Highlights of Avilés

This guided walking tour shows you the highlights of Avilés, a commercial city of medieval origin and great seafaring tradition. Together with a private, local, and English-speaking guide, explore the city’s history, from Romanesque churches and Gothic palaces to vibrant squares, arcaded streets, and the striking Centro Niemeyer on the estuary.

From the Middle Ages to Modern Times

Avilés has been an important port since at least the 12th century. The town grew thanks to maritime trade between Castile and northern Europe.

Your guide takes you through the historic center, where medieval street layouts still shape the city today. Walk under centuries-old arcades and into squares that once formed the economic heart of the town.

Along the way, discover how Avilés evolved from a medieval trading hub into an industrial powerhouse in the 19th and 20th centuries, and finally into a modern cultural destination.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés — Navigator of the Atlantic

Avilés is the birthplace of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (1519), one of Spain’s most important 16th-century naval commanders. Discover how his life connects Avilés to major historical events across Europe and the Americas, from naval warfare to imperial expansion under Philip II, while visiting both his monument in Parque de Ferrera and his burial place in the Church of San Antonio de Padua.

Centro Niemeyer: Cultural Highlights in Avilés

The Niemeyer Center showcases expositions of art, music, film, theater, and dance, providing an important space for artistic expression and serving as a symbol of the transformation of Avilés. Your guide explains the story of its creation and design by its namesake, Oscar Niemeyer, and its commitment to cultural programming in northern Spain.

A Storied Past, A Vibrant Present

By the end of the tour, you will see Avilés not only as a small industrial town, but also as a layered and globally connected city with a surprisingly rich history. Discover the highlights of Avilés at these cultural sites:

• Statue Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
• Church of San Antonio de Padua
• Calle Ferrería
• Centro Niemeyer
• Plaza España
• Church of San Nicolás de Bari
• Calle Galiana
• Ferrera Park
• Plaza del Carbayedo

Interested in exploring the Highlights of Avilés with us?

Send us a message via the form below or contact us via info@intoasturias.com, indicating the preferred tour date(s), the group size, and any other details that we should know.

Learn more about Asturian culture with our History and Heritage Tours! Discover picturesque fisherman’s villages on the coast, the fascinating history of mining communities, and the highlights of Oviedo with us!