10 Things to Do in Oviedo in Winter

Oviedo is a city that throughout the year is presented as a good tourist alternative for those who want to enjoy the northwest of Spain. In turn, the best things to see and do in Oviedo are usually related to the natural environment of this city. And the fact is that Asturias has one of the best forest reserves in the whole country, as well as the rest of the autonomous communities of this region.

I invite you to continue reading this publication, since you will be able to get a more concrete idea about the kind of trip you would experience when visiting the city of Oviedo during any of the winter months. Which is also appropriate knowing that you save yourself the logistics of thinking about many things related to your trip and you could also pack and plan your money based on these kinds of ideas.

The Lakes of Covadonga are a series of static bodies of water near this famous inland town in Asturias. On an excursion departing from Oviedo to this place you will find different places such as the Entrelagos viewpoint along with the opportunity to go on some hiking trails around the Ercina lake and Enol lake.

The basilica of Covadonga, which is made with stones extracted directly from the nearest mountain, is a truly impressive building that you will also see on an excursion like this one. This type of tour also includes a stop at a typical Asturian restaurant that will allow you to explore the gastronomy of the region.

This is one of the best things to do in Oviedo and its surroundings during the winter due to the fact that you are likely to get some snow on the day of your tour and anyway the cold of the season makes the whole thing a winter experience worthy of an alpine landscape.

Details of interest:

• Price: the price for an excursion like this is usually around 40€ per person and children aged 6-17 usually get a discount on that standard rate.
• Duration: the usual duration of the excursions is about 10 hours approximately and therefore can be a plan for the day you have more unoccupied in your visit to Oviedo.

Cider is one of the typical beverages of Asturian gastronomy and specifically during the winter it takes on a very special relevance for the festivities of Epiphany and New Year. As well as the need to warm up with alcohol in the cold weather conditions of this Spanish region.

In turn, the important Gascona Street is known locally as the Cider Boulevard, because along its length there are a variety of establishments dedicated exclusively to the sale of this Asturian drink. So it is an excellent idea that you take a stroll through this tourist section of the city during your winter visit to Oviedo.

I can not fail to recommend that you take advantage of snacking in one of the establishments on this street. If you want to recommend any of them , I would say that you should choose the Ferroviario restaurant, the Villaviciosa, the Pumarada or the Terra Astur bar. Keep in mind that the Asturian tapas in the Spanish culinary world is one of the most distinguished for its gastronomic authenticity.

The Fontán square is undoubtedly one of the most representative places in Oviedo when it comes to touring the architectural beauty of this unique city. It is very common that tourists at all times of the year and especially in summer or winter sit in this square to enjoy a good Asturian afternoon admiring the beautiful colors of the buildings that are at the four ends of this public space.

Now, this site is also known for the fact that a market is held since the mid-nineteenth century. During all the weekends of the year, the offer of products is prepared according to the harvests that can be obtained from the Asturian countryside and when you visit this market in winter you have the opportunity to find gastronomic elements that are typical of these dates.

Actually, visiting this market is also one of the best things to do in December in Oviedo, since you will find all kinds of Christmas products as well as culinary elements that would be very useful to create an authentic Christmas Eve dinner in Asturian style.

The beauty of the surroundings of Oviedo are one of the great attractions of the city throughout the year and specifically in winter they become of special importance, as they show the Asturian identity in its maximum splendor. For this reason an excursion to these three Asturian towns is an activity to do in one of the days of your winter visit to the capital of this famous Spanish territory.

Keep in mind that these are cities located along the Cantabrian Sea and exactly for this reason during the winter they become a totally special place that you can not miss if you appreciate the beauty of the places you know in a tourist excursion. At the same time it is important that you keep in mind that this type of excursions are usually given in groups of up to 20 or 25 people and the most common is to choose vehicles that include internal air conditioning to protect you from the cold characteristic of the Asturian winter.

Details of interest:

• Price: the approximate rate per person is usually around 40€ and you have to keep in mind that it does not include meals or drinks.
• Duration: the standard duration for an excursion departing from Oviedo and visiting these three cities of the Cantabrian coast is usually about 10 hours. However, despite its duration it is one of the best plans you can make this season if you visit the Asturian capital.

The Picos de Europa are a small section of the Cantabrian mountain range located between the autonomous communities of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. It is a rather peculiar site, as it is a mountain massif quite close to the sea and within Spain is the most visited national park after the Teide, located on the island of Tenerife.

During the winter most of its peaks have a permanent snow formation and this makes it a highly recommended tourist destination for those who visit Oviedo during some date in this season of the year. It is a recommended destination for the admiration of the landscape and for short but entertaining hiking trails.

Of this type of excursions you have to know that they are usually private tours for a single family group in which you have the option of a personalized pick up directly at your accommodation in Oviedo. It is also good for you to keep in mind that they offer complete flexibility when choosing the restaurant where you will eat before your return to the city.

Details of interest:

• Price: prices for an excursion like this vary according to the number of participants, although the average rate is usually around 100€ per person.
• Duration: the approximate duration of this type of tour is around eight and a half hours, but it should be taken into account that the Cantabrian mountain range is about 90 km from Oviedo.

The name of the Winter Park has to do with the fact that this public space in the city of Oviedo is one of the favorites among the local population when it comes to enjoy some of the frequent snowfalls that usually occur in the capital of the Asturian territory.

In this area there are about 650 laurel trees that clearly will not have their leaves during your winter visit. Don't worry, though, as you will find a skating rink as well as a perfectly preserved Asturian farm.

Visiting this site is one of the best things to do in Oviedo with children all year round, as it is a safe bet for them to play freely in a completely free place. Besides, you have to take into account that it is one of the favorite places for Oviedo locals to go for a walk during the holidays.

The scenery of the nearby forest reserves is a distinctive attraction of the city during this time of the year. It is therefore a good idea for you to participate in an activity that involves hiking and a chance to relax in an authentic 18th century spa located on the outskirts of the city.

Basically, this is a plan where you would follow a pre-established route with the accompaniment of a guide leaving from the winter park south of the city along the tracks of an old Railway. Along the walk you will also have the chance to learn about many historical details associated with this Asturian town.

Eventually, after having walked about 10 km you will arrive at the famous spa and there you will have the opportunity to enjoy a bath in its warm thermal waters as well as a walk through its saunas. This type of package tour includes the possibility of receiving a message from the specialists of the establishment and the day usually ends with a three-course menu that you can enjoy just before a private car takes you back to the center of Oviedo.

Details of interest:

• Price: this is not an economical activity, however, it is recommended for those who are thinking of getting exclusive and entertaining activities in their winter visit to Oviedo. The price per person is usually around 115€.
• Duration: the approximate duration of this activity is about five or six hours in total. This taking into account that the walk takes some time and the enjoyment of the spa is usually extended for at least four and a half hours.

Oviedo is a city that has a large number of public squares that are worth visiting as well as those with winter markets offering locally produced gastronomic products.

At the same time, this time of the year, winter, is an ideal time to visit them because you will not find thousands of tourists that usually gather in such places at times like summer vacations.

If I have to highlight some of these squares that are an excellent attraction for a vacation during the winter months in Oviedo I would say that you should visit the Town Hall Square next to the Plaza de San Isidoro. As well as dedicating a part of your days to the colorful and famous Plaza de Trascorrales.

Uría Street is an important commercial space in this city that stands out at the same time for the beauty of its architectural constructions. You can reach it after having an entertaining walk through the park of San Francisco which is probably snowed during the coldest days of a winter vacation in Oviedo.

In turn, walking through this part of the city is a good idea if you are interested in taking advantage of the discounts that are usually given during the winter. In this season of the year all the clothes that are still left to wear for the summer have significantly big sales.

Actually, walking this street could also be one of the best things to do in Oviedo in the summer if you go with the intention of shopping in the opposite direction. For all winter clothing will be much cheaper during that time.

Being a city with so much history in which most of the buildings date back to medieval times , it is logical that there are many urban legends and a lot of mysteries related to the world of paranormal activities.

Taking that into account, a tour focused on the spooky legends of Oviedo can be one of the best things to do during a visit to this city in the winter months. Especially knowing that winter nights tend to have a much more appropriate atmosphere and ambiance to scare you with enthusiasm in this type of experience.

Details of interest:

• Price: these types of tours can't get any cheaper because on average they cost about 12€ per person.
• Duration: the standard duration of a sightseeing tour like this is usually one hour and 30 minutes.

As Oviedo is a city located in the extreme northwest of Spain, it is predictable that winters are a bit more severe in this part of the country than in the rest of the peninsula. The minimum temperature during these months of the year usually hovers around negative degrees while the maximum does not usually rise above 12 °C.

Despite the fact that Oviedo is less crowded than in summer, it is still a favorite tourist destination for winter vacations and therefore you will find a significantly large number of people. At least if you visit the city during the first half of January.

Winter is a much cheaper time to visit Oviedo due to the fact that summer and its high tourist demand makes all Spanish cities increase their prices a bit for a matter of commercial convenience.

If you visit Oviedo in winter, it is essential that you bring appropriate footwear in case of snowfall. Which is quite likely at least during the coldest weeks of the year.

Quality coats will be a must in your suitcase and I recommend that you do not forget to bring sunscreen, as during the winter there is also the possibility of sunburn on your face.