Oviedo

Uviéu

The elegant capital of Asturias, known for its pre-Romanesque monuments and charming old quarter. Wander its atmospheric streets, sample cider in traditional sidrerías, and admire the whimsical bronze statues scattered throughout downtown.

Things to do

• Visit the Catedral de San Salvador — This Gothic cathedral houses the Cámara Santa, a UNESCO-listed pre-Romanesque chamber holding sacred relics and finely carved apostle figures.
• See Santa María del Naranco — This 9th-century royal hall turned church on Monte Naranco is one of the finest surviving examples of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture.
• Explore Iglesia de San Julián de los Prados — Known locally as Santullano, this is the largest pre-Romanesque church in Spain, famous for its vivid original frescoes.
• Hunt for Oviedo's bronze statues — Stroll downtown to find quirky lifelike sculptures like Woody Allen, La Lechera, and El Regalo del Agua tucked into everyday street corners.
• Wander the Casco Antiguo — Get lost in the old quarter's narrow lanes lined with stone facades, plazas, and centuries-old taverns.
• Browse the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias — This regional fine arts museum spans several historic buildings and holds works by Goya, Picasso, and Dalí alongside Asturian art.
• Relax in Parque de San Francisco — This leafy central park with peacocks and old trees is a favorite spot for locals to unwind between sightseeing stops.

Food to try

• Sidra natural — Asturian cider is poured from high above the glass to aerate it, a ritual you'll see performed in nearly every sidrería in town.
• Fabada asturiana — A hearty bean stew with chorizo, morcilla, and pork, considered the region's signature comfort dish.
• Cachopo — Two large breaded veal or chicken fillets stuffed with ham and cheese, then fried until golden, usually enough for two to share.
• Queso Cabrales — A pungent blue cheese aged in mountain caves, often served with cider or drizzled with honey.
• Carbayones — A local pastry of almond filling layered over puff pastry and topped with icing, named after Oviedo's old town district.

Local customs & good to know

• Learn cider-drinking etiquette — Cider is poured in small amounts called culines and meant to be drunk quickly in one go before the fizz settles.
• Do a sidrería crawl — Locals hop between several traditional cider houses in one evening rather than staying at just one.
• Expect late meal times — Lunch typically starts around 2pm and dinner rarely before 9pm, so plan accordingly.
• Sunday strolling is a tradition — Many locals dress up for a leisurely paseo through downtown streets and parks after Sunday lunch.