Principality of Asturias Hotels Spain

The Principality of Asturias The Principality of Asturias is one of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities within the Kingdom of Spain. It is located on the northern Spanish coast of the Bay of Biscay facing towards the Cantabrian Sea on its northern side. Cantabria shares borders with the Principality of Asturias on the east, and Castilla y Leon on the south, and Galicia on the west. The capital of the region is Oviedo, and other important cities are the seaport and largest city of Gijon, and the industrial town of Aviles.

The border with Leon is marked by the Cantabrian Mountains in the south, and in the east the Picos de Europa National Park has the highest, mainly limestone, mountains (Torrecerredo Peak 2648m ). The spectacular mountains give opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast to enjoy climbing, walking and hiking, skiing and- given the limestone range-caving. The range extends 200km as far as Galicia province in the west and Cantabria in the east.

The Principality of Asturias has a long coastline with most of its beaches sandy and bordered by steep cliffs, many with coves and natural sea caves. Favourite beaches are near Cudillero, and those surrounding the summer resort of Llanes. The climate of northwestern spain is more variable than other areas of the country.

In Asturias summers are generally sunny and warm and quite humid, but winters are cold with snow on the mountains. This gentle damp climate feed the fertile field and chestnut and oak woods, home to the brown bear and capercaillie. There is plenty of historical interest in the area – the notable sanctuary of Covadonga in the Picos de Europa Mountains in the Principality of Asturias is where the Reconquest by the Moors began, and the Asturian ruling dynasty became the kings of Castile.