Festivals, processions, gastronomy, nature, cities, art and culture... You'll find all this and much more at Easter in Asturias!
Imagine your ideal Easter getaway. If you're dreaming of a trip that includes eating a lot of good food, enjoying the great outdoors in places that are just as beautiful as any exotic destination, exploring cities steeped in history, as well as nightlife, art, culture and wonderful people... read on! Asturias is ready to offer you all this and more at affordable prices and just a stone's throw from your home thanks to Vueling. What more can you ask for? Well, actually... lots of things! Come at Easter, when spring is in full bloom and the temperature outside is perfect for exploring all that Asturias has to offer.
Don't know where to start? Jot down these essential plans in your diary
Picos de Europa National Park
Whether you love hiking or prefer simple and accessible walks, in the Picos de Europa National Park you'll find a route that is perfect for you. These historical mountains, dotted with towns that seem like something straight out of a fairy-tale, will allow you to enjoy wonderful views and a spectacular green and undulating landscape. You can do your own thing or book a guided tour, or catch one of the buses that go from the nearby towns. Get your camera ready: you'll be lost for words when faced with such beauty!
Explore the fishing villages
The Asturian coast is full of beautiful fishing villages that are always lively and cheerful, from the most touristy ones such as Cudillero, Llanes and Ribadesella/Ribeseya to other lesser-known ones such as Puerto de Vega and Navia. Here you'll be able to surrender to the dolce vita of Asturias, go for a stroll through its narrow streets lined with shops and along its lively promenades, eat delicious food and, naturally, end the day at a cider bar, drinking cider like a true local.
Fiesta del Bollo, in Avilés
On Easter Monday, the city of Avilés goes all out to celebrate the end of Easter. It is a festive day that is worth experiencing in person, at least once in your life. They celebrate the "Bollo", a buttery, frosted cake shaped like a four-leaf clover that godfathers and godmothers give to their godchildren. The festival lasts all day long, with live music, float parades, street parties and fireworks, among other things. It's a very original way of exploring the historic centre of Avilés, which contrasts with the avant-garde look of the Niemeyer Centre.
Fiesta de los Huevos Pintos, in Pola de Siero
On the Tuesday after Easter Sunday, make sure you go to the town of Pola de Siero to partake in the Fiesta of the Huevos Pintos. The entire town is filled with painted eggs, which show that in Asturias there are veritable artists that produce this curious form of art. Don't miss the market, where you can buy these spectacular eggs, and sign up for the Blessing of the Güevos Pintos (yes, that's the way they spell it!) in the Town Hall Square.
At this memorable festival, you'll discover that delicious cider flows freely and people eat and dance until the early hours of the morning.
Processions and other Easter traditions
You can't visit Asturias at Easter and not stop to enjoy the special atmosphere of the processions. The processions in Oviedo/Uviéu, Avilés, Villaviciosa and Gijón/Xixón (where there is also a market selling crafts and organic products that is worth visiting) are one of the most popular. In Villanueva de Oscos the Living Way of the Cross takes place, in which many of the locals take part. Another town, Ribadesella/Ribeseya, becomes a racecourse every year, where horse races take place on the beach.
Para los amantes del deporte
La Semana Santa es una época de lujo para los amantes del deporte, que podrán recorrer sus montañas y senderos disfrutando de una temperatura perfecta. La Reserva de la Biosfera Oscos-Eo, el Parque Natural de Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, el de Redes o el de las Fuentes de Narcea son algunos de los paisajes que vale la pena recorrer a pie, por no hablar de las cautivadoras vistas del Parque Natural de Ponga o del aire puro y la serenidad del Parque Natural de Somiedo.
Si las condiciones meteorológicas acompañan, también se puede probar con un descenso en canoa, o con el rafting, por ejemplo. Otra opción aconsejable es una ruta a caballo o en bicicleta y, si amas el mar, ¡ya tardas en ponerte el neopreno! Las olas asturianas te están llamando por tu nombre.
Un abanico de propuestas familiares
Asturias tiene de todo. También un buen despliegue de actividades para toda la familia, desde el Parque de la Prehistoria de Teverga, en el corazón verde y frondoso de Teverga, al Museo del Jurásico de Asturias (Muja), en la Rasa de San Telmo (Colunga), con las mejores vistas al Cantábrico que pudieron soñar los dinosaurios que ahora habitan el museo. Además, los ferreiros de Santa Eulalia de Oscos, los artesanos de las navajas en Taramundi, y mazos como el de Os Teixóis y El Mazonovo dejarán boquiabiertos a grandes y pequeños y te transportarán de un plumazo a otros tiempos.
