Restaurante La Más Barata
On Calle Cimadeville, just past the open arch of the Ayuntamiento building, La Más Barata is one of Oviedo's most famous and popular restaurants.
Driving around the Cabo Peñas
Jutting out into the Cantabrian sea, Cabo Peñas (the Cape of Rocks) is the most northern point in Asturias and an area of incredible natural beauty. We spent the day driving around the coast, from Luanco to the Lighthouse of San Juan de Nieva.
Plaza del Paraguas – The Umbrella Plaza
Our first two months in Asturias were marked by incredibly sunny weather. People kept warning us that this wasn't normal, and to prepare ourselves for rain in October.
Mirador del Fito
The road between Colunga and Arriondas winds through the Sueve mountain range. Midway through the drive, is a viewpoint called the Mirador del Fito, which offers an incredible view of the ocean, valleys and the Picos de Europa in the distance.
The Asturian Hymn
The official Anthem of Asturias, popularly elected in the 1890s, is a curious song. It's unlike any "national" anthem I've ever heard. There's nothing grand about it, and it seems more suited to a traditional dance than a national statement of identity. But, here, you be the judge:
The Gothic Cloister of Oviedo’s Cathedral
After admiring the relics in the Cámara Santa, visitors can continue their journey through the ancient wing of Oviedo's Cathedral by ascending to the second floor into the Museum of Sacred Art. This museum opened in 1990, and is one of Asturias' more important collections of religious iconography.
The Cámara Santa – The Cathedral’s Holy Chamber
Accessed through a passage on the southern side of the Cathedral, the Pre-Romanesque Cámara Santa dates from the 9th century. It was originally King Alfonso's private chapel, and today houses some of the most important relics in Asturias. In 1998, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
Ribadesella
We were first introduced to this small seaside village during the madness of the Descenso del Sella, when over 300,000 revelers use an annual boat race as an excuse to party. With so much going on, we had no chance to see the town, and so went back.
Carbayón – The Pastry
Carbayón is a word with various meanings to the people of Oviedo. First and foremost, it refers to a beloved oak tree which had been the symbol of Oviedo for centuries, until it was torn down to make room for Calle Uria in 1879. The term "carbayón" can also refer to a native of Oviedo.
Inside the Cathedral of San Salvador
As is the case in almost every Spanish city, Oviedo's most impressive and important building is its cathedral. With a history stretching back to the 8th century, and an official name which takes nearly eight centuries to pronounce, the Santa Iglesia Basílica Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador de Oviedo is the must-see highlight during a visit to the city.
El Cristo – Oviedo from Above
The neighborhood of El Cristo occupies a hill just south-west of the city center, and hosts the majority of the University of Oviedo's facilities.
The Asturian Museum of Fine Arts
The incredible Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias is smack dab in the middle of Oviedo, just meters away from the Cathedral. Filled with modern and classic works spanning centuries, a visit is indispensable, especially considering the happy fact that it's free.
