Rural Spain Properties

AREA GUIDES >> RURAL PROPERTIES IN ASTURIAS

At a glance
photoAsturias, a one-province region, also boasts principality status. The Spanish heir to the throne is the Principe de Asturias, his varied kingdom fit for a king, from its rugged mountains and dramatic cliffs to its sandy coves, lush meadows and pine and eucalyptus forests.

There are quiet corners to go for long walks as well as thriving cultural centres like Oviedo (the provincial capital), Avilés and Gijón in the north.

Properties
Mountains, lakes and the coast are the fantastic views on offer in Asturias. The most sought after properties are casonas - the beautiful old stone buildings with plenty of character. Casonas make ideal homes and are ideal for converting into boutique hotels.

Airports
Asturias has an international airport at Oviedo and is also well served by the airports in Santiago de Compostella, A Coruña and Santander.

Climate
Many Spaniards seek out Asturias in the summer months because it is pleasantly, but not oppressively, warm, and the sea is warm enough to swim in. The region also gets snow in the mountains, making it a popular winter sports destination. A fair share of rain gives the region its lush vegetation.

Historic value
photoAsturias lays claim to one of the most important Celtic settlements in Spain, Castro de Coaña, established in the Iron Age and later occupied by the Romans. Its fortifications and the stone foundations of some of the ancient homes have been preserved.

Other interesting buildings such as old inns are scattered along the Asturias route to Santiago de Compostela, stop-off points for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

Culture
Asturians find plenty of excuses to bring out the cider and the bagpipes for local festivals. July sees the Shepherds’ Festival near Cangas de Onís, with traditional songs and dance performed alongside Lake Enol in the Picos de Europa National Park.

Food and drink
The Asturians are renowned for their cider – one a sparkling one and a second, which is poured ceremoniously into glasses from a great height to add some fizz. The locals drink it in generous quantities and also mix it into their creamy blue Cabrales cheese.

Excellent seafood can be found at restaurants along the pretty Costa Verde (the Green Coast).

Asturians also believe they produce the best butter beans in the world – la Granja beans which are used in one of the region’s best dishes, Fabada, a flavoursome stew of pork, black pudding, salt pork, chorizo and ham.

Natural beauty
photoAsturias is one of three regions straddled by the stunningNational Park Picos de Europa, named after thePeaksof Europe, ajagged mountain range which offers excellent hiking and climbing opportunities.The 64,660-hectare park combines deep winding gorges cut through the rocks with green valleys of orchards and grazing dairy herds.

Asturias also has five nature reserves, the most famous being the Somiedo Natural Park, home to many varieties of wild flowers, 18 glacial lakes, packs of wolves and Spain’s protected brown bear.