What to see in Oviedo in 1 day, the city of La Regenta and the pre-Romanesque

The main places to see in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, are the old town, the beautiful Gothic cathedral and the Campoamor Theatre, where the famous Prince of Asturias Awards are held.
In addition, in the surroundings of Oviedo there are some of the most important pre-Romanesque monuments.
It was founded in the year 761 by King Fruela I and was the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias as well as a place of pilgrimage as it was found on the Camino del Norte to Santiago.
Tour with the best things to see in Oviedo in 1 day
To visit Oviedo in 1 day we recommend that you do some of the following activities and excursions that will make it very easy for you:
- Tour of La Regent through Oviedo
- Guided tour of the Cathedral of Oviedo
- Dramatized tour of medieval Oviedo.
1. The Escandalera Square
You can start visiting Oviedo in the Plaza de la Escandalera where some of the most emblematic buildings of the city are located, such as the Casa Conde or the headquarters of the Caja de Ahorros de Asturias.
The main shopping streets of Oviedo start from the Plaza de la Escandalera and it is also the point of entry to the Old Town. We can also admire the statue of La Maternidad and in it is one of the ends of the Campo de San Francisco, the lung of the city.
2. Porlier Square and surroundings
Through Calle San Francisco we arrive at Plaza de Porlier, very close to the Cathedral, and where the main attraction is a statue of a traveler with his suitcases while resting.
It must be said that this type of statues and sculptures is very typical of the city of Oviedo. In one of its corners is the University of Oviedo and around it we can admire the best palaces to see in Oviedo such as the Palace of Camposagrado, from the 18th century, and the Palace of the Count of Toreno, the birthplace of Queipo de LLano.
3. The Cathedral and the Holy Chamber
Finally we arrive at the main monument to visit in Oviedo, the Cathedral of San Salvador. It is a Gothic temple that began to be built in the 13th century but whose construction ended in the 16th century with its imposing tower.
The construction of the Cathedral of Oviedo was carried out in the same place where there were several pre-Romanesque elements such as the Holy Chamber. The Holy Chamber was declared a World Heritage Site and is where the Relics of the Cathedral are kept, such as the Holy Ark, the Holy Shroud, the Cross of Victories, the Cross of the Angels and the Box of Agates.
In addition, in the Cathedral, the main altarpiece stands out, the Chapel of the Chaste King, which is where the Kings of Asturias are buried, or the cloister. There is also an important museum.
Remember that the best way to visit the Cathedral is with this guided tour of the Cathedral of Oviedo
4. Cathedral Square
The Cathedral of Oviedo is not the only great monument that we can visit in this square and it is that there are also other points of interest that you should not miss.
For example, we can find the Palacio de los Valdecárzana Heredia, from the 17th century, which is where the Casino of the famous novel La Regenta was located, and whose protagonist, Ana Ozores, is also represented in this square located on a fountain.
There is also the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, one of the best museums to visit in Oviedo.
5. The Plaza de la Constitución and El Fontán
If we continue walking through its narrow alleys we can also reach the Plaza de la Constitución, where the Oviedo Town Hall and the Church of San Isidoro el Real, an old Jesuit church, are located.
And very close to El Fontán, where a famous market is held on Sundays and where it is very common to take a break with a drink and its corresponding tapa. It is formed by a fortified square, recently rehabilitated and is one of the favorite areas for the people of Oviedo.
The best thing, at this point, is to lose yourself in the streets and squares that make up the Old Town and enjoy the atmosphere, without a doubt, the best thing to do in Oviedo.
6. Campo de San Francisco and Campoamor Theater
We leave the oldest area of Oviedo and walk towards Campo de San Francisco, the main park in Oviedo. Strolling through this park is a true delight and a way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center.
If we leave the park to the north we come to the Campoamor Theatre, a cultural landmark in the city and very famous for its relationship with the delivery of the Princess of Asturias Awards.
In this area there is also the Woody Allen Statue, with which you will not be able to resist taking a picture.
7. The Pre-Romanesque Monuments of Oviedo
Walking we can go to the Foncalada, a unique source of drinking water among the Pre-Romanesque monuments that are preserved. Not far away is the Church of San Julián de Prados.
But the main pre-Romanesque monuments are on the slopes of Mount Naranco. The most important and well-known is Santa María del Naranco, a beautiful church from the year 842 made up of 2 floors with a height of 9 meters in total and whose semicircular arches on the façade are a symbol of Asturias.
Very close to Santa María del Naranco is San Miguel de Lillo, also from the year 842. Both churches are World Heritage Sites.
More days in Oviedo? What to see in Oviedo in 2 days
The best thing is that you do the previous route in 2 days and dedicate the visit to the pre- Romanesque monuments on the second day because you will have to walk a lot and it will take you a long time.
This second day can be completed with a climb to Mount Naranco, where there is a sculpture of the Sacred Heart, from where you can get a fabulous view of the city of Oviedo.
You can find more information about visiting Oviedo on the official tourism page for Oviedo.