Avilés is Asturias’s best-kept secret — a compact medieval city where Gothic arcaded streets, world-class contemporary architecture, and some of the freshest seafood in northern Spain exist in extraordinary harmony. Most cruise passengers rush straight to Oviedo, completely missing a gem that rewards the curious traveller who simply wanders. Don’t be that person.
Arriving by Ship
Your ship docks at the Puerto de Avilés, a working industrial and commercial port that handles vessels directly at the quay — no tendering required. The cruise terminal is modern and functional, with taxis and shuttles readily available dockside.
The historic old town is just a 15–20 minute walk from the port, or a quick €5–8 taxi ride. The city centre is compact and easily navigable on foot once you arrive.
Things to Do
Avilés punches well above its weight for a city of 80,000 people, blending medieval heritage with genuinely surprising modern culture. Give yourself at least five to six hours to do it justice.
Architecture & Culture
- Centro Niemeyer — The stunning cultural complex designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (at age 100) is a collection of futuristic white domes and towers on the waterfront; entry to the grounds is free, exhibitions from €5, open Tuesday–Sunday 10:30am–8pm.
- Calle Galiana — Wander this perfectly preserved medieval arcaded street, one of the finest in Asturias, lined with 14th-century stone porticos; completely free and utterly photogenic.
- Church of San Nicolás de Bari — A beautiful Romanesque-Gothic church dating to the 12th century housing the ornate tomb of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the founder of St. Augustine, Florida; free entry.
- Plaza de España — Sit at the heart of the old town’s elegant main square, ringed by Baroque facades and buzzing café terraces; it costs nothing but an hour of your time.
Day Trips & Excursions
- Cudillero fishing village — A jaw-droppingly picturesque amphitheatre village tumbling down a cliff to a tiny harbour, just 25km west of Avilés; well worth joining a guided tour. 🎟 Book: Cudillero, Aviles and Cabo Peñas Lighthouse Tour from Oviedo
- Avilés Scavenger Hunt — If you prefer exploring independently, this self-guided city tour sends you hunting for hidden details across the old town for just USD 10.53 and takes roughly two hours. 🎟 Book: Avilés Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour
- Luarca & the coast — Combine Avilés with the cliffside town of Luarca and Cabo Peñas lighthouse on a full coastal sweep that covers Asturian highlights in a single day. 🎟 Book: Day trip to Luarca, Cudillero and Avilés from Oviedo and Gijón
Families
- Parque de Ferrera — A gorgeous free public park with centuries-old trees, duck ponds, and open lawns just five minutes from the old town; perfect for a mid-day break with kids.
- Avilés Street Art Circuit — A growing collection of large-scale murals scattered through the city’s neighbourhoods makes for a surprisingly fun free self-guided walk.
What to Eat
Asturian cuisine is robust, deeply traditional, and fiercely regional — and Avilés is one of the best places in the region to eat it authentically without tourist-inflated prices. Head to the old town’s tapas bars and sidrerías (cider houses) for the real experience.
- Fabada Asturiana — The region’s iconic slow-cooked bean stew with chorizo, morcilla, and pork; try it at Sidrería Casa Lin on Calle La Fruta, around €12–14 for a generous portion.
- Pote Asturiano — A heartier winter stew with greens, beans, and potatoes; widely available in local restaurants from €8–10.
- Fresh percebes (barnacles) — These strange, prized crustaceans are a delicacy along this coast; find them at the Mercado Municipal de Avilés or order them at any traditional bar for €10–18 depending on weight.
- Sidra Natural (Asturian cider) — Order a bottle at any sidrería and watch the barman pour it dramatically from height to aerate it; a bottle costs €3–5 and sharing is obligatory.
- Cachopo — A colossal deep-fried breaded veal fillet stuffed with ham and cheese, essentially Asturias’s answer to a schnitzel; expect to pay €14–18 at Restaurante La Serrana near the old town.
- Arroz con leche — Asturian rice pudding, caramelised on top and silky underneath; it’s on nearly every dessert menu for €3–4 and far better than you’d expect.
Shopping
The Mercado Municipal on Calle San Francisco is your first stop — a covered market packed with local cheeses (especially smoked Afuega’l Pitu), cured meats, and fresh produce from Asturian farms and fishing boats. This is the real deal, not a tourist market.
For crafts, look out for locally made cider vinegar, artisan cheeses packaged for travel, and Asturian ceramics with distinctive dark-green glazes in the small independent shops along Calle Galiana. Skip the generic souvenir shops near the port entirely — they sell nothing you won’t find at any Spanish port.
Practical Tips
- Currency — Spain uses the euro; credit cards are widely accepted, but carry €20–30 in cash for markets and small bars.
- Tipping — Rounding up the bill or leaving small change (€0.50–2) is perfectly appropriate; large tips are not expected.
- Getting around — The old town is entirely walkable once you arrive; taxis from the port are cheap and reliable.
- Best time ashore — Go early; Spanish lunch service runs 1:30–3:30pm and that’s when the city is most alive and kitchens are at their best.
- Safety — Avilés is a safe, laid-back city; standard common-sense precautions around your belongings apply.
- Language — Basic Spanish phrases go a long way; English is spoken at the Niemeyer Centre but less commonly in traditional bars and markets.
- How long you need — Five to six hours covers the old town, Niemeyer, a proper lunch, and some shopping comfortably.
Pack your appetite, leave the guidebook crowd heading for Oviedo, and let Avilés quietly become the most unexpectedly wonderful port day of your entire voyage.
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
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📍 Getting to Aviles, Spain Asturias
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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