Avilés

Day Trips

Begin your day with a stroll through the winding cobblestone streets of Avilés’s historic quarter, admiring medieval façades and quaint balconies. Pop into a local café to savor a cortado paired with a freshly baked croissant while soaking up the gentle hum of early activity. Pause at the Plaza de España to observe the elegant Baroque church of Santo Tomás de Canterbury as morning light filters through the trees.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch in a traditional sidrería, sampling artisan cheeses, savory chorizos, and the famous Asturian cider poured tableside. Spend the next hour wandering the leafy paths of Parque de Ferrera, discovering hidden statues and lush gardens. Conclude with a visit to the Casa de Valdés museum to learn about the city’s maritime heritage.

Dine at a riverside restaurant overlooking the Ría de Avilés, savoring fresh seafood specialties like zamburiñas and grilled sea bass. As twilight falls, join a guided night tour to uncover ghostly legends and illuminated landmarks of the old town. Cap the evening with a glass of local vino verdejo at a cozy taverna under the stars.

Start with breakfast at a café near the Ría, enjoying pan con tomate and locally pressed orange juice. Head across the Avilés estuary to the Centro Niemeyer and marvel at its bold curves and reflective pools. Explore the rotating contemporary art exhibitions and interactive installations housed within its futuristic pavilions.

Have lunch at the on-site bistro, sampling seasonal salads and artisanal sandwiches infused with Asturian ingredients. Attend a workshop or join a curator-led tour to delve into the architectural philosophy of Oscar Niemeyer. Later, walk along the riverbank promenade to admire the center’s silhouette against the water.

Return to the city center for a relaxed meal of fabada asturiana in a family-run restaurant. Join an evening performance or film screening at the Centro Niemeyer auditorium for a taste of international culture. Finish with a riverside stroll, watching the reflections of modern architecture dance on the estuary.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast of bocadillo de jamón Ibérico at a bustling panadería. Begin your cultural immersion at the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, studying its intricate façade and medieval bell tower. Continue to the Gothic Church of San Salvador to admire its stained glass and frescoed ceilings.

Lunch at a traditional sidra bar offers the perfect break: try the cachopos paired with a crisp, pourable cider. Head to the Museo de la Historia Urbana for an interactive journey through Avilés’s evolution from fishing village to industrial hub. Wander through artisan shops selling hand-painted ceramics and local textiles.

Savor an early evening coffee and pastries in Plaza Carbayedo, where locals gather to chat. Book seats for a live folk music performance celebrating Asturian bagpipes and drums. Conclude with a moonlit walk along the Ría, listening to the gentle lapping of water against the quay.

Depart early for a coastal drive to Salinas Beach, where golden sands and rolling dunes await. Enjoy a seaside picnic of freshly caught anchovies and crusty bread while breathing in the Atlantic breeze. Wander the boardwalk, pausing to watch surfers catch morning waves.

Continue to the fishing village of Luanco for a seafood lunch at a waterfront marisquería, feasting on clams and razor clams. Explore the narrow lanes lined with pastel-painted houses and charming boat docks. Visit the Municipal Archaeological Museum to see artifacts from Roman settlements along the Asturian coast.

Return to Avilés and dine on a fusion menu blending Asturian flavors with modern presentation. Take a sunset walk along the Paseo de la Ría, capturing golden hour shots of the city skyline. End the night at a local jazz bar, enjoying live riffs and craft cocktails.

Enjoy an early breakfast of yogurt, honey, and seasonal fruits at your hotel. Venture into the nearby landscape around Muniellos Forest Natural Reserve, tackling scenic trails shaded by ancient oaks and beeches. Pause at a fern-carpeted clearing for panoramic views of rolling hills.

Picnic in the woods with local cheese, cured ham, and a refreshing cider. Continue your hike to a hidden waterfall, listening to the tranquil rush of water over moss-covered rocks. Photograph wildflowers and birds through a telephoto lens as you meander along quiet woodland paths.

Return to town for a restorative spa session featuring seaweed wraps and thermal pools. Delight in a farm-to-table dinner showcasing seasonal mushrooms and tender game meats. Unwind with a herbal tea by the fireplace while recounting the day’s natural wonders.

Begin with a visit to the Mercado de Avilés, sampling artisan breads, smoked fish, and local honey. Chat with vendors about traditional techniques and savor a shot of homemade apple liqueur. Stock up on regional cheeses and cured meats for later tasting.

Book a guided tour of a family-run cider mill in the nearby countryside. Learn the process from orchard to bottle as you crush apples by hand and sample freshly tapped cider straight from the barrica. Enjoy a rustic lunch of tortilla española and empanadillas in the mill’s orchard.

Participate in a cider-pouring workshop back in Avilés, mastering the perfect escanciado. Indulge in a multi-course gastronomic dinner at a Michelin-recommended restaurant featuring cider-paired dishes. Wind down with a nightcap of sweet dessert cider as soft music drifts through the venue.

Set off before sunrise to reach the cliffside village of Cudillero at first light. Wander the serpentine streets clipped into the hillside, lined with rainbow-hued fishermen’s cottages. Photograph the tranquil harbor as fishing boats return with their morning catch.

Sample local specialties—octopus, percebes, and pates de la ría—at a seaside eatery. Hike up to the Mirador del Pico for sweeping panoramas of the Cantabrian Sea and rugged coastline. Explore artisan shops selling lacework and handcrafted trinkets in traditional Asturian motifs.

Return to Avilés for a relaxed dinner of grilled sardines and roasted peppers at a tavern favored by locals. Stroll the riverfront promenade under lampposts reflecting in the water. Conclude with a flamenco-inspired performance at a cozy cultural venue.

After a light breakfast of tostadas con tomate, meet your guide at the estuary’s edge for a safety briefing. Embark on a kayaking tour, gliding past mangroves and saltmarshes teeming with wading birds. Stop at a secluded inlet to observe herons, egrets, and oyster catchers through binoculars.

Enjoy a picnic of empanadas and fresh fruit on a sandbank accessible only by kayak. Paddle on to spot diving ducks and migratory flocks feeding along the tidal flats. Return upstream to examine the historic shipyards and learn about Avilés’s maritime trade.

Change into dry clothes and head to a local gastrobar for a cold beer and pintxos. Watch the sunset over the estuary from an elevated terrace, the sky painted in vivid oranges and purples. Finish the evening with a quiet riverside chat, listening to the soft ripple of water.

Start with a café con leche at a family-run coffeehouse before joining a pottery workshop. Under the guidance of a local ceramist, shape clay into traditional Asturian vessels. Learn about regional motifs and firing techniques passed down through generations.

Break for lunch at a heritage restaurant serving stewed mushrooms and braised meats. Then participate in a leathercraft class, hand-stitching a small keepsake using Asturias-sourced hide. Discover the history behind each tool and the significance of intricate embossing patterns.

Enjoy an informal tasting of local artisanal chocolates and marzipan creations at a boutique sweet shop. Dine at a farm-to-table venue emphasizing seasonal produce and small-batch products. Reflect on your creative endeavors over a nightcap of herbal sage liqueur.

Pack your bags after a sunrise stroll along the Ría, savoring a final pastry at a waterfront kiosk. Present your photos and souvenirs for last-minute recommendations from shopkeepers. Relax at a terrace café, soaking in the city’s morning calm.

Enjoy a leisurely farewell lunch at a Michelin-starred establishment, sampling a tasting menu of Asturian delicacies reimagined with modern flair. Revisit favorite spots—perhaps the Parque de Ferrera or the old town’s hidden squares—for one last look. Toast to new friendships over sparkling cider.

Cap off your journey with a sunset cruise on the estuary, admiring Avilés’s skyline from the water. Share stories with fellow travelers as the day fades into a palette of pastel hues. End your evening with a heartfelt dinner at a beloved local eatery, promising to return soon.