Explore Asturias
Green valleys, mountain views and seaside towns bring coast and countryside close together.
About Asturias
Asturias is one of Spain's greenest regions, with steep mountains, a rugged and largely unspoilt coastline, and a strong tradition of cider and hearty food. Its two main cities lie only half an hour apart. Oviedo, the capital, is an elegant historic city with a compact old centre. Gijón, the largest city, sits on the sea and has a long city beach at San Lorenzo.
Since 2023, a new high-speed line through the mountains has brought Oviedo within about three hours of Madrid by train. Asturias airport links the region with other Spanish cities and a number of European destinations.
Prices are among the lowest in northern Spain: Gijón asks €2,687/m² and Oviedo €2,372/m². The transfer tax is 8%, with a higher rate on more expensive homes.
What to know first
- Green mountains and a rugged, largely unspoilt coast
- Oviedo and Gijón, two cities only half an hour apart
- Lower prices than the Basque Country and Cantabria
- High-speed trains to Madrid since 2023
- A 8% transfer tax, higher on more expensive homes
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| Gijón | €2,687/m² | 271,259 | Mid |
| Oviedo | €2,372/m² | 223,576 | Mid |
How the prices spread
Gijón, on the sea, asks a little more than Oviedo, the inland capital. Both are clearly cheaper than Santander and far below San Sebastián and Bilbao.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Cities in Asturias
Browse properties by city
Oviedo
Asturias
€2,372/m² · Population 223.576
Gijón
Asturias
€2,687/m² · Population 271.259
The case for
- Low prices for the north
Clearly cheaper than the Basque Country and Cantabria.
- Nature on your doorstep
The Picos de Europa, wild beaches and green valleys are all close by.
- Good food and cider
A strong food culture at prices well below the big cities.
- High-speed trains
Since 2023, Oviedo is about three hours from Madrid by train.
- A calm, safe way of life
Two pleasant cities with a high quality of life.
The case against
- Rain throughout the year
The green landscape comes with frequent grey and rainy days.
- Few international flights
Asturias airport has fewer routes than the big airports in the south.
- Few international buyers
Fewer services in other languages than on the Mediterranean coasts.
- Quiet villages
Many rural villages have an ageing population and few services.
- Cool sea water
The Atlantic stays cool, even in August.
Questions buyers ask
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, 8% transfer tax, and a higher rate on more expensive homes. Buyers up to 35 and large families pay a reduced rate on a main home, subject to conditions. New-build homes pay VAT instead of transfer tax. Ask a tax adviser about your situation.
- Oviedo or Gijón?
- Gijón for life by the sea, with a city beach and a marina. Oviedo for a smaller, elegant historic city that is slightly cheaper. They are only half an hour apart.
- How do I get there?
- Asturias airport has flights to Spanish and some European cities. High-speed trains run from Oviedo and Gijón to Madrid in about three hours.
- What is the climate like?
- Mild and green. Summers are pleasant rather than hot, winters are cool, and rain falls throughout the year.
- Is it cheaper than Cantabria?
- Yes. Oviedo and Gijón ask clearly less per square metre than Santander.
- How far are the mountains?
- The Picos de Europa are about an hour from Oviedo and Gijón by car.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want an even lower price for a home on the Atlantic, Galicia, to the west, is worth comparing. If you prefer a more international city with more services in other languages, look at the Basque Country, at higher prices. And if sun matters more than greenery, the Mediterranean coasts are the alternative.