10 Things to Do in Oviedo in Summer

It's summer in Oviedo! And that means it's time to get out and explore the city and the surrounding area. Visiting its parks, surfing along the surrounding beaches, going to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago, hiking and joining in the seasonal fiestas and festivals are just some of the best things to do in Oviedo.

Whether you're looking for things to do inside the capital like finding Mafalda, or on the outskirts where you can find the European brown bear, or you can go hiking in the Picos de Europa, here are the top 10 recommendations for fun during these months.

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, you will find it here, in the Picos de Europa. During the walk through this park you can not only sit back and enjoy the scenery, but it is the ideal place for trekking, conquering every peak, crossing its valleys, rivers and lakes!

The route often includes passing by the Basilicaof Santa María la Real de Covadonga, Santa Marina Beach, Tito Bustillo Cave, Lastres, the fishing village, passing by the Roman Bridge on the way to Cangas de Onís, just over the river Sella, the Lakes of Covadonga, Gijón and more.

To make the complete tour of the Picos de Europa, Lagos de Covadonga and Cangas de Onis from Oviedo it is recommended to take a tour, to walk through all the emblematic sites, but you can also approach by bus, car or train but in this case you will miss the urban hiking.

The excursions to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés from Oviedo are among the most popular and in summer the festivities and festivals add charm to the route.

To begin with, the second week of August sees the Avilés Beer Festival, the largest beer gathering in the Cantabrian Sea. For the event there are several stands with craft beers from Asturias, as well as references of the precious beverage and national and international gastronomy.

On August 15, the ringing of bells marks the beginning of the Fiestade San Roque, the patron saint of Oviñana, one of the main parishes of Cudillero. The celebration lasts for a week, beginning with a religious ceremony, followed by open-air dances, musical shows, sporting events, children's games, terraces full to the brim and ending with a lively night party.

. Finishing the celebration route, every August 21st at midnight the fireworks announce the beginning of the Feast of San Timoteo in Luarca. Verbenas, bagpipes, games, street theater, processions ... there are proposals for all tastes, a worthy closure of a vibrant route.

At the end of September, a large group of people decided to follow the Camino de Santiago and their starting point was in Oviedo, birthplace of King Alfonso II, who is considered the first pilgrim since the year 834.

The route can be followed with a personal map, traveling from town to town until you reach Santiago de Compostela, however, two alternatives that have gained affection are:

Flavors and history of the "Camino Primitivo" in short version

The Camino de Santiago covers a route of 20-30 kilometers at each stage so it is challenging and takes several days to complete, but if your time is limited and you still want to follow in the footsteps of the Jacobean cult, the Flavors of the Camino tour allows you to walk the first 12 kilometers of the original route, better known as the "Camino Primitivo", while reliving the history of the pilgrim as you follow in his footsteps with a local guide.

The route often passes by Mount Naranco, the Cathedral of San Salvador, the monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, hills, pastures and Asturian forests until you reach a terrace where Oviedo gastronomy closes the midday excursion.

The Way of St. James by train from Oviedo

Nowadays, the Way of St. James is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and every year thousands of pilgrims join this tradition and in cases where comfort prevails over adventure, it is possible to follow the Pilgrim's Route.

The route is ideal for those who visit Oviedo in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit or more to follow the route of the Camino de Santiago. The train passes through Viveiro, Ortigueira, Ferrol and Santiago de Compostela. At all of its stops you have the option of touring the countryside without worrying about the logistics of the excursion.

Ready to take on the Nalon River? In this activity on the outskirts of the Asturian capital, you can kayak on the Nalon River between Las Caldas and Trubia. This is one of the best excursions from Oviedo!

The trip starts at Puerto de Tarna and ends between San Esteban and L' Arena, where the Pravia estuary is formed. As you paddle along, wild birds and a majestic natural landscape draw the Asturian stamp.

During the crossing of the river you go through areas of waves, rapids, slides, and backwaters so you must be attentive to the instructions of the monitor, who indicates the safest way to paddle. It is an exciting experience, often done in groups and the combined routes of easy and difficult sections adds adrenaline to the event.

The San Mateo festival is a big event in Oviedo, the biggest summer party in the capital. Concerts, beach bars, circus shows, plays and children's games in San Francisco Park are essential parts of this festival that highlights America's Day in Asturias.

Traditionally this two-week festival spans the beginning of the Jubilee of the Holy Cross, passing through America's Day in Asturias, until the Big Day, September 21. Pilgrims culminate their request for indulgence during the Day of the Bollo with the traditional "Pisado de la uva" and Les paxarines -protective amulets-, while enjoying a chorizo bun.

These festivities have been taking place for centuries in the streets of Oviedo with a range of leisure activities.

The Asturian coastline is 427 kilometers long and includes some of the most beautiful corners of the Cantabrian Sea and from Oviedo you can easily reach the areas with the best beaches in northern Spain.

Cudillero

In this parish stands out Playa del Silencio also known as Gaviero, you find it going down a 500 meters path from the road after a 45 minutes drive from Oviedo. The water is turquoise and the landscape is a spectacle to be admired.

Llanes

It is located 1 hour from Oviedo and its marine wealth is so great that three of its beaches are among the top of the Cantabrian Sea. So you can choose between Playa de Gulpiyuri, Playa de Torimbia or Playa de Andrín.

Villaviciosa

A 40-minute drive away you will find Rodiles Beach, in the middle of theNatural Reserveof the Ria Villaviciosa, a fascinating meeting place for surfers and water sports enthusiasts, thanks to the wind currents that shake the sea at will.

On September 8, the Day of Our Lady of Covadonga is celebrated and Asturias is decked out to celebrate its patron saint.

From the first day and throughout a week the city presents a full program of activities, from storytelling, mountain races, concerts, festivals, to the train of the witch because children have their space among the rides with legends and mysteries of Ovadonga. And if you want to visit the sanctuary of the virgin, take a trip to Covadonga!

Visit the Lakes of Covadonga, stroll through the Picos de Europa, contemplate the traces of King Pelayo and the Spanish Reconquest next to the basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga, then go to the sanctuary in the cave that draws the relief of the virgin and of course, do not forget to pass through Cangas de Onís where the day of our "Santina" fills all its streets with joy.

Oviedo has a wide range of parks and green areas, which are the best places for sports fans and children to spend their summer days.

There are parks such as Purificación Tomás, Winter, West and Santullano. In them there are children's areas, promenades, picnic areas, green areas with trees and plants, sports courts, bike paths, volleyball courts, skate parks, municipal swimming pools and much more.

And if you feel like adding history and entertainment among your things to do in Oviedo with kids, you can go to Campo San Francisco, where besides being a perfect place to spend time with family or friends during the summer months, you can also get close to some of the sculptures like the famous Mafalda of Oviedo.

If you are looking for a way to get into the nature of Asturias, this is the kind of excursion that has your name on it. During this walk you will encounter the biodiversity of thePonga Natural Park, an area that boasts the lowest population density in the Principality. It is almost virgin!

This type of excursion allows you to see wolves, capercaillies, deer and even the European brown bear, especially if you organize your trip in late summer. And not only that, you can also walk through Viboli, the Roman Bridge of Grazos, the viewpoint of Les Bedules, Casielles and more of the surrounding area of the Picos de Europa.

The valleys, mining villages and the varied landscape invite you to take pictures of every corner. For mountain lovers who would like to get to know the surroundings of Oviedo in 1 day, this tour is a good option.

From the capital of the Principality you can set off on an exciting adventure: the sighting of the Cantabrian brown bears. Are you ready to meet these stars of the Asturian animal world? This type of day trip from Oviedo takes you to Teverga, Cangas del Narcea, Ibias, Degaña and of course, the National Park of Somiedo, natural habitat of the brown bears.

During the passage through the different enclaves you can also see wolves, wild boars and chamois. If your visit takes place at the end of summer, apart from the bears, it is possible to witness the rutting of the deer, which takes place between September and October. Sighting tours make several stops in ideal places to enjoy the sighting, as you know that animals are unpredictable! Fortunately, summer is the best time to get both encounters.

Other activities you can do are to enjoy the views towards the Somiedo Lakes, participate in Pola de Somiedo -the Nueite Market-, hiking, even horseback riding.

The city's climate is pleasant all year round, with warm temperatures and dry weather almost every day. During the summer the weather is delightful in Oviedo. The average temperature is 22 °C and rarely drops below 15 °C between July and September.

The hottest days are usually during the first week of August, when temperatures of 23 °C have been recorded. So you only have one task: pack everything to enjoy the best season of the year in Oviedo!

Oviedo, Spain, is a great place to visit all year round. But for those who want to make the most of the capital during its best time of the year, schedule their visit during the summer season.

Its climate, program of activities, parties, excursions, concerts and festivals are a constant from July to September. There are also open swimming pools, parks, trains with special routes and let's not forget its lively terraces.

Oviedo is a city with an average price level similar to other cities in Asturias, especially when it comes to eating and shopping. Its prices are for all pockets, they adapt to the purchasing level of the local or tourist, and the same is obtained with services and products.

In the capital of Asturias you can enjoy a good breakfast for less than 15€, plus drinks are usually included, there are literally no "hidden costs".

You can also find menu bars in Oviedo where you can have lunch for about 10€. Going to the best cider bars in Oviedo or tasting some of the best cheeses in the world are some of its great attractions and the prices are affordable.

Now we come to the top of the offer, the hotels. Summer is the most expensive season thanks to the high season that brings the Camino de Santiago, the passage through the Picos de Europa, as well as the leisure offer. During that time a budget hotel can cost between 50 € and 60 €.