Aviles Spain travel guide and attractions
Aviles is in the province of Asturias in the Asturias and Cantabria region of Spain.
Aviles has a charming medieval centre that is well worth visiting.
Visit Aviles, Spain
Aviles once had a grim reputation as a polluted highly industrialised city but its heavy industry gave way to high tech and now even outside of its historic centre it is a thriving commercial centre with good shops and restaurants.
However it is for the medieval historic centre that you will want to visit and you won't be disappointd. The old town is very colourful with pale sandstone buildings standing side by side with buildings rendered in pink, lemon, green, blue etc. Its narrow streets regularly open out into large sunny squares surrounded by arcaded buildings many of which are bars and restaurants and offer lovely spots to stop and people-watch.
The main streets to head for are situated around the Plaza de Espano and the Plaza de Mercano. Look out for the Iglesia de San Fransisco with its Renaissance cloister and its frescoes and the Romanesque Iglesia de San Nicolas. Aviles has a good scattering of 14th and 15th century palaces including the Baroque Palace de Camposagrado, which was fortified against English pirates! The Palacio de Marques de Ferrera is now a stunning hotel, if you want to treat yourself stop here for your visit. Aviles even has a Modernist palace, the Palacio de Balsera.
The old centre of Aviles is a treat. Take your time to wander through its streets admiring the often brightly coloured architecture and stopping regularly to sample some excellent tapas.
For more information and photos visit Wikipedia Spain: Aviles.