Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino del Norte app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appGetting here
The ground behind you: what the walk into Villaviciosa crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Villaviciosa
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peón | 16.1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Villaviciosa to Peón |
| Deva | 22.4 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Villaviciosa to Deva |
| Gijón | 30.6 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Villaviciosa to Gijón |
Villaviciosa has been called 'the fertile place' since the 14th century, and the name is earned. The valley's rich soil supports cattle, dairy, and — most importantly for your evening — apple orchards that produce the sidra for which Asturias is famous.
If you spot a sidrería, stop. Asturian cider is poured in a ritual that looks absurd until you taste the result: the bottle is held high overhead, the glass low at the hip (often behind the back), and a thin stream of cider falls the full distance to aerate before hitting the glass. You drink the small pour — called a culín — immediately. Don't let it sit. The bartender will pour rounds for the whole bar in rapid succession, and the empty dregs get tossed on the floor. Don't be alarmed — that's what the sawdust is for.
The late-Romanesque Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva, near the center, is worth more than a passing glance. The west portal's carved figures are among the best transitional Romanesque-Gothic work in Asturias. The Ayuntamiento and a monument to Carlos I (who landed here in 1517 on his first visit to Spain) round out the historical interest.
All services available. Restaurants and sidrerías on the main streets.
Santumedero de Sietes is celebrated on the 3rd of March. San Juan on the 24th of June, and Santiago on the 25th of July.
Carlos I of Spain (later Emperor Charles V) first set foot on Spanish soil at the nearby port of Tazones in September 1517. He was seventeen, spoke no Spanish, and arrived with a Flemish court that immediately irritated the local nobility. His landing here — instead of at a major port — was an accident of weather, but Villaviciosa has commemorated it ever since.
Pay close attention to the arrows through town. The camino follows a route which takes you past most of the more notable monuments, including the Ayuntamiento building, the monument to Carlos I, and the Iglesia de Santa María de la Oliva. At the church it turns left to follow the AS-255 out of town and to La Ferrería.
3. October 2024 - 6:57
Stayed here and pleasantly surprised! Near restaurants with lovely grilled vegetables and sidre( had it so I’m good) … albergue has coffee/tea all day/ evening, breakfast and coffee at 6:15 for early risers! They do laundry or for rainy days- laundromat right next door!
28. September 2024 - 9:14
We had a Triple for 100 Euros about a block off the Camino.
The room and bathroom were a bit small for the 3 of us, but it was clean, remodeled and comfortable.
There is also a cafe next to the lobby and a very nice Panaderia/Pasteleria shop at the end of the block where we grabbed breakfast.
24. October 2022 - 17:54
In the albergue Congreso I got the bedbugs. I slept there on 29 September 2022. Sorry, but I have to share this problem.
14. September 2022 - 8:20
A lovely restaurant and wonderful staff. Good food & drink.
29. May 2022 - 8:16
Parrilla - Restaurante El Charrán - Villaviciosa has vegetarian food options
9. May 2022 - 20:02
Another fan of Carlos 1. great place
9. May 2022 - 20:02
Another fan of Carlos 1. great place
30. September 2019 - 22:31
I loved my stay at Hotel Carlos I. Great location and they do a special room rate for pilgrims. €25 for a private room with the best shower I've seen on the Camino.
23. June 2019 - 19:08
Beautifully furnished refers to Hotel Carlos I
23. June 2019 - 19:07
Beautifully furnished with comfortable beds and linens, common areas. Good restaurants nearby. On the square, kind and helpful staff. I might move there.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
