Car Hire Asturias Spain

Oviedo

Oviedo is the capital of Asturias, an illustrious and monumental city, with an exceptional quality of life; it houses prestigious institutions such as the University of Oviedo, the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias and is the venue for the Princess of Asturias Awards, where the most outstanding figures in science, sports and culture, both nationally and internationally, are recognized.

In Oviedo it is a destination that you will discover as you go along, some of the unmissable places in the historic centre of the city are the monumental Cathedral of Oviedo, located in the Plaza de Alfonso II de Castro and inside which is the Holy Chamber, one of the oldest buildings of the architectural complex. Along the same lines, you should visit the church of Santo Domingo, the church of San Isidoro, the convent of San Pelayo and the Campoamor Theatre, where the Princess of Asturias awards are held.

The palaces also form an important part of Oviedo’s architectural space, with monuments such as the Camposagrado Palace, the Conde de Toreno Palace -headquarters of the Royal Institute of Asturian Studies-, the Valdecarzana Palace, the San Feliz Palace and the San Cruz Palace.

The most iconic and unique postcards of Oviedo can be found in pre-Romanesque Oviedo, with monuments built before the 10th century, considered by experts to be one of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. Some of the monuments that make up Old Oviedo are the Church of San Julián, the Church of Santa María del Naranco, the Church of San Miguel de Lillo, and the Church of Santa María de Bendones.

As far as museums are concerned, the city of Oviedo is represented by the Archaeological Museum of Asturias and its impressive collection of prehistoric pieces, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Church Museum and the Cathedral Archive.

Gijón

On the shores of the Bay of Biscay is located Gijón, a city where the green and the waves define this natural paradise, with wide walks, exquisite beaches, a wide cultural variety and a constant festive vibe.

The Paseo de San Lorenzo and the Paseo de Begoña, invite you to breathe the freshness of the city, in the area of Begoña, you will find the Municipal Library, the Theatre and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You should also visit the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, a cultural centre that organises various activities and events throughout the year.

If you are a seafarer, during your trip to Gijón, you should visit the Musel, one of the most important ports in the Bay of Biscay, and complement it with a visit to the Asturias Maritime Museum in Luanco.

Among the most outstanding museums in the city are the Jovellanos’ Birthplace Museum and the select collection of works by the Gijón artist; as well as the Nicanor Piñole Museum, the Evaristo Valle Foundation Museum and the Pueblo de Asturias Ethnographic Museum.

To appreciate the monumental beauty of Gijón, throughout all its parishes, you must visit the Abbey of San Juan de Cenero, the church of Santa María de Veranes, and the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Trueces. As far as palaces are concerned, Gijón is well represented with monuments of the size of the Quinta del Marqués, in Porceyo; the Rodriguez Palace, in La Pedrera; the Palace of San Andrés de Cornellana, in Contrueces; and of course, the Palace of Revillagigedo, in the centre of Gijón.

One of the most contemporary postcards of Gijón is the Elogio del Horizonte, an interesting sculpture that rises on the Cerro de Santa Catalina, in the Barrio de Cimadevilla.

Avilés

Avilés is the third most populated city in the Principality of Asturias; an industrial, maritime and fishing town; with a historical imprint reflected in the impressive monuments that adorn the city.

During your visit, you should visit the Sabugo neighbourhood, an old fishing quarter and the Old Church of Sabugo. While touring the city, you will discover important buildings such as the church of San Nicolás de Bari, the palace of the Marquis of Ferrara, the palace of the Marquis of Camposagrado and the palace of Valdecarzana. 

Of course, before leaving you must visit the Niemeyer Centre, a modern building where events and exhibitions are held, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

In the middle of September, it is a very good date to visit Asturias, because in the city of Oviedo, the particular San Mateo Festival is celebrated, a great celebration for the whole family that includes the Day of America in Asturias with its traditional parade of floats, which also starts the Opera Season, and where the chiringuitos set the popular tone of the party in the old town.

The city of Gijón is exceptionally busy during the month of August, since during the first fortnight of the month, the city receives multi-sectorial exhibitors from all over the world at its International Trade Fair of Asturias, an event that serves as a bridge between companies and professionals from various sectors such as tourism, catering, and trade. And during the second week of the month, the event joins the Semana Grande de Gijón, a series of spectacular concerts in different parts of the city with the best exponents of the Spanish pop-rock scene.

The city of Gijón has exquisite beaches for all tastes. Starting with the popular beach of San Lorenzo, a large water shell suitable for the whole family. Then there is El Tostadero beach, Arbeyal beach, Los Mayanes beach, Cervigón beach and Peñarrubia beach, the latter being more suitable for nudists and naturists.