Avilés is one of Asturias’ most underrated gems, and the best part is that you don’t need to spend much to enjoy it. This charming city is full of free things that make exploring effortless and budget‑friendly. Here are our free picks.
Wander the Old Town
The narrow streets are filled with colourful buildings and centuries-old stonework. The first thing we noticed is the arcades — some are narrow and dimly lit, others wide and bright. Some have smooth stone floors, others are charmingly uneven. It’s like a little architectural treasure hunt! Be sure to stroll through Calle Galiana, the famous street known for it’s 17th century arcades and traditional wooden balconies. The street it actually in two sections, one is covered and the other is open air. On one side we found historic buildings and cafes and on the other gardens with palm trees and impressive villas.
Plaza de Espana
Eventually, all roads seem to lead to the very impressive Plaza de España, the main square. The plaza is framed by elegant historic buildings including the Town Hall and surrounded by many cafes and restaurants. We grabbed a cheap but delicious lunch of fresh baquettes and cured meats from the local supermarket (also known as supermercado) and enjoyed relaxing in the square, soaking up the people watching.
Visit the Niemeyer Center
The Centro Niemeyer is impossible to miss, sitting right along the Aviles estuary, only a 5min walk from the historic town centre. Designed by the legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, it looks like someone dropped a piece of modern art right in the middle of a medieval town. There is a cost to enter but free to admire from the outside and makes for an impressive photo.
Get Lost in the Sabugo Neighborhood
Sabugo is the old fishermen’s district, and it still has that salty, lived-in charm. Think narrow lanes, colorful facades, and laundry hanging from balconies. We found it one of the most atmospheric parts of Avilés, and wandering here costs nothing but gives you a real sense of the town’s soul plus, it’s located only a 5min walk from the Town Hall.
Explore Parque de Ferrera
This is Avilés’ green heart. Ferrera Park is the kind of place where you can lose an hour without even trying, in fact, we spent an enjoyable two hours enjoying the ponds and manicured gardens and there are plenty of shaded paths and benches for people-watching.
Fun fact: the park used to be part of a private palace estate but now is open to the public to enjoy!
St Thomas Church
This Asturian church is located in Plaza de La Merced, within the historic city centre. From the outside, it has that classic Asturian charm — simple, solid, and quietly beautiful — the kind of place you might walk past without realizing how much history is tucked inside however once you enter be ready to have your breath taken away admiring the detailed ornate altar and ceiling. Plus, its free entry.
Calle Rivero
Calle Rivero is one of the oldest and most traditional in the city with at least five centuries of history. A lovely local told us it was originally a suburb outside the walls of Avilés and was once the Royal Path to Ociedo – the capital of Asturias which lies about 30km south.
We enjoyed walking under the traditional covered walkways admiring the historical architecture and stopped for a few photos at the 17th century Church of San Nicolas de Bari.
Another historical landmark worth visiting is the Fuente de los Caños de Rivero It features a series of spouts, or ‘caños’, which were traditionally used by locals for collecting water.
And that’s Avilés — a small town that proves you don’t need to spend a cent to have a memorable day. If you ever find yourself in Asturias, give Avilés a little space on your itinerary. It’s the kind of town that quietly wins you over, one charming corner at a time. If your travelling through Spain, check out our posts on Barcelona, Laredo, Monforte de Lemos, Combarro, and Madrid.
