When someone says ‘Spanish road trip’, images of cruising along the Mediterranean Coast in a convertible spring to mind. Aquamarine coastal views and regular stops in sun-soaked fishing villages for tapas and a glass of sangria sound like a perfect driving holiday to us.
Spain is however also home to a very different driving experience! In the north of Spain lies astounding Asturias, one of the country’s 17 autonomous communities and a pretty unique destination. Spend a few days exploring this little-known jewel. With its dramatic rich green landscapes, superb beaches, iconic architecture and excellent food Asturias is every road trippers dream. We’re convinced, are you?
Fill your stomach in a foodie’s paradise
Pick up your hire car at Asturias Airport and make the 30 minute drive to Oviedo, the region’s capital. Here you will find all of the merrymaking and warm hospitality of the south without the indolent sun lounging. In true Spanish style the lively cultural life is based predominantly around the region’s flare for gastronomy and is every foodie’s paradise. You will find some of the country’s best restaurants in Oviedo alongside traditional pastry shops and the famous siderias. They all serve a range of local delicacies such as fabada (bean stew with smoked meats and sausages), fritos de pixon (deep fried monkfish), empanada (thick crust savoury pie) and arroz con leche (rice pudding).
Master cider drinking etiquette
There is very little wine made in Asturias and traditionally the tipple of choice is the famous Asturian cider. Visit one of the city’s siderias where you will find a whole variety of ciders ranging from dry and still, to sweet and sparkling. Most of these cider houses even produce cider brandy. However, the cider drinking etiquette is entirely unique and certainly something to be mastered during your visit…
- Step 1: Pour the drink from a great height high above your head into your glass. This oxygenises the cider as it splashes into the bottom of the glass adding a distinct freshness to the flavour.
- Step 2: Down the full drink in one. It’s the only way to fully appreciate the full bodied flavour and aftertaste. Apparently.
- Step 3: Don’t forget to leave a little in the bottom of the glass, which was traditionally chucked on the floor. This is a habit learned from the siderias’ spit and sawdust days when Asturians lived by the belief that you should give back to the earth a part of what it has given to you.
Unearth the wonders of Oviedo
This city is also home to some of Spain’s most venerable buildings and Oviedo Cathedral is well worth a visit. Built in the 8th century the cathedral has been added to over the years and features and array of architectural styles such as pre-Romanesque, gothic, baroque and renaissance. The altar piece is truly a work of art and a testament to Spain’s religious heritage. Located fairly centrally, the cathedral shouldn’t be hard to find but stop to ask for directions and you are likely to end up with a free personal tour guide!
Start your road trip
Once you have explored Oviedo it’s time to head into the hills! The Asturian landscape is a dramatic masterpiece of mountain passes, snowy peaks and sparkling lakes with the majority of it blanketed in a rich green world of chestnut woods and fertile valleys. It is genuinely quite unlike anywhere else in Spain. If you pass by a farm shop as you’re driving through the valleys, do not hesitate to stop and take a look. Asturian farmers have been making cheese for centuries and are pretty good at it too. There are over 40 varieties native to the region and all reflect in the mouth-watering intensity of their flavours the richness of the countryside.
Visit the Captivating Covadonga Lakes
From Oviedo drive east for about an hour, up into the Picos de Europa, Spain’s oldest national park. Steeped in legends that date back to the region’s Celtic origins, the Picos de Europa are Asturias’ crown jewel. Wend your way along winding roads that twist and curve gradually revealing the fantastic landscapes of the Covadonga Lakes. Almost all Asturias enthusiasts argue that a trip to the region without visiting the Covadonga Lakes is a wasted journey, and in all honesty I have to agree. The lakes are captivating all year round but are at their best during the Spring and Autumn. The striking colours of the surrounding landscape are reflected in the water, giving the entire scene a rather magical appearance. It is not hard to understand why this corner of Asturias has such a mythical history.
Don’t forget the Costa Verde
From the lakes head towards the coast which is not to be forgotten! The Costa Verde has beautiful unspoilt beaches complete with picturesque harbour towns and is only an hour’s drive from Covadonga. They have so far managed to avoid the high-rise holiday complex developments that have overrun the coast in so many other part of Spain. Make your way down to Playa Torimbia a stunning sandy bay and then head west stopping at Ribadesella and Lastres to stroll the winding cobbled streets and feast on delicious freshly caught seafood.
Insider’s tip
The drive should bring you round in a complete loop, ending where you began in Oviedo. However, if you have an extra day to spare, Playa del Silencio is just a 45 minute drive from the region’s capital. So named for its isolation, this beach is encircled by dramatic rock formations and is a prime example of the breathtaking landscape the region is famous for.
So, if you are looking for a way to enjoy the beauty of Spain, its landscape, culture and (most importantly) its food, without the crowds then Asturias is the perfect place for you. Slightly cooler in temperature, the weather is ideal for exploring this beautiful region without struggling with the overwarm temperatures of southern Spain, and the best way to see it all is by car!
Don’t forget to leave us a comment if you have been road tripping in Spain or visited Asturias, we’d love to hear about your experiences!
Sounds wonderful! Haven’t been to Spain yet.