Spanish city rarely visited by Brits named top destination this year with new train routes and world-famous cider
A CITY in Spain that Brits rarely visit has been named a top destination to visit this year.
Oviedo, in Astrurius, is a few hours from Madrid by train thanks to a new high speed service that launched last summer.
Named annual Destinations To Watch by ABTA this year, they praised the city as being a “largely undiscovered gem”.
It was also Spain‘s gastronomy capital in 2024, so foodies will be able to find amazing food while there.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot wrote: “The capital of northern Spain’s Asturias region has squares full of restaurants and bars.
“Try the bean-and-sausage casserole fabada and carne gobernada – beef slow-cooked in white wine and onion.
“Wash it all down with the local cider, or sidra, before sailing home with via Bilbao.”
Despite this, it is overlooked by tourists, welcoming around 600,000 a year (compared to Barcelona’s peak of 14.6million pre-Covid).
The region is known for its natural cider, being one of the world’s largest producers.
Visit the bar La Pumarada where you can learn how to pour the cider and staff perform with the bottles high above their heads.
If you want some culture, there is the Catedral de San Salvador, one of the main attractions, as well as the pretty Santa Maria del Naranco church, which was converted from a palace in the 12th century.
Or for some piece from the city bustle, there is the urban park Campo de San Francisco with 968,751sqft of lush gardens and greenery.
One Spanish local said Oviedo was even their favourite city, praising the weekend-sized and walkable.
Also praising the large portions of food, they told the Times: “Small plates do not really feature in Asturian cuisine — Oviedo is the Spanish city for anyone tired of tapas.”
Hotel chain options include Barcelo Oviedo or AC Hotel Oviedo Forum, ranging from £65 to £80 for rooms.
If you want a budget option, there is an Ibis with rooms for under £30 a night.
While you can visit Oviedo on a day trip from Madrid, you can also fly to Aviles with Vueling, taking just under two hours from the UK.
The city is then around 30 minutes by car.
This makes it one of the easiest places to get to from the UK, with its northern location meaning its one of the fastest flight options.
Being inland, the nearest beach to Oviedo is at the coastal city of Gijon, with three sandy ones to choose from less than an hour away.
Everything you need to know about visiting Spain
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.
Here’s another Spanish city set to be big this year, this time in the south of Spain.
And a Spanish seaside resort has seen a huge 1,795 per cent increase in people looking for holidays since 2019.