Unique activities and tours this summer 2024 in Asturias

A whole range of possibilities will turn your summer 2024 into a succession of unforgettable moments. Cultural itineraries, dramatised visits, nature activities, sports, adventure and environmental activities, guided visits to museums and other cultural sites, to towns and cities, rides on tourist buses, boats or motorboats through idyllic scenery, etc. are some of the most suggestive proposals for this time of year.

The Asturian summer comes alive with different and enjoyable activities for all tastes and ages. Here we propose different and suggestive plans.

The Asturias Bear Foundation has opened registrations for the summer itineraries "Get to know our bears", which are free educational sessions with staff from the foundation itself that aim to raise awareness of the situation of the Cantabrian brown bear and its habitat, as well as the daily work with the bears Paca and Molina.

Specifically, they will take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in July and August until 8 September. The itineraries, which are free of charge, will begin at 10.30 am, at the Casa del Oso, in Proaza, and will last 90 minutes. After the guided tour of the facilities, visitors will take a walk to the enclosures where Paca and Molina live. In this second part, the bear keeper will explain the characteristics of these facilities and answer any questions that may arise.

In order to participate, prior registration is required by telephone (985 96 30 60) or by e-mail (info@osodeasturias.es).

The council of Mieres offers you a wide range of activities for the summer. Among the guided tours, we can highlight the one of Mieres del Camín, to visit the main points of interest of the city, as well as the Camposagrado Palace, one of the oldest buildings in this town and which has an impressive art gallery. There will also be guided visits to the Romanesque temples of the Camino de Santiago, to the Santa Bárbara well, as well as ethnographic routes.

There is also the possibility of touring the council by bicycle, or to take part in georoutes and a solar observation workshop.

All the activities are free of charge and in order to participate it will be necessary to make a reservation 48 hours before the date of each route through the municipal website (www.mieres.es), by e-mail (turismo@ayto-mieres.es) or by telephone (985 45 05 33).

Aller hosts a wide range of free activities aimed at all audiences: dramatised routes, guided tours, ethnographic routes, guided visit to San Vicente de Serrapio, Perseids week, introductory workshops on botany or orienteering gymkhanas in the mountains. In addition, the Aller tourist train will once again visit different places of interest from 3 August to 1 September.

The Redes Natural Park organises different activities during the summer: pottery workshops, guided visits to the museums of Caso, visits to cheese dairies, activities related to beekeeping, guided nature routes to different places in the Redes Park, etc.

Santo Adriano hosts a series of cultural itineraries, including a Journey to the origins of art; visits to the church of Santo Adriano de Tuñón; Villanueva, a peasant village; Paths of iron, and Art and Culture in the Middle Ages.

The Veranu en Payares programme offers sports and nature activities, music and gastronomy every weekend from June to September.

This initiative includes concerts, bike parks, astronomy and photography workshops, hiking, special menus and trial and basketball competitions. Likewise, the new Cuitu Negru cable car facilitates access for the public and sportspeople to the upper part of the resort.

This summer 2024 the programme of excursions The heritage itineraries includes the following visits: Tapia and Castropol; Cangas de Onís and Onís, with stops at Cuadonga/Covadonga and the lakes; Cangas del Narcea; Grandas de Salime; Tineo; Puerto de Vega, San Esteban and L'Arena, and Los Oscos and Taramundi.

These are routes to enjoy and appreciate the landscapes and nature of Asturias, as well as its culture and gastronomy.

If you would like to enjoy a guided tour of different points of interest in Ribadesella/Ribeseya, the town council offers this free service for locals and visitors.

All you have to do is book by calling 985 860 038.

The Miranda Power Station in Belmonte de Miranda, designed by the architect Vaquero Palacios, is open to guided tours during the summer. This hydroelectric power station is, due to its location, structure and characteristics, a privileged place to enjoy Asturian industrial heritage.

Advance booking is required, at least 72 hours in advance, either by telephone (985 762 311) or by email (info@belmontedemiranda.com).

Visits take place on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon, until 11 September.

During the months of July, August and September, you can visit the Chao Samartín castro in Grandas de Salime.

It is highly recommended to arrive between 30 and 45 minutes before the visit.

Visits are daily, mornings and afternoons, except on Sundays and public holidays, when there is only one visit at 13:30.

For reservations or more information, please call the Chao Samartin Museum: 697 187 091 or write to chaosamartin@grandasdesalime.es.

You can also call the Tourist Office Grandas de Salime 985 627 350, or write to oficinadeturismo@grandasdesalime.es.

Tourist bus tours are a very rewarding option for getting to know some places in Asturias in summer.

In Villaviciosa, during the summer, there is an ethnographic bus that takes you on an itinerary through the culturally rich rural area of the council. Villages such as Piedrafita, Fuentes and Sietes are obligatory stops.

In addition, in August, there is a Romanesque Bus, which tours the most emblematic Romanesque and pre-Romanesque churches in the council of Villaviciosa every Saturday of the month. The visits to the monuments are guided by experts in the art and history of the region. The churches on the route are San Andrés de Bedriñana, Valdediós, Valdebárcena and Santa María de la Oliva.

Likewise, from 1 July to 9 September, a transport service leaves from the town of Courias and goes to Monesteriu d'Ermu, in Cangas del Narcea.

Mieres also launches a free tourist bus to showcase its heritage. It will travel through Bustiello, the valley of Turón to visit the Espinos and Santa Bárbara wells and will go as far as La Colladiella. It will run every Sunday in August and the first Sunday in September. The service will start at 10 a.m. from the Town Hall square, where a guide will welcome the participants and will be the person in charge of accompanying them during the day.

On the other hand, Oviedo/Uviéu, the capital of Asturias, can also be visited by tourist bus.

Summer arrives and in Asturias there is a proliferation of tourist boats and motorboats, both on the sea and on rivers, estuaries and reservoirs.

Sailing on the river Navia in the area of the Doiras reservoir is a real adventure, where you will discover landscapes of great beauty, in a boat that respects nature. The route along the reservoir is provided by the "Andolina", a new and modern trimaran boat of 10 metres in length and 28 seats. The trip starts at the Doiras jetty, where the boat docks for the departures and arrivals of your recreational trip on the River Navia.

Throughout the summer, with daily direct services, the tourist boat La Carmela crosses from San Esteban to La Arena and vice versa.

In addition, there are 5 daily trips along the estuary throughout the day, departing from the port of San Esteban to La Arena, and then going up the Nalón estuary, passing in front of the Castle of San Martín and the Palace of La Magdalena, and arriving at the old jetties of the La Portiella bridge.

The Villaviciosa estuary is one of the most beautiful enclaves in Asturias and the summer season is ideal to fully enjoy this environment. In the summer there is a boat to go for walks or go fishing. There is also the possibility of canoeing or renting canoes.

Throughout the summer in Gijón/Xixón you can enjoy boat trips in the bay of Gijón/Xixón, lasting about 30 minutes and for all ages. This is not a guided trip, but a quiet ride where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city from the sea.

Along the route, you will enjoy an exceptional view of the local quay, a panoramic view of Cimavilla, the fishermen's quarter, the Santa Catalina hill, where the famous sculpture by Chillida "In Praise of the Horizon" stands and, finally, the beach of San Lorenzo.

A traditional boat trip on the Avilés estuary is a very attractive activity to get to know this city and its river and natural environment. During the trip you can discover a large number of interesting places, such as the Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Centre, the marina, industrial and fishing port, the village of Zeluán or the Llodero inlet, as well as the impressive Avilés lighthouse.

Sailing in the Eo estuary means sailing through one of the most picturesque and beautiful estuaries in Spain, and is an unforgettable experience. You will be able to see different aspects of the estuary's marine flora and fauna and experience the sensation of crossing under the impressive pillars of the Bridge of the Saints.

The companies that organise these services depart approximately every half hour, stopping at the ports of Castropol, Figueras and Ribadeo. Specific services can also be arranged for groups by prior reservation.

Boat trips along the coast of Cudillero during the summer are a highly recommended activity, as you can visit such impressive natural landscapes as the famous "iglesiona" at Cape Vidio, the cliffs of Rebeón and Vidio, and the beaches of Concha de Artedo, Oleiros, San Pedro de la Ribera and the spectacular beach of silence.

The boat trips along the coast of Ribadesella are a more than rewarding experience, as you'll find stunning spots for sailing. Departing from the Ribadesella/Ribeseya marina, you can take a boat trip along the coastline heading east (towards Llanes), contemplating the beautiful cliffs of El Infierno, as well as idyllic beaches, incredible castros (islets) and the imposing bufones de Pría. All this with the marvellous views of the Cuera and the Picos de Europa as a backdrop. Another option is a sunset walk, half an hour before sunset, enjoying the beauty of the sunset.

To make the most of your summer 2024 in Asturias, check out the Asturias Agenda!