Oviedo

Oviedo is the capital of the Principality of Asturias and one of the cities with the most history in northern Spain. It was the capital of the Asturian kingdom in the Early Middle Ages and preserves a group of Pre-Romanesque buildings —Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Cristina de Lena— declared UNESCO World Heritage. The city combines this medieval legacy with an active university and commercial life and an Asturian gastronomy of national renown.

Oviedo Cathedral, of Gothic origin with later additions, houses the Holy Chamber, where relics such as the Cross of the Angels and the Arca Santa are kept. The old town, with Plaza del Fontán, Calle Gascona —known as 'the cider boulevard' for its concentration of sidrerías— and El Fontán market, is ideal for strolling and tapas. The Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias and the Campoamor Theatre complete the cultural offer.

Asturian cider is poured from height to oxygenate it; in Oviedo's sidrerías it is accompanied by tortilla, cachopo or fabada. Fabada asturiana, cachopo, cheeses (Cabrales, Afuega'l pitu) and bollo preñao are essential. Oviedo has an oceanic climate: frequent rain and mild temperatures; summer is the driest season. The city is well connected by road and train to Gijón, Avilés and León; Asturias airport is about 40 km away.

Oviedo is a perfect base for exploring Asturias: within an hour are Gijón, the coast, the Picos de Europa and villages like Cangas de Onís or Llanes. Two days in the city are enough for the Pre-Romanesque sites, the Cathedral, the Fontán and cider tapas. Spring and autumn offer good weather; rainy winter but with a cosy atmosphere.