latin, rock, punk, heavy metal, and electronic. Key streets include Corrada del Obispo, Calle Jesús, Calle Sol, and Calle Caspio. Venues typically open at midnight and close at 5 a.m. Notable spots include Diario Roma for rock music and Funky Room for rap and hip-hop parties.
The Wine Route
Calle Manuel Pedregal, Calle Campoamor, and Avenida Galicia: These streets are lined with bars featuring terraces perfect for enjoying a glass of wine with savory tapas. This area is ideal for relaxing at the end of the day or starting your night. Visit early Sunday afternoons for a traditional vermouth aperitif.
The Cider Boulevard
Calle Gascona: Known as the ‘Cider Boulevard,’ this area hosts some of the best cider houses in Oviedo. Patrons enjoy cider with traditional Asturian cuisine such as cheese and charcuterie, cachopo, or fabada. It's a great place to begin an evening out.
Live Music Venues
La Salvaje: A favorite spot featuring two retro-themed rooms and hosting various events, including DJs, live music, open mic nights, concerts, and comedy shows.
Rocket Rock’n’Roll Bar: Perfect for rock and roll fans, offering craft beers, snacks, and live concerts. They also organize contests and draws.
Puro Danny’s Jazz: An NYC-themed venue for live blues and jazz music.
Shopping Or Window Shopping In Calle Uría
Calle Uría and its semi-parallel street Calle Pelayo are the perfect afternoon shopping plan. In these two streets you will find all the main fashion chains as well as many local boutiques! Additionally, you can find here several stores that sell Asturian products if you wish to get a souvenir.
Museum Of Fine Arts Of Asturias
In Spanish, Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias. In the museum, you can find many pieces of art from Spanish, Asturian, and also foreign artists. Therefore, it is a great place for art lover or can also serve as a few hours escape on a rainy day.
the Museum owns now one of Spain´s best public art collections, integrated by more than 15,000 items covering from the 14th to the 21st Century, including such bright names like El Greco, Zurbarán, Ribera, Murillo, Carreño de Miranda, Goya, los Meléndez, Sorolla, Piñole, Valle, Aurelio Suárez, Luis Fernández, Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Tàpies and Barceló.
Festival: Enjoy the lively Saint Matthew festival in Oviedo with street music and bustling bars. (Happening during the wedding weekend)
Oviedo, Asturias is a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and delicious food, making it an ideal destination for our wedding celebration. We can't wait to share this enchanting region with you!
Source: Internet & My own experiences.
