Free walking tours in Oviedo and what to see

Must-sees

Oviedo is easy to see on foot, and its old town is almost entirely pedestrianised. The natural starting point is the cathedral of San Salvador, on the Plaza de Alfonso II el Casto. Inside is the Cámara Santa, with the Cross of the Angels and the Cross of Victory. Close by are the Plaza del Fontán, with its market, the Plaza de la Constitución with the town hall, and Calle Gascona, known for its cider houses.

What’s most special about Oviedo is its Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture, a World Heritage Site. On the slopes of Mount Naranco are the 9th-century Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. In the city you can see San Julián de los Prados and the Foncalada fountain. Round off the walk with the San Francisco park, the Asturias Fine Arts Museum and the statues dotted around the streets.

Free tours and guided visits

The typical free tour covers the old town in about two hours: the outside of the cathedral, the central squares, the Fontán and some references to La Regenta, Clarín’s novel inspired by the city. You tip what you like. Some routes end near Gascona, a good place to try cider poured from a height.

For the pre-Romanesque, a guided visit is a good idea, because access to the Naranco monuments is controlled and the explanation helps you understand them. The cathedral and the Cámara Santa are also better with a guide. From Oviedo there are trips to Covadonga and its lakes, to Cudillero and to other villages on the coast.

How long to spend

With two days you can see Oviedo at a relaxed pace. Day one, the old town, the cathedral and an afternoon in a cider house. Day two, up to the Naranco in the morning and museums or the San Francisco park in the afternoon. With three or four days, use the city as a base for Gijón, Avilés or Covadonga, which are close and well connected.

Where to stay

The old town or its surroundings are the most convenient: everything is a few minutes away and there’s life at night without too much noise. The area around Calle Uría and the San Francisco park is central, has shops and is well connected to the train station. If you’re driving, neighbourhoods a little further out make parking easier and are still a short walk from the centre.