Discover the versatility of Asturias in two weeks. This is the perfect Asturias itinerary, covering historic cities, unspoiled nature, and laid-back beaches.
About Asturias
Asturias is a region in the green north of Spain and a perfect destination for a varied vacation. What can you expect when you’re exploring Asturias? A great combination of breathtaking nature, historic cities, beautiful beaches in quiet bays, and delicious gastronomy.
This two-week Asturias itinerary takes you on an exploration of the most beautiful cities and natural areas of this region. From the historic streets of Oviedo to the impressive mountains of the Picos de Europa, every day is enjoyable during this tour of Asturias.
2 week Asturias itinerary
I took a road trip through Asturias in September 2024 and visited many beautiful places. In this article, I share the best route for a varied vacation in Asturias.
Day 1 & 2: Oviedo
Your adventure begins in the capital of Asturias: Oviedo. I personally think that this is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Spain and it has a very nice atmosphere. Oviedo is famous for its well-preserved medieval architecture. The historic city center is mostly car-free and a pleasure to explore on foot.
One of the most notable structures is the magnificent Cathedral of San Salvador, which you should take a moment to admire. Other beautiful sights include Plaza Trascorrales, Mercado El Fontán, and Santa María del Naranco just outside the city. Also, don’t forget to have a glass of cider in one of the many bars on El Bulevar de la Sidra.
- Where to stay: Nuvō Hotel Boutique (4⭐) – Great new hotel on the edge of downtown Oviedo. The rooms are soundproofed and have nice modern decor.
- Where to eat: El Fondín de Trascorrales, delicious dishes from the region.
- Read more: 16 Great things to do in Oviedo
Day 3 & 4: Gijón
It’s time for the next beautiful city! Gijón has a very different atmosphere than Oviedo, which undoubtedly has to do with the fact that it is located by the sea. It’s a great place to combine exploring the historic city with a relaxing day at the beach.
Be sure to take a stroll through the old neighborhood of Cimadevilla. Here you will find narrow streets, colorful houses, and historic buildings, and it is the place to taste Gijón’s authentic atmosphere. If you want to relax on the beach, Playa de Poniente and Playa de San Lorenzo are fun to visit.
- Where to stay: El Môderne Hotel (4⭐) – One of the most beautiful hotels in Gijón, with an iconic facade. It is in a convenient downtown location, within walking distance of both beaches.
- Where to eat: Restaurante Asturiano La Galana – A cider bar where they also serve amazing food.
Day 5 to 7: Picos de Europa (Sotres)
Do you feel like exploring nature? That’s convenient because we are going into the mountains! Sotres is the perfect base to discover Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa. Located on the border of Asturias, Castile and Leon, and Cantabria, this impressive mountain massif is a must-see for nature lovers.
You can take a tour of different viewpoints, visit the famous cheese caves, or go hiking. There are many different routes to discover, of which the Ruta del Cares (through a gorge) is undoubtedly the most famous.
- Where to stay: Hotel Rural Peña Castil (Sotres) – Fine hotel with its own restaurant where they serve traditional Asturian cuisine.
- Where to eat: Restaurante Casa CIPRIANO – Basic, but very tasty local dishes. Especially taste the strong cheese made in the nearby caves.
- Read more: Picos de Europa: Spain’s first national park
Day 8 & 9: Llanes
After your mountain (hiking) adventure, return to the coast for a few days of relaxation. Llanes is one of the most popular seaside towns in Asturias, so there is a pleasant atmosphere.
The medieval center is small, but a lovely place to stroll through. You can also fully enjoy the coast during a walk on Paseo de San Pedro. For a greater challenge, you can also choose to walk a section of the Camino del Norte, which runs right through the town.
- Where to stay: Silken Spa La Hacienda De Don Juan (4⭐) – Fine and comfortable hotel in a beautiful hacienda. It also has a spa where you can relax.
- Where to eat: Sidrería Restaurante El Puerto – Cozy little sidrería where you can eat delicious seafood (and drink cider, of course).
- Read more: 12 Fun things to do in Llanes for a relaxing Asturias vacation
Day 10: Ribadesella
For your next stop, you only need to drive half an hour, but Ribadesella is also worth a night’s stay. This town is split in two by the Sella River and both parts have a different atmosphere.
On the east side, you will find the historic center, hiking trails and viewpoints, and on the west side the vast Playa de Ribadesella and more modern (and chic) buildings. You can also visit the caves of Tito Bustillo in Ribadesella, known for their prehistoric petroglyphs.
- Where to stay: Hotel Villa Rosario (4⭐) – On the beach of Ribadesella there are several historic colonial buildings and this is one of the finest. Beautifully restored, it has modern decor with comfortable rooms.
Day 11 & 12: Avilés
From Ribadasella, follow the coastline to the next destination. Before you arrive in Avilés, it is a must to make a quick stop in Lastres, which looks a bit like the Italian villages in Cinque Terre.
Avilés is another fine city to visit and it is known for its historic center and modern architecture. Be sure to take a look at Centro Niemeyer, a cultural center designed by the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. In addition, it is great to stroll through the narrow medieval streets, as they are again very beautiful here.
- Where to stay: Palacio de Aviles Affiliated By Melia (5⭐) – Great hotel in the old center of Avilés, it’s like a museum. Be sure to book breakfast with your stay, it is incredibly extensive and delicious.
- Where to eat: GastroPub Plazas – Nice restaurant with a cozy courtyard garden. They serve typical dishes from Asturias with a special twist. I had one of my best meals in Asturias here!
- Read more: 15 Things to do in Avilés: explore this surprising Spanish city
Day 13: Cudillero
I am purposely saving one of the most beautiful places in Asturias for last because Cudillero is absolutely gorgeous. A quaint fishing village, Cudillero is known for its colorful houses and steep streets.
It can get quite crowded during the day (you are definitely not the only tourist), which is precisely why it is a great place to stay for a night. This allows you to enjoy the beauty of Cudillero in peace at the end of the day and in the morning.
- Where to stay: La Casona de Pío (2⭐) – Simple, but in an incredibly beautiful building in the picturesque town, just 100 meters from the port.
- Read more: 10 Things to do in Cudillero: the most beautiful village in Spain
Day 14: Back in Oviedo
After your stay in Cudillero, you can visit some other beautiful places along the coast (for example, Luarca, Cadavedo, and Faro de Cabo Vidio) before returning to Oviedo. Here you can wander around, enjoy your last delicious meal in Asturias and perhaps buy some souvenirs. A perfect place to start and end your wonderful tour of Asturias before returning home.
This two-week tour of Asturias offers a perfect blend of culture, nature and adventure. From the historic cities and charming villages to the impressive mountains and breathtaking coastline, you will undoubtedly fall in love with this region. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all these beautiful moments and prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience in northern Spain.
Book your trip to Asturias
Would you like to take this amazing Asturias road trip? Book your trip now!
✈️ Visit Asturias by plane – The fastest way to get to Asturias is by plane and it has a small international airport which is located near Avíles. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚆 Visit Asturias by train – Are you interested in a more sustainable way of traveling? The bigger cities are reachable by train. Check Rail Europe for train tickets.
🚘 Rental Car – For this road trip, it’s highly recommended to rent a car, as this makes it a lot easier to get to the more rural places and hidden beaches. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
🛏️ Accommodation – The article already contains several hotel tips, but be sure to check Booking.com for more tips, availability, and prices.
🎡 Tours & activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to do in the north of Spain. Check Get Your Guide to find the best guided tours and activities in Asturias.
Read more about Spain
Looking for extra tips for Asturias and other beautiful places in Spain? Order one of these travel guides for more travel inspiration inspiration.
I travel to Spain several times a year and have had the opportunity to discover many beautiful places in this wonderful country. Therefore, you can find many tips for a vacation in Spain on this website. Check out these articles:
- 20 best things to do in Asturias, Spain
- Galicia itinerary: explore Northwest Spain in 2 weeks
- 18 beautiful places to visit in Basque Country Spain
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get the best travel stories and best travel tips in your mailbox.
I visited Asturias at the invitation of Turismo Asturias and the Spanish Tourism Board. I always share my honest opinion about a destination. Read more about collaborations on this page. This article also contains some affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links it costs you nothing extra, but I get a small commission. Allows me to improve this website. Support this website.
Leave a reply