Discover Villaviciosa: Ría, Culture and Holiday Apartment

The Ría de Villaviciosa extends into the centre of Villaviciosa. Since 1995, it has been a partial nature reserve. It is listed in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. In the historic centre of Villaviciosa, there are palaces and houses with coats of arms.

Culture and History

Villaviciosa is home to one of the oldest Holy Week traditions in Asturias. The Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva is a Late Romanesque church built at the end of the 13th century, and it also features Gothic elements. The capitals on the south portal of the Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva depict hunting scenes.

The Casa de los Hevia housed Prince Charles of Ghent from 19 to 23 September 1517, after he had come ashore at the port of Tazones. The permanent exhibition “El Primer Viaje del Rey” displays furniture from living and sleeping quarters, information panels, reproductions of important documents, a reproduction of the famous Toisón de Oro, and a model of the “Engelen”, the ship that transported the monarch from Flanders.

The Sala Museo de la Semana Santa displays almost the complete collection of figures, carrying platforms, lanterns and banners used during Holy Week in Villaviciosa. It also includes an audiovisual presentation on the religious, cultural, artistic and historical significance of this Holy Week. Villaviciosa also has the permanent exhibition “Azabache Jurásico de Villaviciosa”. There is also an Escuela de Azabachería.

Anyone considering a holiday apartment in Villaviciosa can compare the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions based on the respective details. This makes it possible to organise accommodation planning separately from the local attractions, while the Ría, historic buildings, exhibitions, trails and coast highlight different focuses for the trip.

Trails and Coast

The Camino Norte de Santiago passes through Villaviciosa. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Playa de Rodiles in the municipality of Villaviciosa offers surfing opportunities on its famous left-hand wave, which is considered one of the best in Europe.

Along a 7-kilometre section of the Ruta de los Molinos del Río Profundu are the ruins of more than twenty old watermills. The Ruta de Carlos V is just over 11 kilometres long and offers hikers a special experience. The different trail lengths make it easier to compare the two routes objectively. Exhibitions, coastal stretches, natural areas and trails can also be compared according to the type of activity and the time required. The distance information makes clear that, alongside the thematic focuses, the extent of the trails forms a separate basis for comparison. This allows the routes to be considered in the context of the other cultural, scenic and coastal themes without conflating their respective stated characteristics.

Other Places

Other places: Miravalles, San Miguel, Cazanes, Collado, Argüero, Selorio, Puelles, Liñero

To the higher-level travel overview: Villaviciosa.