London Stansted to Asturias Airport
The Asturias province in northern Spain is sandwiched between the Picos de Europa mountain range which rises to over 2,500 metres above sea level, and the Costa Verde with its picturesque coves and small fishing villages.
Flights between London Stansted and Asturias Airport are operated Ryanair. The airport is around 14km (8 miles) from Aviles, 38 km (24 miles) from Gijon and 42 km (27 miles) from Oviedo, the capital of the principality and province of Asturias. Alsa run a bus service from the airport to all of these towns. Schedules run according to flight arrivals and departures - for more information visit www.alsa.es. A single ticket to both Oviedo and Gijon costs 5.60 euros (£1 is approximately equal to 1.45 euros) and 2.70 euros to Aviles. Taxis are available from in front of the passenger terminal and cost around 20 euros to Aviles, 40 euros to Gijon and 45 euros to Oviedo.
Places to visit in the Asturias region include:
- Oviedo. The university city of Oviedo boasts a well preserved old quarter which has a number of large mansion houses surrounding the Gothic cathedral. Begun in the 14th century and completed a couple of centuries later, the cathedral has an 80-metre tall south tower and contains the tombs of former Asturian kings. The treasury houses many of the cathedral’s biggest attractions including the 9th century Cross of Angels, a gift from Alfonso II, and the 10th century Cross of Victoria made from gold and precious stones. Close to the cathedral housed in the former convent of San Vicente is the Archaeological Museum. Exhibits include local prehistoric, Roman and pre-Romanesque artefacts. The Fine Arts Museum of Asturias is housed within the 18th century Velarde Palace and contains works by local artists. Beyond the Old Quarter of Oviedo are a number of fine examples of typical Asturian architecture such as Mount Naranco Church. Originally built as a palace for Ramiro I in the 9th century, the church is notable for its elegant and graceful proportions. From the church there are great views over Gijon and the Picos de Europa mountain range in the distance.
- Gijon. Situated on the beautiful Costa Verde is the lively city of Gijon, the in the province of Asturias. Close to Gijon’s port is the Plaza del Marques boasting the 18th century Palacio de Revillagigiedo with its elegant facade. The city has a reminder of its Roman past in the Termas Romanas del Campo Valdes, well preserved Roman baths situated in the old quarter that are open to the public. There are some excellent views over the city from the Torre del Reloj which also has some displays tracing Gijon’s history.
- Aviles. Despite being largely thought of as an industrial city, Aviles maintains its medieval heart centred on the Plaza de España. The city also has a couple of noteworthy churches; the 14th century Church of St Nicholas which contains the tomb of Florida’s first ever Governor, and the Church of St Francis decorated with ancient frescoes.
|