Hi! Recommendations for a mid-day driving stop between Oviedo and Logrono? We are planning the itinerary for our much-awaited family (2 middle-agers and 3 young adults) trip in June. The Formula 1 fans in our group will visit the Fernando Alonso museum near Oviedo. Then our next stop is in La Rioja near Logrono. We'll make that Oviedo-Logrono drive in one day, and would like to stop somewhere mid-day. It seems there are too many great choices! Santillana Del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, or maybe a smaller village?? Hoping for someplace with reasonable access and parking. Any advice?
Posted by
Paris
6883 posts
Personally, I would choose the inland route: it is a smoother drive and you cannot do justice to the coast in a day anyway. I would stop either in León or in Burgos. Both have amazing cathedrals. León is perhaps better positioned for a mid-day stop.
But if you want the ocean, then maybe aim for Comillas and nearby Santillana del Mar. Santillana is a bit over touristed but cute nonetheless. Another option is Llanes but that's too close to Oviedo I would say.
Santander can be skipped, Bilbao is too large, and the coast in between lacks interesting towns (great ocean views from the A8 though).
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6508 posts
I agree with Balso about taking the inland route. In June the coastal towns will be overrun with tourists, especially Santillana de Mar. You wouldn’t be able to appreciate its quaintness and medieval feel while dodging all the people.
I like León, but it may be too near Oviedo and you may not be ready for a stop yet. My choice would be Burgos. Logroño is an easy drive from it, or wherever it is you’re going near Logroño. When we were in Burgos last year we parked near the free lot, Parking gratuito disuasorio Antigua Estación, at Blvr. Ferroviario, 2. From it the cathedral is about a mile walk.
Posted by
la rioja
531 posts
I would also suggest going through Burgos. The cathedral is worth the stop.
As mentioned, from Burgos to La Rioja is a short drive.
Posted by
Barcelona ☀️ Sweden ❄️
3894 posts
If you go along the much more scenic costal route, the A-8, there a few stops I'd recommend, like Comillas is a nice costal town with interesting 19th art nouveau architecture. Ribadesella is also a charming coastal town with good restaurants. Bilbao could also work to see the Guggenheim and maybe have lunch. I also enjoyed the medieval streets of Santillana del Mar albeit quite touristy.
As a more historically interesting stop you could also consider Covadonga, a place not many foreigners stop at. It's a stunningly situated pilgrimage site known as the "Cradle of Spain", where the Reconquista was started after a fateful battle against the Moors. The holy cave under the waterfall holds the tomb of the 8th century Visigothic King Pelagius, who is the progenitor of both the Spanish and Portuguese Royal families. On site there is an impressive Neo-Romanesque Basilica, a few hiking trails to Alpine lakes, and some restaurants serving traditional local cuisines.