10 Fairytale Villages in Asturias – Part II

Dreams and stories find their finest source material in Asturias; indeed, any enchanting or magical tale finds the setting that captures its very essence in this land. A stroll, a glance, a moment of inspiration, a spell of tranquillity, a smile, a gentle touch… anything is possible in the fairytale villages you come across so naturally in Asturias, whichever way you turn…

Here we bring you 10 fairytale villages that, once you’ve discovered them, you’ll never want to forget! (And which form the second instalment of our series ‘Fairytale Villages in Asturias’)

Bermiego, in the municipality of Quirós, could be the ideal setting for a fable – the sort that leaves children wide-eyed and continues to captivate adults. And the fact is, this village in Quirós has all the ingredients for literary inspiration with a moral: age-old charm, a traditional atmosphere, incredible views, friendly locals, boundless tranquillity, the crowing of roosters, the barking of dogs, the rustling of leaves in the trees or the singing of birds… It couldn’t be more inspiring.’

Bermiego seems to be suspended in mid-air, halfway up a hillside, right at the foot of an imposing mountain… It has an almost legendary air about it, as if something extraordinary had happened there thousands of years ago.

And that feeling becomes even more apparent as you walk towards the church of Santa María, next to which stands its famous, thousand-year-old yew tree, designated a Natural Monument and a true emblem of the rural landscape of Asturias. Tradition has it that the relics of the Holy Ark passed very close by on their long journey from Jerusalem to Oviedo Cathedral, and it is likely that this yew tree – or one of its predecessors – may well have witnessed this historic journey…

Be that as it may, Bermiego and its yew tree make for a truly fairy-tale setting!

If there is one place in Asturias that colourfully and spectacularly embodies the grandeur of the architecture and atmosphere of the ‘Indianos’, it is undoubtedly Somao, in the municipality of Pravia, named ‘Exemplary Village of Asturias 2020’.

If you take a stroll around Somao, you’ll be impressed not only by the Indian-style houses but also by their splendid gardens, their walls and their wrought-iron railings, which are true works of art, and also by the views of the entire coastal plain and the River Nalón from certain spots in the village.

Somao serenely and beautifully blends the atmosphere of an Asturian village with tales of the Indian overseas world and the legacy of figures who have been patrons and leading figures in Asturian economic development.

Amidst hydrangeas, hórreos and colonial estates, this unique village raises its palatial towers to the sky in an atmosphere of the utmost tranquillity!

Ceceda/Cecea, in the municipality of Nava, is a wonderfully sunny village with stunning views – among the most beautiful in the entire Cider Region.

It has grown up around a hill, down whose slopes its houses cascade as if they were the branches of a great tree.

Wandering through Ceceda/Cecea is a truly delightful experience. Added to the village’s natural tranquillity is the hospitality of its people and the charm of its well-preserved and varied architecture: typical village houses, stately homes, houses built by those who returned from abroad, Modernist buildings, and so on… And then there is the endless charm of its hidden corners: the Chapel of Santa Lucía, the Campo de la Iglesia, or the restored medieval bridge known as Raicéu over the River Piloña, which stands at the foot of the hill from which Ceceda gazes serenely out over the landscape.

Ceceda/Cecea offers you a thousand different faces, each one more captivating than the last!

Soto, in the municipality of Sobrescobio, is a village that looks as though it has stepped out of a fairy tale. Nestled at the bottom of a valley and surrounded by mountains, the whole scene makes for a picture-postcard view. The village is criss-crossed by the River Alba, which lends it an old-world charm, with a landscape of bridges linking the two banks of this charming hamlet.

In Soto, the atmosphere is all about the mountains and hiking. It’s no surprise that it’s the gateway to the famous Ruta del Alba, also known as the Foces del Llaímo. So, along its cobbled streets, on the numerous terraces and in the many establishments where you can sample the delights of Asturian cuisine, it is a common sight to see people of all nationalities, perfectly kitted out to set off on this route, or to enjoy a well-deserved rest after having completed it.

There are many corners of Soto that will capture your heart: its wash houses, its chapels, its fountains, its scenic neighbourhoods, its parish church, its fishing area and the spot for bathing in the River Aba, and its people, who are friendly and chatty, with a very special charm – for the magic of this village will treat you to moments like the one in the photo, where you can watch the artists at work…

Nestled in the heart of the Redes Natural Park, Soto is a village where sport, nature and gastronomy make for the perfect trio!

Tucked away on the Asturian coast, as if it were a privateer’s harbour, lies Tazones, in the municipality of Villaviciosa. The village’s streets are winding, some are cobbled, and its fishermen’s houses are colourful and simple.

Tazones smells of the sea and seafood – the very best – bearing the unmistakable hallmark of the Cantabrian Sea. In every house, on every corner, in every ‘chigre’ or restaurant, the kitchens of Tazones fill the air with the aromas of the delights of fine Asturian seafood cuisine.

Tazones has a harbour and a beach, and even dinosaur footprints right by the shore. It also has an intriguing past linked to imperial Spain, which has shaped its destiny ever since (more than 500 years ago)… It so happened that one fine day, the grandson of the Catholic Monarchs – who would go down in history as Charles I of Spain and Charles V of Germany – happened to land in Tazones by chance, aged just 17 and whilst travelling to Spain for the very first time.

Nowadays, this episode is commemorated every August with a superb historical re-enactment that puts Tazones on the European cultural map! (Which, by the way, is highly recommended and you’ll love it).

Can you imagine arriving at the village of your dreams by walking through a cave? Well, that’s exactly what happens when you visit the village of Cueves, in the municipality of Ribadesella. After travelling a few kilometres along a typically Asturian winding road and passing through landscapes of great beauty, you come upon the enormous mouth of a cave, through which a river flows at the foot of the road. The microclimate you’ll experience is that of a cave in all its authenticity, and even as you gaze at the great stone walls or the rocky ceiling, you’ll make out the extraordinary shapes typical of a karst landscape where stalactites and stalagmites have been growing for thousands of years.

Truly marvellous. Especially when , as you pass through the rocky hollow, you come across a long, narrow village, with houses on either side of the road, brightly coloured hydrangeas by the wayside and corn cobs hanging from the granaries…

Cueves, with its little chapel, its railway station, its bar-cum-shop selling Asturian specialities, and its tranquillity, is a marvel of nature!

In Asturias, you can discover villages with unforgettable aromas and flavours. One of them – which lends its name to one of the finest artisan blue cheeses you’ll ever taste – is Gamonéu.

What’s more, there are two places called Gamonéu: Gamonéu de Cangas and Gamonéu de Onís, situated in two neighbouring municipalities that are like siblings within the Picos de Europa region, where there is a long-standing tradition of sheep farming and cheese-making.

That is why a walk through this area will always have this wonderful cheese as its backdrop, in its two varieties: Gamonéu del Puerto and Gamonéu del Valle.

Both Gamonéu de Onís and Gamonéu de Cangas are two charming mountain villages, with friendly locals, where you can make the most of the scenery, nature and Asturian cattle!

The drive up to Sotres from Poncebos is a real treat for the eyes, gently leading you into the striking landscape of the Picos de Europa.

Sotres, in the municipality of Cabrales, has a captivating atmosphere where locals, livestock farmers, hoteliers, adventurers and climbersall come together …and this mix gives the village a unique feel.

Nestled at the bottom of a valley and surrounded by mountains of breathtaking height, Sotres embodies the character and culture of the quintessential high-mountain village, and serves as a waypoint for countless routes through the Picos de Europa.

Thanks to its location, Sotres is the ideal starting point or finishing point for exploring the central massif of the Picos de Europa, and if you fancy sampling some fine Cabrales cheese, where better to do so than in Sotres!

As it appears on the horizon, As Veigas, in Taramundi, looks like a miniature work of art, nestled at the bottom of a valley. Little by little, the winding road will reveal the nuances of the lush, green landscape to you, until your gaze takes in a spectacular panoramic view of a spot that looks as though it has been plucked from a mythological tale, where the xanas enchant you with their songs and the trasgos roam freely.

The magic of stone and slate reaches its peak of beauty in As Veigas, and in the heart of this little village you’ll feel as though you’ve switched off from the stresses of everyday life. A stroll through its streets and nooks and crannies will undoubtedly offer you an unrivalled moment of relaxation that will remain etched in your heart forever…

As Veigas is a veritable mythological dream of vibrant colours!

Wind and sea, waves and sea spray… Four elements of nature that the inhabitants of Ortigueira, in the municipality of Coaña, know inside out, and which you’ll get a real taste of when you visit this fishing village in western Asturias, which has retained all its traditional charm.

Ortigueira offers a landscape that strikes a perfect balance between Indian-style houses and fishermen’s cottages, which cling to a steep hillside bathed by the Cantabrian Sea. The beautiful esplanade where the lighthouses stand is the perfect vantage point from which to take in the entire coastline, whilst at the same time transporting you back to the days of brave fishermen who risked their lives for their daily bread.

Its small, secluded harbour is straight out of a film, and getting there will be an unforgettable experience…

Ortigueira will transport you back to the seafaring atmosphere of yesteryear!