Oviedo

City · Asturias, 🇪🇸 Spain

Oviedo is the capital of Asturias, in northern Spain. It has a compact, pedestrian old town, a Gothic cathedral and some of the oldest churches in Europe, built in the 9th century.

The city is green, calm and walkable, with many statues and cider houses. It suits one day of history and food, and it is a good base for the Asturian coast and mountains.

Printable tourist map

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When to visit

June to September is the best time, with mild, drier days. Spring and autumn are green but rainy. Winter is cool and wet.

The San Mateo festival is held in September. The Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony is in October.

Best time to visit: June, July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

12° (feels like 8°) · extremes 3°–17°
6° at night
16 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Fair

13° (feels like 8°) · extremes 2°–18°
6° at night
12 rainy days
6 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 4°–20°
7° at night
12 rainy days
7 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Fair

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 5°–22°
9° at night
14 rainy days
8 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 7°–25°
11° at night
13 rainy days
9 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

22° (feels like 20°) · extremes 10°–28°
14° at night
10 rainy days
7 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Great

23° · extremes 13°–30°
16° at night
8 rainy days
10 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Great

25° (feels like 24°) · extremes 14°–31°
16° at night
9 rainy days
10 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 12°–29°
15° at night
10 rainy days
11 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Good

20° (feels like 18°) · extremes 9°–26°
13° at night
13 rainy days
8 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Fair

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 6°–21°
9° at night
17 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

13° (feels like 9°) · extremes 3°–18°
7° at night
14 rainy days
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Cathedral of the Holy SaviourThe Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour or Cathedral of San Salvador is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in the…

Holy Chamber of OviedoThe Holy chamber of Oviedo is a Roman Catholic pre-Romanesque church in Oviedo, Spain, built next to pre-romanesque Tower of San Miguel of…

Church of St Mary and St Michael de LiloTwo of the UNESCO-listed churches from the Oviedo surrounding. Outstanding example of pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture.

Church of San Julián de los PradosSan Julián de los Prados, also known as Santullano, is a Pre-Ramirense church from the beginning of the 9th century in Oviedo, the capital…

Museum of Fine Arts of AsturiasThe Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias is a museum in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.

Capilla de la BalesquidaCapilla de la Balesquida is a church in Asturias, Spain. The church was established in 1232.

San Isidoro, OviedoIglesia de San Isidoro is a church in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. It was opened in 1587.

Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo has a Gothic tower and a rich interior. It stands on the main square of the old town.
Cámara Santa is a chapel inside the cathedral that holds medieval treasures, including the Cross of the Angels.
Santa María del Naranco is a 9th-century palace hall on Mount Naranco, above the city. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, together with San Miguel de Lillo nearby.
San Julián de los Prados is a 9th-century church with rare wall paintings, on the edge of the center.
Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias has Spanish and Asturian art in a group of old palaces.
Iglesia de San Isidoro El Real and Capilla de La Balesquida are small historic churches in the old town.
Calle Gascona is known as the cider boulevard, with a row of sidrerías.

Featured Lists

Urbano Suárez / CC BY-SA 2.5

Oviedo Essentials

Oviedo showcases a dense concentration of UNESCO-listed pre-Romanesque architecture, including the 9th-century churches of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo on Mount Naranco. The historic core is defined by the Gothic Cathedral of San Salvador and its sacred Holy Chamber. Elegant 18th-century palaces like Velarde and Camposagrado house cultural institutions, while the pedestrianized streets feature a unique collection of public sculptures, ranging from literary characters like Mafalda to filmmaker Woody Allen. The Mercado del Fontán serves as a central hub for local Asturian gastronomy.

12 places

Ramón / CC BY-SA 2.0

Editor's Choice: Oviedo

Oviedo’s historic core preserves a dense collection of noble residences and civil architecture spanning the 15th to the 19th centuries. This selection highlights significant Baroque structures like the Palacio de Velarde and the Palacio del Marqués de San Feliz, alongside the medieval Casa de la Rúa, the city’s oldest surviving house. The list also includes the 19th-century Mercado del Fontán and the 13th-century portal of the Santa Clara convent, reflecting Oviedo's evolution from a medieval religious center to a refined seat of Asturian nobility.

7 places

José Antonio Gil Martínez / CC BY 2.0

Historic Oviedo Heritage

Oviedo’s historical core preserves a unique collection of Pre-Romanesque monuments, designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. This selection features 9th-century architectural milestones like Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, alongside the Gothic Cathedral of San Salvador, which houses the sacred Holy Chamber. The list also highlights remnants of the city’s 13th-century medieval walls and noble residences like the Palacio de Inclán, illustrating Oviedo's evolution from the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias to a significant medieval administrative center.

9 places

Jaume Meneses / CC BY-SA 2.0

Historic Churches and Cathedrals

Oviedo’s religious landscape is defined by its unique Pre-Romanesque architecture and its historic role as a key stop on the Camino de Santiago. This collection features the UNESCO-listed monuments of Mount Naranco, including Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, alongside the 9th-century frescos of San Julián de los Prados. At the city's heart stands the Gothic Cathedral of San Salvador, home to the Holy Chamber. Other highlights include the 13th-century Chapel of La Balesquida and the Neo-Romanesque San Juan el Real, showcasing a timeline from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century.

8 places

Krolosus Krolosez / CC-BY-SA

Sculptures and Public Art

Oviedo functions as an expansive open-air gallery, hosting over 100 urban sculptures integrated into its pedestrian streets and public squares. This collection ranges from Fernando Botero’s signature bronze figures in Plaza de la Escandalera to Eduardo Úrculo’s contemporary tributes and the vibrant mural-covered interior of La Iglesia Skate. These works commemorate local history, literary figures, and international icons, offering a diverse survey of public art within the city's historic center and San Francisco Park.

12 places

Adolfobrigido / CC BY-SA 3.0 es

Nature and Scenic Views

This selection highlights the diverse natural landscapes and outdoor landmarks surrounding Oviedo. It features the dramatic horseshoe meanders of the Nora River, visible from several dedicated viewpoints, and the summit of Monte Naranco, home to the Sagrado Corazón monument. The list also includes the Jardín de los Reyes, which displays sculptures of Asturian monarchs, and the La Lluera caves, known for their Paleolithic engravings. For hikers, the trails near Trubia lead to the cascading waterfalls of the Güanga stream.

7 places

What to experience

Try a cider evening on Calle Gascona, where waiters pour cider from a height.
Take a bus or taxi up Mount Naranco for views of the city and the 9th-century buildings.

Tours & Activities

Oviedo — Map

Oviedo — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Day trips

Gijón (about 30 km, 30 minutes by train or car): a coastal city with a long beach.
Cangues d'Onís (about 75 km, 1 hour by car): the gateway to the Picos de Europa and the shrine of Covadonga.
Ribadesella (about 80 km, 1 hour by car): a coastal town at the mouth of the Sella river.
Somiedo (about 70 km, 1.5 hours by car): a natural park with mountain villages.

Where to explore

Other places in Asturias:

Coast: Gijón and Ribadesella.
Mountains: Picos de Europa and Somiedo are the best areas for hiking.

Getting there

By air: Asturias airport (OVD) is about 45 km from the city, with buses to Oviedo.
By train: Trains from Madrid and León arrive at the central station. Regional trains also run to Gijón. Book on Renfe.
By bus: Coaches link Oviedo with Madrid, Gijón and the rest of Asturias.

Getting around

On foot: The old town is compact and pedestrian. Most sights are within a short walk.
Cycling: Cycling is possible, but the city has some hills.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the center. A car helps for the mountains and the coast.
Parking: Use an underground car park near the old town.
Restrictions: The old town is mostly closed to normal traffic.

Food & drink

Oviedo is a good place for Asturian classics. Try fabada (a stew of white beans and pork), cachopo (a breaded cutlet filled with ham and cheese) and blue cheeses such as Cabrales. Carbayones are a local almond pastry.

Cider is the local drink, served in the sidrerías of Calle Gascona.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Oviedo is a very safe city. Rain can come at any time of year, so carry a light waterproof jacket.

History

Oviedo was founded in the 8th century. In the early 9th century King Alfonso II made it the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, which resisted Muslim rule in Spain.

The buildings on Mount Naranco were built in the 9th century under King Ramiro I, and they show a unique pre-Romanesque style. Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo is mainly Gothic and was built over several centuries.