Asturias and Cantabria
Visit Asturias and Cantabria
The region of Asturias and Cantabria is a long narrow strip along the north coast of Spain. Along the sea front are lots of beaches, little coastal towns and the lively university city of Santander.
Lying behind this coastal strip is the magnificent backdrop of the Picos de Europe, a lovely verdant and very peaceful stretch of mountains which is lovely walking country.
One of the most famous sights of the region is the Caves of Altamira - caves containing some magnificent pre-historic cave paintings.
Coast of Asturias and Cantabria, Spain
Costa Verde (Green Coast)
Known as the green coast as many of the beaches lie in lovely little coves with tree covered cliffs reaching down to the sand beaches and sea below. The sea here is the Atlantic Ocean and so colder than the waters of the Costa Brava and Costa del Sol but less commercialized as well.
Dotted along the coast are a number of attractive little villages including Castropol, Figueras, Cudillero and Lastres.
Inland
The Picos de Europa
This is a wonderful and fairly undiscovered mountain range which is very verdant (and yet does have some snow covered peaks), full of bubbling streams, gorges and pretty little villages which look as though they have been lost in time. When hiking on the various trails often you will not see another hiker buy may meet one of the very long horned cattle which also use the trails but which are fortunately extremely docile.
The mountain range is now a National Park and spreads over Asturias and Cantabria and also Castile and Leon region.
Take the cable car from Fuente Dé up to a wild rocky area with great views of the surrounding Picos. Take a walk through the Cares Gorge - 1000m deep and 12km long.
Cities and Places to Visit in Asturias and Cantabria
Alatamira Caves, Cuevas de Altamira - some magnificent pre-historic art is in these UNESCO-listed caves. Unfortunately they are now closed to all but a very small number of visitors to preserve the paintings however there is an excellent replica sight and museum.
Alto Campoo - a small ski -resort in the Picos de Europa.
Aviles - an interesting medieval centre though the outskirts are very industrial.
Barcena Mayor - a picturesque village with lots of the typically balconied houses of the region. Situated in the Cabuerniga Valley.
Cangas de Onis - has a lovely Roman bridge and fantastic mountain scenery. It is close to Covadonga said to be the starting place for the Reconquest and now a large religious shrine with an attractive Neo-Romanesque basilica.
Carmona - another pretty village in the Cabuerniga Valley.
Castro de Coana - Remnants of one of the largest Celtic villages in Spain can be seen here.
Castro Urdiales - a fishing town with an attractive harbour, it is a popular holiday resort.
Comillas - a very good resort which has lots of Modernista buildings including the El Capricho designed by Antoni Gaudi. This is now a restaurant and a great place to eat.
Cudillero - lots of colourful houses surround the port.
Gijon - the largest city in the region is surrounded by industry but once in the centre the city is pleasant, has good beaches and nightlife. The different coloured houses on the harbour are very attractive.
Lllanes - an excellent seaside town on a rugged stretch of coast and with the Picos de Europa providing a backdrop.
Laredo - with a lovely beach and an attractive old town. Now a thriving holiday resort.
Luarca - a very attractive town surrounded by cliffs.
Mogrovejo - one of Spain's most beautiful villages. Mogrovejo is a mountain village in the Picos de Europa.
Oviedo - the cultural capital of Asturias is a lively university city. It has a medieval centre and in the city and around are lots of examples of Pre-Romanesque architecture. Particularly noteworthy is the church of Santa Maria del Naranco.
Potes - step back in time as you wander around this lovely old town. An excellent base for visiting the Picos.
Puente Viesgo - a lovely village in a beautiful setting and some excellent caves full of stalagtites, stalagmites and lots of prehistoric paintings.
Reinosa - a pretty town in typical Cantabrian style.
Ribadesella - a lovely seaside town and holiday resort. Visit the nearby Caves of Tito Bustillo which have lots of prehistoric drawings.
Salas - the town has a castle with a tower you can climb for good views of the surrounding countryside.
Santander - the lively capital of Cantabria with a popular seaside suburb of El Sardinero.
Santillana del Mar - perhaps the highlight of a visit to this part of Spain. This beautiful town is a must. If you can - stay in one of the two Paradors that are in this town. Be warned though, it is very touristy.
Santona - a fairly busy holiday resort and fishing town.
San Vincente de la Barquera - definitely one of the better resorts in this region. Surrounded by sea and entered by a long causeway.
Sotres - an excellent base for a walking holiday in the Picos.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asturias and Cantabria
- Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country
- Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias, Asturias
- Pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela
Museums
Fine Arts Museum of Oviedo, Museo de Bellas Artes - housed in an 18th century palace the museum contains a good selection of paintings.
Archeological Museum of Oviedo, Museo Arqueologico - housed in an old monastery it contains pre-historic, Roman and Romanesque exhibits.
Fine Arts Museum of Santander - includes works by Goya.
Archeological Museum of Santander - has artifacts from caves in Cantrabria
Maritime Museum of Santander - has a collection of whale skeletons.
Museo del Pueblo de Asturias, Gijon - has a large bagpipe collection!
Gardens
Gardens of the Magdalena Palace, Santander - a palace and gardens all on the tip of the peninsula and so surrounded by sea.
Paradors of Asturias and Cantabria
Parador de Gijon, Gijon
Parador de Cangas de Onis, Cangas de Onis
Parador de Fuente de, Fuenete de
Parador de Santillana del Mar, Santillana del Mar
Parador de Santillana Gil Blas, Santillana del Mar
Parador de Limpias, Limpias