Narcea
Narcea is one of the 8 comarcas or administrative regions of Asturias. It is divided into 5 municipalities. From north to south: Tineo, Allande, Cangas del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias. The Camino Primitivo, one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela, leads through the northern part of Narcea. Pilgrims can rest and recharge in the towns of Tineo and Pola de Allande, both start- and endpoints on the road to Santiago. In the south you find Natural Park Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias. One of the less well-known natural areas of Asturias, but worth a visit. Especially since you can meet one of Asturias’ most famous inhabitants, the brown bear, here. Muniellos Biosphere Reserve is part of the natural park. Only 20 visitors a day can enter this pristine forest, making it a unique experience.
We organize the following activities in the Oriente:
History and Heritage
Our history and heritage tours take you back in time to Asturias’ unique past.
Asturias’ history started millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed its coast. In the Paleolithic, our ancestors left incredible cave art, such as in World Heritage Site Tito Bustillo.
The Romans built bridges, aqueducts and public baths. The Reconquista started in Asturias with the famous Battle of Covadonga in 722. Here, Asturias’ first King Pelayo defeated the Arabs. During the subsequent reign of the Asturian dynasty (722-910), the pre-Romanesque style was born. You can still visit some pre-Romanesque buildings, for example San Julián de los Prados and Santa María del Naranco in Oviedo.
In the 19th and 20th century, thousands of Asturians emigrated to ‘Las Americas’. The people who returned (Indianos) built large mansions inspired by Latin- American architecture. You can still visit many of them today.
The Industrial Revolution, especially the development of coal and iron mines, and the resultant iron and steel industry still shapes the current Asturian identity and culture.
Our history and heritage tours let you discover all these aspects of Asturias’ past. Select one of the tours listed below, or let us design a customized tour for you to dive intoAsturias‘ unique history!
Ancestry Tour
Were your (great)grandparents from Asturias and migrated to ‘the Americas’? And are you curious to learn more about their homeland?...
Wildlife
Join our guided wildlife tours and observe the unique wildlife of Asturias!
‘Unique species, unbeatable scenery and unforgettable experiences’. That’s how Asturias is promoted as ecotourism destination. And no wonder. Although this ‘Natural Paradise’ only represents 2% of Spain’s surface, it is home to 75% of mammals and birds species to be found in Spain. The most iconic are Cantabrian brown bears (Ursus arctos arctos), Iberian wolves (Canis lupus), Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus), Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and Wallcreepers (Tichodroma muraria,).
Protected areas in Asturias
Over a third of Asturias’ surface is protected. Asturias has 1 National Park (Picos de Europa), 7 Biosphere Reserves (Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, Muniellos, Picos de Europa, Redes, Ponga, Somiedo and Oscos-Eo), 5 natural parks (Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias, Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, Ponga, Redes and Somiedo), 1 full nature reserve (Muniellos), 6 partial nature reserves, 2 protected landscapes and 39 natural monuments. Furthermore, Asturias also houses the first declared marine reserve in Spain (El Cachucho).
Wildlife of Asturias
Resultantly, Asturias is one of the best places to observe Iberian wildlife. The brown bear is undoubtedly the emblematic animal of Asturias. You can also see wolves, hoofed animal (deer, roe deer, fallow deer, and ibex) and other mammals such as wild cats, genets and otters. Furthermore, you can find over 400 bird species in Asturias. Bearded Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle and Wall Creeper are only some examples. Also, over 140 butterfly species live in Asturias. Finally, you can spot up to 25 species of cetaceans, both resident and migratory, in the Cantabrian Sea bordering Asturias.
Our guided wildlife tours
We offer various Wildlife Tours to encounter the rich wildlife of Asturias. Certified and experienced guides that respect the local environment lead all our tours.
Even though Asturias has abundant wildlife, there is no guarantee that you see all the animals you want during your stay. However, taking part in our guided wildlife tours highly increases your chances to encounter them. We also design customized tours for a unique and personalized wildlife experience.
Come visit and dive into Asturias’ wildlife with us!
Other Trips
These are other trips.
Our customized guided tours let you discover Asturias together with our specialized guides. They can tell you everything about the...
Are you planning on visiting Asturias for a day, multiple days or a few weeks? And do you want to...
Do you want to visit Asturias but not sure how to get here? Don’t you have time to research and...