Oviedo
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.
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Quand partir
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.
Meilleure période pour visiter: juin, juillet, août, septembre
Sites incontournables
- 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.
Listes recommandées
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 lieux
Expériences à vivre
- 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.
Visites et activités
Oviedo — Carte
Ouvrir la carte interactive Excursions à la journée
- 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.
Où s'aventurer
Other places in Asturias:
- Coast: Gijón and Ribadesella.
- Mountains: Picos de Europa and Somiedo are the best areas for hiking.
S'y rendre
- 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.
Se déplacer
- 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.
Conduite
- 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.
Gastronomie
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.
Sécurité et santé
Oviedo is a very safe city. Rain can come at any time of year, so carry a light waterproof jacket.
Histoire
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.
Infos pays
Quick practical facts for Spain at a glance:
- Devise
- euro EUR € · Paiements par carte · Largement acceptées
- Numéros d'urgence
- 112
- Électricité
- 230 V · 50 HzType C / Type F
- Langues
- espagnol
- Eau du robinet
- Potable
- Sens de conduite
- À droite
- Indicatif téléphonique
- +34
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