Oviedo in ten arrows
354 kilometers of coastline, endless beaches and fishing villages, green landscapes and cities full of life, seven spaces declared Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO, an enviable collection of pre-Romanesque art and even the legacy of human groups in the Paleolithic... * * Asturias is all that.**
its capital, Oviedo , celebrate in a few days **(from September 14 to 23) ** the festivities of San Mateo : free concerts in the cathedral square, beach bars with music, drinks, pinchos and 'bollos preñaos' (homemade bread rolls stuffed with chorizo) put rhythm to a few days of activities, fireworks and fun.
If you needed an excuse to visit the Asturian city, look no further and let yourself be guided by our Express guide of essential places to sleep, eat, see, dance…Enjoy!
Enjoying the Asturian capital in ten essential stops
1.**TASTE THE BEST CACHOPO IN SPAIN AT THE PICHOTE CIDER HOUSE ** _(Plaza Gabino Díaz Merchán, s/n) _
One of the greatest attractions of the region is undoubtedly its gastronomy. Among the most acclaimed dishes in Asturias is the Veal cachopo , which consists of a battered veal fillet wrapped in ham and cheese.
This cider house can now boast of having won for the second consecutive year the award for the best cap (they offer several versions of it), with a recipe that consists of Asturceltic pork, smoked cream cheese, frisuelo and boletus.
Located in the upper area of the city, the restaurant is worth the trip and a walk to 'download the food' through the San Francisco park is a great plan.
Cachopo from Sidrería Pichote
2. **SUNDAY IN CAMILO DE BLAS OR EL RIALTO** _(Camilo de Blas: Calle Jovellanos, 7, 1 bajo; El Rialto: Calle San Francisco, 12) _
Indulging in a sweet treat in Oviedo is a Must do. To do this, two options that have already become a claim by themselves for the city head the list of cafes and places to have breakfast or snack.
Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona, by Woody Allen, put the **Camilo de Blas confectionery** on the world map, and its incomparable carbayones They brighten the palates of many inhabitants daily and the souvenir boxes of tourists who visit the city. In addition, the store, which opened in 1914 , is worth a visit on its own: its original marble counter and its design have an exceptional charm.
Traditionally, on the other hand, in Oviedo, they have a snack Rialto Muscovites …or pancakes with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Whatever the diner's choice, taking the time to savor a sweet at one of the tables of that sweet shop that opened its doors in 1926 in the historic center of Oviedo is an ideal option to feel the daily life of people from Oviedo of all ages.
The sweet paradise of Oviedo
3.**TASTE THE HEALTHEST BREAD IN THE WORLD AT FERMÍN DE PAS ** _(Calle González Besada, 3, 33007 Oviedo, Asturias) _
This charming little shop sells all kinds of seeds, spices, cereals, dehydrated fruits, pasta, flour, algae and other organic foods from around the world in bulk.
Among its careful selection of more than 500 products is, exclusively, the 'healthiest bread in the world' , a loaf made with teff flour, soluble oat fiber, whole wheat flour, walnuts and a touch of cinnamon and its name is Torrelavega bread ’.
This delicacy was devised by a multidisciplinary team from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Cantabria, advised by the Oviedo nutritionist Ramón de Canga. Its studied composition promises to reduce cholesterol and prevent diseases such as cancer or osteoporosis.
Fermin de Pas
4.**TASTE A VEGAN FABADA, CACHOPO OR VEGAN SQUID RADIES AT CASA CHEMA ** _(La Arquera, 184, 33140 Oviedo, Asturias) _
This prestigious Oviedo restaurant, famous for having won the award for the ' Best Fabada in the World’ last year and current winner of the award for Best Asturian Pincho (the Pitu Caleya Terrine) completes its successful gastronomic offer with a curious vegan menu.
The idea? 16 preparations that reinterpret the classic specialties of our gastronomy: Spanish omelette, croquettes, bean stew, aubergine meatballs, cachopo with seitan, black pudding based on Nerone rice...
Lifetime cooking aimed at a new gastronomic front and led by chef Joaquina Rodríguez, a member of the guisanderas club, a group of women who ensure the safeguarding of classic Asturian recipes.
Prestige and years serving fabadas
5.**LEARN HOW TO POUR CIDER OR DRINK A FEW 'CULINES' AT EL GATO NEGRO ** _(Plaza Trascorrales, 17, 33009 Oviedo, Asturias) _
One of the most successful cider houses in the old town is this place that is located quite close to another of the key points for cider lovers in Oviedo: Gascon street.
As in any traditional cider house, the menu offers everything type of portions, meats, a very interesting cellar …and above all cider , whose scents add melody and scent to Asturian afternoons and evenings.
Pouring a cider at El Gato Negro is a classic
**6. ENJOY THE BEST FISH IN THE CITY 'ABOARD' THE MIDDLE SEA ** _(Calle Mon, 18, 33003 Oviedo, Asturias) _
This restaurant has been one of the favorites in Oviedo for fish lovers for years.
At the tables that surround a bar in the shape of a multicolored wooden boat, all kinds of dishes from the sea are enjoyed (among them the famous cachopo of hake, stuffed with asparagus, prawns and cheese ) and many frequently go to the restaurant to enjoy a good pot of hake or some good Fabes with Clams.
7. VISIT THE CERVANTES BOOKSTORE _(Calle Dr. Casal, 9) _
Created in 1921 , this independent bookstore in Oviedo (the most important in Asturias and one of the most important in our country) has won several awards throughout its history (including the Cultural Bookseller Award in 2002 ) and is one of the city's shopping must-sees.
We recommend you get on his already famous Loft , a plant dedicated to 'opportunities' of the moment , with a selection of books at a good price.
Selling books and betting on paper since 1921
**8. HAVE A DRINK AT LA SALVAJE ** _(Calle Martínez Vigil, 9) _
This place in the old part of the city has already become a benchmark for live music and cultural events in the Principality.
Divided into two floors, the venue offers acoustic concerts, cultural events, book presentations, charity events, DJ sessions and live concerts. Perfect to have a drink and dance for a while or discover some new talent from the current Asturian culture.
A benchmark for live music
9.**HAVE BREAKFAST AT DOS DE AZÚCAR ** _(Calle Fierro, 19, 33009 Oviedo, Asturias) _
Finish an early morning stroll through the traditional Fontán market (which is an ideal place to buy beans, some Cabrales cheese or typical products of the region to take home) with a good coffee and a vegan cake or a personalized bowl of cereal in this charming little place is a perfect plan to start the day.
two of sugar
10.**STAY AND RECHARGE ENERGIES AT THE GRAN HOTEL LAS CALDAS VILLA TERMAL ** _(Las Caldas s/n) _
The buildings of this five star hotel constitute a unique sample of the Spa architecture from the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. If the guest wishes, staying within its walls can become the best wellness experience one can imagine.
They say that half an hour of floating in the waters of the salty pool 'of the columns' of the famous Balneario Real de Las Caldas is equivalent to to four hours of sleep in terms of rest.
Between jets, rest areas, hammams and saunas, a pool inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, and other areas that recover the essence and design of a spa that boasts more than two centuries of history, the visitor can enjoy a hydrotherapy experience in which lights, sounds and wellness form a spectacular combo to heal body and soul.
Say goodbye to Oviedo with a relaxation plan at Las Caldas Villa Termal