Oviedo : book your hotel

Oviedo is Spain's hidden historical gem. With its paved medieval streets, its famous Pre-Romanesque stone churches and its tasty pinchos to be savoured with a refreshing Asturian cider, the city is a spot you shouldn't miss as you travel through Asturias. Oviedo is also a stopover on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim's way and includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The city is nestled between sea and mountains, and it welcomes families, groups of friends, couples and solo travellers in a wonderful backdrop of rich cultural heritage and fine cuisine. Do you want to organise a stay in northern Spain? Read our tips and recommendations – and book the best hotel for you in Oviedo at all.com.

Oviedo's historical district is made up of a network of old paved streets lined with magnificent buildings, and it invites you to enjoy a host of picturesque strolls. The San Salvador Cathedral's Gothic spire – the medieval city's main landmark – towers 80 metres above a large square. Take a photo of it from the best angle by standing next to the fountain in the square's south-west corner: the church facade reflects in its water for a special shot. Oviedo cathedral – a stopover on the Camino de Santiago pilgrim's way – is open to visitors for a small charge. Make the most of your visit inside to see the adjoining Cámara Santa holy chamber, which contains the famous Arca Santa oak reliquary*.* Then carry on wandering the streets to admire the Ayuntamiento (city hall), outstanding churches and countless historical treasures.

Travel back in time at the Archaeological Museum of Asturias – you'll be immersed in the region's fascinating history through maps, 3D representations, audiovisual aids and artefacts. And art-lovers will enjoy the Fine Arts Museum of Asturias. Behind its dark facade, a wonderful collection of classic and contemporary oeuvres – including works by Dalí and Picasso – awaits you. What's more, admission is free.

If you're looking for a spot of refreshing greenery, unwind in the Campo de San Francisco park, just a stone's throw from the old town. There you can enjoy a family picnic or a romantic stroll. Take a seat on one of the benches beneath towering shady trees and watch the peacocks wandering the lawns and the ducks on the sparkling ponds. The park is dotted with sculptures and monumental ruins, and entry to this lush oasis is free, so treat yourself to some relaxation away from Oviedo's bustle.

The stone churches of Oviedo have made the city well known, and you'll see clearly why these monuments were given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you go looking for them, your trail will take you to the foothills of Oviedo, beside the age-old Santa María del Naranco church. From there, you can admire a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Are you looking for the authentic flavours of Oviedo? Then head to El Fontán market. There you'll find all the local products you'll love to sample, including tasty cheeses laid out for sale on delightful, festive stalls in an airy, warehouse-like building. Just outside it, on the square, you can go shopping for your souvenirs.

The centre of Oviedo is brimming with restaurants that serve both world food and traditional dishes. Spanish cuisine is steeped in wide-ranging influences from the country's multicultural history, and Oviedo's specialities are no exception. Fabada is doubtless the most emblematic dish in Asturian cuisine, a filling stew of soft beans and local pork meats. If you've got a big appetite, be tempted by a mouth-watering cachopo, a kind of breadless burger that's very popular: two big steaks, clasping between them ingredients including tasty cheese, are coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Rice, chickpeas, mixed vegetables, fish and seafood also feature in Oviedo's local dishes. For a delicious dessert, relish a carbayón, a speciality from Oviedo made of marzipan and puff pastry.

Brittany and Normandy aren't Europe's only cider-producing regions – Asturias is also known for this famous apple-based alcoholic beverage, and Oviedo is full of factories where you can sample local cider. Why not sip some with a selection of local cheeses? The region produces no fewer than 40 or so varieties of cheese, from the milk of goats, sheep and cows.

The bars and nightclubs of the old Casco Antiguo district come to life in the evening for you to enjoy a festive atmosphere. Calle Mon is especially lively at night, and you'll find a wide range of ambiances in the different spots this street offers. Or for a more original evening out, why not go to the Teatro Campoamor to watch a *zarzuela,*a Spanish lyric-dramatic musical? Its programme also includes classical plays and ballets. If you stay in Oviedo in September, you might get the chance to see the San Mateo Festival, which features games, concerts, fireworks and sports competitions.