Asturias is an autonomous community on Spain's rugged northern coast, bordered by the Cantabrian Sea to the north and the Cantabrian Mountains to the south. Known as the 'Natural Paradise,' the region combines dramatic cliffs, emerald valleys, medieval villages, and the towering peaks of Picos de Europa National Park. Its Celtic heritage, distinctive cider culture, world-class seafood, and UNESCO-listed pre-Romanesque monuments make it one of Iberia's most rewarding destinations for independent travelers.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Asturias.
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1
Paleolithic hunter-gatherers inhabit Asturian caves; cave paintings at Tito Bustillo and El Buxu created
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2
Megalithic cultures; Bronze Age peoples settle Cantabrian mountains
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3
Celtic Astures tribes build hill-fort settlements (castros) across northern Iberia
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4
Roman conquest of Asturias during the Cantabrian Wars; Augustus personally campaigns in the region
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5
Visigoths control Iberia; Asturias remains semi-autonomous
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6
Moorish invasion defeats Visigoths at Battle of Guadalete; Christian nobles flee north
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7
Battle of Covadonga: Pelayo defeats Moorish forces; Kingdom of Asturias founded
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8
King Alfonso II 'the Chaste' builds pre-Romanesque churches (Santa María del Naranco, San Julián de los Prados) in Oviedo
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9
King Ramiro I builds Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo on Monte Naranco
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10
Kingdom of Asturias transforms into Kingdom of León; capital moves south
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11
Coal mining begins in Asturias—future industrial heartland
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12
Asturian Miners' Revolution (Revolución de Octubre): miners revolt against government; brutally suppressed by General Franco
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13
Spanish Civil War; Asturias falls to Nationalist forces in October 1937; Gijón bombed
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14
Industrial decline; steel and mining industry collapses; tourism becomes key economic driver
Historical sites
Places where Asturias's past comes alive.
Santa María del Naranco
Where: Monte Naranco, Oviedo
Admission: €3 / ~$3.27 adults; €1.50 / ~$1.63 reduced; combined with San Miguel €3.50 / $3.81
San Miguel de Lillo
Where: Monte Naranco, Oviedo
Admission: Included in Santa María del Naranco combined ticket
San Julián de los Prados (Santullano)
Where: Northern Oviedo
Admission: €3 / ~$3.27
Santa Cristina de Lena
Where: Pola de Lena
Admission: €3 / ~$3.27
Oviedo Cathedral (Catedral de San Salvador)
Where: Oviedo old town
Admission: Cathedral free; Cámara Santa €3 / ~$3.27; Museum €5 / ~$5.45
Covadonga Sanctuary
Where: Cangas de Onís
Admission: Free
Cave of Tito Bustillo
Where: Ribadesella
Admission: €7 / ~$7.63 adults; free under 12. Book at titobustillo.com
Castro de Coaña
Where: Coaña, western Asturias
Admission: €1.30 / ~$1.42