Many U.S. citizens have their first encounter with Spain in major cities, such as Madrid or Barcelona. There are also those who visit Andalusia or the Mediterranean coast. Walking the Camino de Santiago opens the door to discovering a different side of Spain.
The Camino de Santiago offers a glimpse into another side of northern Spain
Exploring northern Spain on foot also changes the way you experience each place. You can take your time appreciating the small towns, the rural areas you come across, the traditional architecture, the green countryside, the Cantabrian coast, and the region’s cultural heritage.
Walking the Camino de Santiago allows you to observe something that isn’t immediately apparent during a vacation: what life is like in those places. Where services are concentrated, how far it is from one area to another, how homes relate to the landscape, and what role small towns and villages play in everyday life.
That is why, for some people, that experience ends up sparking an interest that goes beyond the Camino itself: northern Spain goes from being a place they pass through to becoming a destination to which they return to spend extended periods of time or to have a second home.
The Camino de Santiago in Asturias: Two Routes to Explore the Coast and the Inland
Two of the major pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela pass through the region and offer quite different experiences: the Northern Way, also known as the Coastal Way, and the Primitive Way.
One covers much of the coastal strip along the Cantabrian Sea. The other starts in Oviedo and winds through the western inland region of Asturias.
For those walking the Camino de Santiago in Asturias, both routes demonstrate that even within the same region, distances, landscapes, and the way people interact with their surroundings can vary considerably.
The Northern Way through Asturias: Towns, Cities, and the Cantabrian Landscape
The Northern Way enters Asturias from the east and continues toward Galicia, passing through towns such as Llanes, Ribadesella, Gijón, and Avilés, as well as numerous municipalities and small villages near the coast.
This tour allows you to experience one of Asturias’ most iconic sights: the interplay between the Cantabrian Sea, the mountains, and a rural landscape that can be seen even a short distance from some of its major urban centers.
This itinerary helps you understand that living near the Cantabrian Sea can mean very different things depending on where you choose to live.
The Primitive Way from Oviedo and inland Asturias
The Primitive Way of St. James offers a different perspective. It begins in Oviedo and continues westward through towns such as Grado, Salas, Tineo, Pola de Allande, and Grandas de Salime, before entering Galicia.
Here, the sea is no longer the main point of reference. The route takes you deep into an Asturias of valleys, mountains, small villages, and rural settings where distance and mobility take on greater importance.
Walking the Camino de Santiago from Oviedo reveals a side of the region that is very different from the eastern coast. It also helps you understand why, when considering moving to Asturias, it’s not enough to simply choose a province: you need to think about what kind of environment best suits the lifestyle you’re looking for.
Search for a property for sale near the Camino de Santiago
The Camino may reveal places you’d like to return to, but considering a second home forces you to view them from a different perspective. What’s appealing for a few days should also work for weeks or months.
This is where issues begin to take on importance that may take a back seat as the journey progresses.
- Do you prefer to be near the coast, or do you value a landlocked setting more?
- Do you need a city nearby?
- How far are you willing to travel to an airport?
- Are you looking for a villa with amenities or a more secluded property?
- Are you looking for land?
- What kind of property are you looking for? A historic home, a country house, or a traditional Asturian mansion?
You may find it helpful to consult our guide on how to buy a unique property in Asturias to learn more about the factors you should consider before starting your search.
Selection of properties for sale in Asturias and the surrounding area
Our portfolio of homes for sale in Asturias changes as new properties are added and others are sold. If you don’t currently find what you’re looking for, let us know your priorities. We can take them into account to help identify new opportunities that match them.
On the Path to a Possible Life in Asturias
If the Camino has led you to consider buying a home in Asturias, we can help you. At Hispálica Propiedades , we work with a selection of unique properties in different areas of Spain and are expanding our network as we add new properties and partners.
We specialize in assisting international buyers from the United States and other countries in evaluating each property with the necessary information and organizing the next steps in the process.
Tell us what kind of property you’re looking for in northern Spain.
