Oviedo, Capital of Paradise

Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias in North Spain, has many attractions, including the old town, the Gothic cathedral and the Campoamor theatre. It also has some of the most recognised samples of Asturian Pre-Romanesque art. 

Thus, a visit to the Romanesque monuments of Oviedo (San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Maria del Naranco and San Julián de los Prados, declared World Heritage by UNESCO) can be supplemented with excursions around the city and walks through the old town.

Old Town

The old town concentrates the essence of the city of Oviedo. Walking through its narrow and renovated streets you can feel the flavor and aroma of the old city.

• Cathedral of San Salvador (Mon-Sat 10am-1pm & 4-6pm)
• Plaza de Alfonso II the Chaste and Plaza de Porlier (around the Cathedral, with elegant palaces of 17th and 18th centuries)
• Constitution Square (with Church of San Isidoro and several antique shops, cafes and the City Council building)
• The Fontan Market (food market) close to the Fontan Square (with arches, cider bars and several passages under the houses on adjacent streets)
• Other squares: Trascorrales Square, Riego Square and Umbrella Square.

Around Oviedo

• Romanesque Church of San Julián de los Prados (in Santullano Square, 1.20 €, Fri 10:00 to 12:30, Tue-Sat 9:30-11.30), near the road to Gijón, the largest Romanesque church and one of the oldest.
• Romanesque Church of Santa Maria de Bendones: closed, southeast of Oviedo.
• Romanesque Palace of Santa Maria del Naranco and the Church of San Miguel de Lillo (2 €, Sun-Mon 9:30 to 13:00, 9:30 to 13:00 & Tue-Sat 15:30 to 19:00), on the slopes of Mount of Naranco, 3km NW of Oviedo.
• Church of Santa Cristina de Lena (Pola de Lena, 16:00 to 17:00 12:00 to 13:00 & next to the LN-4 Road to El Palacio)

 

Restaurants

• Tierra Astur (1, Gascona Street, typical cider bar)
• Los Tres Caracoles (25, Jovellanos Street, open Mon-Sat)
• Restaurant El Raitán (6, Trascorrales Square, open Tue-Sun)
• Casa Conrado (1, Argüelles Street, open Mon-Sat)
• La Puerta Nueva (2, Leopoldo Alas Street, open Mon-Sat)

Further information

• Municipal Tourist Office (Marqués de Santa Cruz Street, 10.30am-2pm & 4.30-7.30pm) in a kiosk next to the Campo de San Francisco.
• Autonomic Tourist Office (4, Cimadevilla Street, 10am-7pm)