Popular for its historic old buildings dating back to the 13th century, the city of Oviedo is a place where travelers go to appreciate preserved history in plain sight. As seen on the city’s structures such as fountains, church buildings, palaces, and sculptures, Oviedo is a good place to appreciate high culture and is big on architecture and other artistic ways of expression. Around the old historic structures are beautifully themed shops and boutiques that keep the place feeling tastefully rustic. There are also some great pubs and night clubs that people can chill and socialize at after a long day of touring the city. There are a lot of fun activities to do in the city of Oviedo. If you are planning to visit but are unsure what things to do to maximize your experience in the city, continue reading below to have a list of the best things to do in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
1. Browse through the exhibits at Archaeological Museum of Asturias
Posted by DesignDaily on Saturday, 30 August 2014
Currently being hosted in a beautiful historic cloister in a convent of San Vicente, Archaeological Museum of Asturias is a place where you can learn about medieval Asturias, Roman history, and different cultures of the past. With such a historic museum building, it is only fitting that the museum exhibit things in the scope of prehistoric times, medieval Asturias, the Roman invasion, the Neolithic and Metal age, and the age of Hillforts. The museum is heavy in exhibiting archaeological artifacts dating from the medieval period and earlier. With rare artifacts used as permanent exhibits in the museum, the Archaeological Museum of Asturias is a place you most certainly should visit if you are interested in the times dating way back to the medieval era.
Archaeological Museum of Asturias
Address: Calle San Vicente, 3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Asturias Archaeological Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 9:30pm - 8pm; Sat: 9:30pm - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm; Sun: 9:30pm - 3pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: Free admission
2. Snap a photo with the Woody Allen statue
If you loved the movies Stardust Memories, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Manhattan, or Midnight in Paris, then you should check out the Woody Allen Statue. The life-size statue of Woody Allen was made to remember the world-famous film director for his works and great compliments to the city of Oviedo. After some picture-taking with the statue, you and your friends can chill at the nearby shops and boutiques near the statue. If you are in Oviedo and are interested in the many statues placed around the city, the Woody Allen Statue is one of the statues you should stop by to visit.
Woody Allen statue
Address: Calle Milicias Nacionales, 1, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
3. Push yourself to the limits by trekking La Ruta del Cares
Surrounded by mountains going up to 2,000 ft (609.6 m) in elevation, La Ruta Del Cares is a trail which will truly test your physical prowess. The trail started as a marked path for an electric company to monitor the water canal which supplied the water for their hydroelectric facility. In the 1940s, a better path was then hollowed out to be traversable for future trekkers. Upon your journey to the trail, you will spot a breathtaking view of the mountains as well as some wildlife. Trekking La Ruta Del Cares will help a person to be more connected and resonant to nature both mentally and physically.
La Ruta del Cares
Address: 24915 Posada de Valdeón, León, Spain
Website: La Ruta del Cares
Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)
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4. View the eye-catching creations at Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias
Gaining its core collection from the composed works of Comisión Provincial de Monumentos Históricos y Artísticos, Museo de Pinturas de la Academia, and from many donations, acquisitions, and legacy deposits, the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias is a place where people can view large collections of fine arts created through different mediums. Currently, visitors can view all 15,000 pieces of artwork as permanent collections and even more in events and other special occasions. This museum is a great place to view the fantastic exhibits art the arts in its many different forms. If you are looking for a chill time appreciating artworks of many local artists in Spain, then the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias is a place worth visiting.
Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias
Address: Calle Sta. Ana, 1-3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 2pm, 4:30pm - 8pm; Sun: 11:30am - 2:30pm (closed on Mon)
Price: Free admission
5. Marvel at the historical Oviedo Cathedral
The Oviedo Cathedral was ordered into construction by Alfonso II the Strong way back in the 9th century. The building consists of two chapels. The separate chapels are known as the Crypt of de Saint Leocadia and the other one as the Chapel of Saint Michael. The columns of the cathedral are decorated with Romanesque apostolate and ever since has been known as the Columns of the Church. The cathedral was known to hold the holy relics from Toledo to keep them safe to from the Arab invasion at the time. The building is preserved history in plain sight. Any person who is interested in the religious past of Asturias should visit the Oviedo Cathedral.
Oviedo Cathedral
Address: Plaza Alfonso II el Casto, s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Oviedo Cathedral
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
6. Chill out and meet other people at Plaza del Fontán
Located in Oviedo’s old town, Plaza del Fontan is a square where people come to relax. The entire area is packed with cafes and boutiques that you will surely enjoy. If you are looking for a place to do meetups or to socialize with other people during the day, Plaza del Fontan is a simple yet elegant place do so.
Plaza del Fontán
Address: Calle Fontán, 9, 33009 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Visit the 9th-century historical Foncalada Fountain
The Fuente de Foncalada is the only civil service structure from the Middle Ages that can be visited today. It was built in the 9th century by the orders of King Alfonso III and was engraved with “with the sign of the pious you are protected, with this sign you shall defeat the enemy”. Today the Foncalada is known as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fountain continues to work remarkably and is available for people to visit. If you’d love to see a piece of a 9th-century structure that withstood all the war throughout the years, the Fuente de Foncalada is a place you should make time to visit.
Fuente de Foncalada
Address: Calle Foncalada, s/n, 33001 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Fuente de Foncalada
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Admire the amazing structure of Church of Santa Maria del Naranco
The Santa Maria Del Naracho was once the residence of King Ramiro I. The structure was built during the 9th century at the outskirts of Naraco Mountain. Today the structure has been converted into the Santa Maria Del Naracho Church which is also a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. As for the building itself, the structure was designed in the pre-Romanesque style and is still standing well with only a few renovations. The Santa Maria Del Naracho Church is one of the places you should visit in Oviedo if you are interested in the religious and political history of Asturias.
Church of Santa Maria del Naranco
Address: Monte Naranco, s/n, 33012 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Church of Santa Maria del Naranco
Opening hours: Sun, Mon: 9:30am - 1pm; Tue - Fri: 9:30am - 1pm, 3:30pm - 7pm (closed on Sat)
9. Click a photo with the iconic Statue of Mafalda
inaugurated in 2009, the statue of Mafalda has become one of the new most popular tourist attractions of Buenos Aires....
Posted by Roberto Cannavò on Thursday, 12 August 2010
Mafalda is a comic strip drawn and written by Joaquin Salvador Lavado Tejon (also known as Quino). The comic strip depicts stories about a six-year-old girl who is concerned about the world and bring out complex and utterly mature topics. Mafalda was meant to keep the people thinking while enjoying a fun comic strip. Mafalda is loved all over the world and a statue of her was made right here in Oviedo. If you are a fan of Mafalda and would like to take a picture with her along with several other statues from the comics, then Estatua de Mafalda is a place you should try to visit.
Statue of Mafalda
Address: Calle Uria, s/n, 33004 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Statue of Mafalda
Opening hours: 24 hours daily)
10. Take your family for a visit to Zoologico El Bosque
Another great way to spend time with your family would be to visit a zoo. Not only is visiting a zoo a great bonding activity but it is also educational at the same time. Zoologico El Bosque in Oviedo is a place that houses many species of birds, mammals, and plants in a spacious, well-vegetated environment. In a normal visit, there is a circuit that allows anyone to explore and learn for themselves without any guide. There are also guided visits which let you learn a lot more from the animals and plants and make sure that your queries are answered. So, if you love animals and would like to encounter them up-close in a safe environment, this zoo is the best place in Oviedo to do it.
Zoologico El Bosque
Address: Los Molinos 19, San Esteban De Las Cruces, 33195 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Zoologico El Bosque
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 7 USD
11. Be awed by the pre-Romanesque building of San Tirso
If you are interested in the religious history of Asturias, then do stop by San Tirso in Oviedo. San Tirso is a Roman Catholic church that was built in the Asturian pre-Romanesque era. With so many alterations done throughout the years, only a small portion of the front wall was kept from the original construction. San Tirso church is another place you try to visit as it is easy to find and not far from the center of the city.
San Tirso
Address: Plaza Alfonso II el Casto, 4, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: San Tirso
12. Catch a performance at Campoamor Theater
Teatro Campoamor is an important site for the city of Oviedo as it hosts major events in Asturias. The theater is also the main opera house of the city. It was constructed in the 19th century and is built and designed in a neoclassical theme. The place can hold up to 1,491 people at a time. If you are visiting Oviedo and interested in live opera performances as well as architecture and the arts, then stop by Teatro Campoamor but make sure to check their website for upcoming shows and events.
Campoamor Theater
Address: Calle Pelayo, 3, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Campoamor Theater
13. Enjoy a relaxing stroll at Campo de San Francisco
Are you visiting Oviedo to connect and get more in sync with nature? If your answer is yes, then a picnic and a stroll at El Campo de San Francisco is a great way of doing so. The area consists of a 22-acre (8.9-hectare) land located at the heart of the city. The place houses over 120 species of trees collected from all over the world. A cool thing about the area is that peacocks are a regular animal you could see around the park. If you are looking to spend your leisure time to relax and spend time with friends and family, El Campo de San Francisco is a fantastic place for such purposes.
Campo de San Francisco
Address: 33007 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Opening hours: 24 hours open (daily)
14. Have fun while learning about dinosaurs at Jurassic Museum of Asturias
Visiting Oviedo with the kids? The Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA) is a place where you and your children can learn about the development of life on the earth, different species of dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous era, as well as the human evolution in a fun and interactive environment. The place covers over 2,000 square meters (21,527.82 square feet) of land where many facilities and exhibits are scattered around. Spend time with the kids and maybe learn a thing or two about dinosaurs.
Jurassic Museum of Asturias
Address: Rasa de San Telmo, s/n, 33328 Colunga, Asturias, Spain
Website: Jurassic Museum of Asturias
Opening hours: 10:30am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 3 - 8 USD
15. Watch sporting events at Carlos Tartiere Stadium
The Carlos Tartiere Stadium is a huge rectangular structure that hosts a vast amount of sports events in the city of Oviedo. The stadium is mainly consists of a 105 by 68 meter (344 by 223 feet) football field, bleachers that can hold a capacity of up to 30,500 spectators, and other facilities. The stadium has also hosted many national and international events, particularly in football. If you love football or are a fan of the Spain National Football team, you should try to visit the stadium and watch them play live right before your eyes.
Carlos Tartiere Stadium
Address: Isidro Lángara, s/n, 33013 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Carlos Tartiere Stadium
16. Try out Spanish cuisine at Ca' Suso
There are a lot of things to do in Oviedo, one of them is to try out many of the Mediterranean and Spanish food that they offer. The Ca’ Suso is a restaurant that offers you authentic Mediterranean, European, and Spanish cuisine in an elegant well lit atmosphere. They also have a vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free option for those who are concerned with their health. If you go hungry on your trip, why not eat at a highly rated place? Ca’ Suso is well-known and rated well in aspects of food, service, value, and the general atmosphere of the place.
Ca' Suso
Address: Calle Marqués de Gastañaga, 10, 33009 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: Ca’ Suso
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 1:30am - 3:30pm, 9pm - 11pm; Tue, Sun: 1:30pm - 3:30pm (closed on Mon)
17. Socialize with people at La Salvaje
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Oviedo is filled with many coffee shops and restaurants that are great places to socialize with people during the day. But if you’d like to sample the nightlife, Oviedo has many great spots to choose from. Socialize at night through bars and clubs. If you love having great drinks accompanied by live musical performances with an energetic sociable crowd, La Salvaje bar is the best bar in town for such activities. They serve a great variety of drinks and would host special events regularly.
La Salvaje
Address: Calle Martínez Vigil, 9, 33010 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Website: La Salvaje
Opening hours: Thu: 9pm - 3am; Fri - Sat: 9pm - 5:30am (closed on Mon - Wed & Sun)
Historic and beautiful Oviedo
Oviedo is a city that holds great political, religious, and economic importance to the rest of Asturias. Many of the major venues are located inside Oviedo. So, if you are looking for a place filled with fun activities you and your family can do together, the city of Oviedo is a place you should consider.
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