Autumn is an ideal time to enjoy Asturias, where you’ll find something no matter your interests or fancies, be it a heading to the nature trails for different levels; tantalise your taste buds at the food festivals by sampling Asturias culinary arts; a plethora of museums and shows; ecotourism at its best in cities that welcome you with open arms…
In short, a stunning range of activities and interesting options that’ll exceed your expectations, even if you’re the energetic or demanding type.
Hit the road!
Forget the summer, autumn is a time for staying in shape mentally and physically or even for getting in shape. And I promise you, in Asturias you’ll do just that! The options for walking along trails, caleyas or canals that lead you to beautiful places are endless, as you make your way through unparalleled landscapes, dream villages and magical spots, with a special charm that’ll ignite the spark to achieve your personal goals. It forests, rich in different colours this time of year, offer a unique and truly unmissable view.
Personally, I’d recommend these as the best forest trails in Asturias!
Enjoy the local cuisine!
Asturian gastronomy is one of the ways to look after yourself and make you feel healthy both body and mind. The time is now for homemade, slow-cooked stews, to be enjoyed by the fireside in the villages, or on friendly stoves in the cities!
It is a time for the seal of quality of Asturias’ Cocina de Paisaje in this land renowned for having world-class local products, using simple ingredients and excellent produce to create mouth-watering dishes. The region specialises in comfort food, even when fine dining or by grills and confectioners. Local, quality food, with produce that expresses the region’s culture and tradition, which can only be truly appreciated here.
Wow your sense with a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Even a time for celebration.
The coming months offer a host of food festivals in Asturias, some of which are so emblematic that they are Tourist Interest Festivals like the grape harvest in Cangas del Narcea, the Desarme (Disarmament) festival in Oviedo/Uviéu, the Gamonéu cheese festival in Benia (Onís), the hazelnut festival in L’Infiestu (Piloña), the turnip festival in Sotrondio and the stuffed onion festival in L’Entregu/El Entrego – the latter are both in San Martín del Rey Aurelio.
You see… Autumn in Asturias is utterly delicious! Check out the truly unmissable dishes here!
Vibrant Museums
If museums and cultural activities are your thing, Asturias is for you. There are urban, rural, and open-air museums and the themes are incredibly varied: art, ethnography, sport, collector’s items… You’ll never be bored!
The museums are all dynamic, with permanent and temporary exhibitions. These are my favourite ten “musts” here!
An ecotourist’s paradise
If it’s ecotourism you’re after, look no further! Everything you need to connect with nature is at your fingertips: Observing flora and fauna, photographic and audio-visual activities, discovering the greatness of the Atlantic Forest, the biodiversity of the coast and so much more.
Whether you like birdwatching, the great land mammals – especially the Cantabrian brown bear -, or marine wildlife; or if you are interested in the plant world, and especially forests, Asturias offers you variety and quality. Plus, if it’s autumn, all the better, because the colours of the leaves offer a stunning chromatic range.
Check out the best ecotourism ideas for this autumn here!
Chill-out Cities
One very special feature of the three cities of Asturias – Oviedo/Uviéu, Gijón/Xixón and Avilés – is that they are very relaxing. Their size, culture, buzzing social life and the vibrancy of everyday life there make them peaceful yet fun. And very walkable! They’re all well connected, so you can travel from one to another very easily. The three cities are equidistant, just half an hour apart by car or public transport.
Oviedo/Uviéu is the starting point of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) and its medieval origins give it a majestic feel, particularly in the old town. Gijón/Xixón preserves its military and Roman past and is a beautiful coastal city with dozens of spots for enjoying the Cantabrian Sea. Avilés, on the other hand, has one of the best-preserved old towns in northern Spain and an estuary that is unique in Cantabria.
There’s loads to do and see in each!
