In Oviedo, you can plan your visit around different priorities, from historic city sights and important collections to outdoor routes. The Old Town and its attractions provide a setting for walks, while museums and pre-Romanesque architecture add their own cultural highlights. Options for getting active include the Vía Verde de Fuso and Monte Naranco.
Old Town, Cathedral and Art Collections
Oviedo’s Old Town is largely designed for pedestrians, making it easy to walk between historic sights. The Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias is located in the historic centre, next to the Cathedral. It is housed in buildings dating from the 16th to the 21st century. Its collection comprises 15,000 works dating from the 14th to the 21st century.
A full visit to the Conjunto Catedralicio takes approximately one hour. It includes the Cathedral interior, the Cámara Santa, the Museo de la Iglesia and the cloister. As the areas included may change during regular operations, check what is open before your visit. The approximate duration also gives you an idea of how much time to allow for this activity.
The Museo Arqueológico de Asturias is located in the former 16th-century Benedictine monastery of San Vicente. It presents cultural developments from prehistory to the beginning of the Early Modern period. One room is dedicated to Asturian World Heritage sites, including prehistoric caves with rock art and monuments of the Kingdom of Asturias. The museum’s subject matter therefore spans the region’s history, from early cultures to the history of Asturias.
Pre-Romanesque Architecture in Different Forms
Oviedo’s pre-Romanesque heritage can be viewed from different perspectives. La Foncalada is the only example of a pre-Romanesque civic building in an urban setting. Santa María del Naranco is considered the most important building of European pre-Romanesque art. San Miguel de Lillo, in turn, is an outstanding example of the sculptural decoration of pre-Romanesque, or Asturian, art. Together, the three buildings represent different aspects of this art: civic architecture, art-historical significance and sculptural design.
Outdoor Routes and Planning Your Time
The Vía Verde de Fuso is an easy, accessible route that is fully paved. It can be used on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates. The route starts at Parque de Invierno and ends at Balneario Real de Las Caldas. It follows a former railway line, passing through tunnels, by trees, old railway stations and mills, and through a river landscape. As local route conditions may change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting off.
Monte Naranco rises to over 600 metres and can be climbed on foot in just over an hour. For a rough guide to planning your time, you can compare the climb with a full visit to the Conjunto Catedralicio: about an hour is allowed for the visit, while the walk up takes a little longer. This gives you a choice between two different activities with similar time requirements.
Pilgrimage Route and Regional Cultural Event
Oviedo is an important point of reference on the Camino de Santiago Primitivo. For travellers interested in the pilgrimage route, this connection is part of the city’s cultural context.
The Día de América en Asturias is also a cultural event at the regional level. It has been held annually since its first edition in 1950. The festivities include a parade of folk groups and floats, celebrating both Asturian culture and the cultures of Latin American countries to which Asturians have traditionally emigrated.
Discover more destinations: La Manjoya, Santo Medero, Las Caldas, Siones, Santianes, Cortina, Villapérez, Faro.
For the main travel overview: Oviedo.
