Oviedo in 1 Day: all you need to know

The capital of Asturias is a beautiful city with a unique gastronomy and incomparable landscapes. If you are touring the north of the peninsula and have planned to spend a day in this city, take a look at this itinerary to find out the best things to do in Oviedo during a visit.

This is a very complete itinerary in which you can see the main tourist attractions of the Asturian capital.

Your day trip in Oviedo starts in the old part of the city. This is where you will find the Plaza del Fontán, one of the most iconic places in Oviedo. This colonnaded square is the perfect place to enjoy a well-served cider. Also, if you go at the weekend, you may be lucky enough to catch one of the folk groups dancing and singing traditional music in the square.

Very close to the square is the Fontán market, a food market where you can find all kinds of typical products of Asturian gastronomy, from fish to meat, cheeses and sausages. If you are travelling to Oviedo on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, you will be pleased to know that a traditional street market is held around the market.

Just a minute's walk from the Fontán market, in the Plaza de la Constitución, is where you will find Oviedo's beautiful Town Hall.

This square is usually a very busy place for tourists and locals alike. In the Town Hall square itself you will find the Tourist Office, where you can ask for information if you need it. The Town Hall also shares space with the church of San Isidro el Real.

This is one of the oldest parishes in the city, dating back to the year 1200. The church was originally located in the La Viña neighbourhood, in what is now known as the Plaza del Paraguas. However, it was later moved to the site of the old Jesuit church of San Matías. What used to be the façade of the church can still be seen today in the San Francisco field.

Next to Toledo City Hall, just a minute's walk away, is another of the city's most famous and busiest squares. Trascorrales square allows you to live an experience in which you can fully immerse yourself in the Asturian culture and see the city beyond the tourist's eye.

In the square you will find a bronze statue of a milkmaid and her donkey, a reminder of the importance of this work in Asturian culture. The statue is the work of Manuel Linares.

In the past, the Fontán market was located in this square. However, at the end of the 19th century, it was moved to its current location. The building that was left empty after the move is now a cultural centre where exhibitions and events are held.

A 3-minute walk from Trascorrales square, you will find the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias. Without a doubt, this is a must-see on your day trip to Oviedo. Admission to the museum is free and it houses some of the most important national and international artists, such as El Greco, Goya, Picasso, Dalí and Sorolla.

Since it is located in a very central location, if you can't see it in its entirety for fear that you won't have time for other things, you can always come back if you have a few hours to spare. The museum is open from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 20:30.

This museum has one of the largest art collections in Spain, with more than 15,000 pieces from the 14th to the 21st century. The museum is located in the historic centre of Oviedo and occupies a total of three buildings of architectural importance in the Asturian city: the Velarde Palace, the Casa de Oviedo-Portal and the Ampliación building.

The Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias is located next to the Cathedral of San Salvador. At the top of the Cathedral square, you will see a statue in honour of Ana Ozores, the main character in Leopoldo Alas' novel 'La Regenta', which is set in Oviedo.

Oviedo Cathedral, also known as the Sancta Ovetensis, is one of the greatest Gothic jewels of the Principality of Asturias. Although in the original design the cathedral was to have two towers, due to lack of budget, it only has one.

This has a height of 80 m, divided into 5 floors. In addition, the cathedral has three completely independent naves. The central nave of the cathedral has a width of 10 m and a length of almost 70 m. Inside the Cathedral of Oviedo, there is the Holy Chamber, which was declared a World Heritage Site. Inside the Holy Chamber are kept great treasures such as the Holy Shroud, the Holy Ark, the Ark of the Agates or the Cross of the Angels.

The Plaza de la Escandalera is one of Oviedo's favourite places to sit and read something or relax in the sun. It is less than a five-minute walk from Oviedo Cathedral. This square is the link between the old part of the city, which is the area you have visited so far, and the commercial area of Oviedo.

In the Plaza de la Escandalera square you will find some of the most important buildings in the city, such as the Thermometer, the Caja de Asturias and the Casas del Conde. In addition, the Campoamor Theatre is also located in this square.

On the other hand, some of Oviedo's most famous sculptures are located in the square, such as the 'Maternidad', also known as the fat one, which is the work of Botero. The Plaza de la Escandalera has not always been called this way, as it began to receive this name at the end of the 19th century. The origin of the name is a matter of debate, as there is no certainty as to the reason for this name.

There are many legends that circulate around this square. If you are a curious person and like mysteries, I recommend a tour on this theme.

In the Plaza de la Escandalera you will find the Campoamor Theatre, the most important theatre in the city. The theatre opened its doors in 1892 and has hosted many great artists of the national and international scene. The Campoamor theatre hosts the oldest opera season in Spain. It is here that the Princess of Asturias Awards are held, as well as other events of great importance, such as the Dance Festival or the Film Series.

The theatre was built between 1883 and 1892 by the architects López Salaberry and Siro Borrajo Montenegro. This theatre occupies the space where the convent of Santa Clara used to stand. Previously, the theatrical works were housed in the Corral de Comedias del Fontán. However, over the years the space became too small, especially for the bourgeoisie of Oviedo. For this reason, at the end of the 19th century, the new theatre was inaugurated.

This activity is one of the best things to do in Oviedo in winter, as you can take shelter from the rain and cold.

Oviedo's Campo San Francisco is a beautiful park where the city's families stroll every day. It is less than a five-minute walk from the Campoamor Theatre. It is one of the best things to do with children in Oviedo and is the great green lung of the city. It has an area of 90,000 m2, of which more than 50,000 are green areas.

The origins of this park date back to the 13th century. At the beginning, the Campo San Francisco de Oviedo was the orchard that corresponded to the Franciscan Monastery, a building now occupied by the General Assembly of the Principality of Asturias. Thus, from the beginning until now, the park has changed quite a lot in its shape. Already in the 16th century, that orchard became a space open to the public.

As well as being able to stroll through the park, this beautiful place full of vegetation offers a wide range of activities. You can go and see the ducks and swans on the pond, visit the ruins of the Romanesque church of San Isidoro, have a chocolate con churros for a snack or meet squirrels and peacocks.

The park also has a flower calendar that is updated daily. It is very common for tourists to have their photo taken with the date, so keep your camera handy. You will also find a Mafalda sitting on a bench, which is one of the main sculptures in the park.

Mount Naranco is a must-see on your trip to Toledo. It stands on a hill at an altitude of 636 metres, less than 15 minutes' drive from the Campoamor Theatre. From here you can see the best views of the city and it is a favourite place for locals to enjoy nature and sports activities.

The mountain has hiking trails, cider houses, recreational areas and even riding clubs. At the highest point, there is a recreational area with picnic areas and swings.

However, the aforementioned is not the most important thing about this mountain. What makes a visit to Mount Naranco a must on your day trip to Toledo are the monuments on the slopes of the hill, as well as the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer).

One of the most important is Santa María del Naranco, one of the main symbols of pre-Romanesque art. This monument has been declared a National Monument and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its origins date back to the 9th century, under the mandate of King Ramiro I. As well as Santa María del Naranco, on the slopes of the mountain you can also find San Miguel de Lillo, a church from the pre-Roman period.

Gascona Street is about 10 minutes' drive from Monte Naranco. In case you want to go on foot, the walk will take you about 45 minutes. The reason why I take you to this street is because it is the street with the most cider bars in Oviedo.

This way, you can end your day in the city in style by drinking a good cider and accompanying it with delicious tapas. One of the best cider bars on this street is Villaviciosa, which offers a daily menu and a selection of casseroles.

You can also try La Pumarada cider house, which specialises in seafood and traditional gastronomy. It is also an inexpensive establishment with great gastronomic quality. If you can't find a place in the previous options, you can also opt for El Ovetense, located between Gascona street and the cathedral.

As you can see, there are many things you can do in Oviedo in 1 day. The only thing you should bear in mind is to organise your time well and know the opening times of the different attractions. If you have more time in the city, I also advise you to take a look at the best tours of Oviedo.