Asturias: the most authentic premium retreat

It’s no secret that northern Spain is all the rage—though this is nothing new, at least not for the many loyal visitors who have been choosing it as a vacation destination for decades. Nor is it new to The Sibarist, a real estate consulting firm that has been a pioneer in offering a premium portfolio along the northern coast (first in Cantabria, where it has deep roots, but for years now throughout northern Spain).

The north is benefiting from rising summer temperatures and from premium buyers growing weary of the Mediterranean and the more overcrowded Andalusian coasts, but above all, it is gaining market share on its own merits: authenticity, unique natural beauty, privacy, cultural and gastronomic offerings, and the many other pleasures the Principality has to offer.

Buyers from Madrid are key. A report this year by *La Voz de Asturias* (based on property sales records) indicated that just over 12% of home purchases made in Asturias were by residents of Madrid—that is, about one in ten transactions. Foreign buyers are also present, but they are not the same as in other regions of Spain. In the first half of 2025, home purchases by foreigners in Asturias rose by 30.8%, the largest increase among Spain’s autonomous communities, according to notarial data compiled by Idealista.

In addition, CaixaBank Research notes that non-resident foreign buyers are diversifying and that in 2024, American buyers emerged as the leading group in several less traditional regions, including Asturias, followed by Belgian buyers. As we explained in our article on Galicia, American buyers are particularly drawn to northern Spain because of its unspoiled nature and the rich culture and history the region offers, with a special fascination for the Camino de Santiago.

Just as we saw in Cantabria, the Asturian real estate market can be divided into two coastal areas—the eastern and western coasts—which have followed somewhat different real estate trends, as well as two major cities: Oviedo and Gijón, both major centers of attraction. Furthermore, Asturias, with its mountainous and rugged landscape, is home to some of Spain’s most iconic peaks in the Picos de Europa, creating an unparalleled paradise for hikers and mountaineers. Furthermore, at the foot of these majestic mountains lies the historic enclave of Covadonga, with its natural park, its Neo-Romanesque basilica, and the Holy Cave. It is an ideal destination for those seeking history, nature, and culture all in one place.

Eastern Asturias: the most sought-after retreat on the Cantabrian Coast

This stretch of the Principality is undoubtedly one of the most desirable areas for those seeking a second home in northern Spain. Llanes, Ribadesella, Lastres, Colunga, Villaviciosa, and some of the small coastal towns dotted along the eastern coast of Asturias are the focus of much of this renewed interest. These are places that combine the appeal of the coast with proximity to the mountains, the charm of traditional villages, and a way of life that is more serene, more natural, and more connected to the environment.

Ribadesella is much more than just one of the most sought-after towns in Asturias; it is undoubtedly the one that best embodies that unique blend of history, stone, charm, and the sea. Among our extensive listings in this municipality, this spectacular home stands out: spanning nearly 1,000 m² on a prime 2,924 m² lot right on the beachfront of Santa Marina, one of the most elegant promenades in Asturias.

Designed in 1955 by architect Ignacio Álvarez Castelao, one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century Asturian architecture. Its architecture, characterized by complex volumes and deeply integrated into the landscape, opens naturally both toward the sea and toward the southern entrance to the lot, sensitively addressing this dual orientation and making light, views, and the garden an essential part of the living experience. Additionally, the property has the potential to be subdivided to develop two additional homes.

Inside, the interior—built with fine materials—features wood and stone, as well as other artistic and decorative elements integrated into the architecture itself, including mosaics, murals, and wrought-iron and woodwork designed specifically for the house, the result above all of the collaboration between the architect Castelao and the Asturian painter Antonio Suárez.

In this eastern half, a little further inland, in the town of Piloña, we find one of the most characteristic and sought-after examples of single-family housing—one of the so-called “Indianos’ houses.” These are the homes that emigrants—mainly from Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria (though some can also be found in the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, and Catalonia)—built in the last decades of the 19th century and the early 20th century when they returned to their homelands “after making their fortune in the Americas.”

During those years, approximately 60 million Europeans traveled to South America in search of fortune. Most returned with little change in their financial situation; many others stayed to live in those lands; and a fortunate minority returned to their hometowns in Spain after having improved their circumstances and needed to show it off: building an imposing house in their hometown was the best way to do so. We feature several such properties in our catalog, as they represent a style of architecture that embodies grandeur and history—a combination highly valued by our buyers.

One of the hallmarks of these Indian buildings was the use of fine materials, a feature that has been carefully preserved and restored in this 800 m² property. Furthermore, the main facades are the focal point of the design, showcasing the building’s grandeur through the use of glass-enclosed galleries and various decorative elements.

These buyers also wanted to demonstrate their power in their gardens, and so—taking advantage of the fact that they often purchased large estates—they planted lush vegetation there, frequently including species brought from the Americas, which, incidentally, managed to acclimate to the Cantabrian climate and have since become part of this coastline’s heritage. Examples include the magnolia, the American cypress, the hydrangea, and palm trees.

Gijón and Oviedo: two very different urban strongholds

The supposed rivalry between the two cities does not extend to the real estate market, where both have seen a 30% increase in non-local homebuyers. They are two cities offering different responses to the same desire: to own a home in Asturias without sacrificing the comforts of city life. Although in the collective imagination, Gijón is for those who want the sea and a lively lifestyle; Oviedo is for those who want tranquility, culture, and the feel of a capital city.

That calm elegance is embodied by this 260 m² apartment on a central street in Oviedo. Located on the fifth floor on the exterior side of the building, it is bathed in constant, soft light that caresses the original moldings and rests upon fine woods, natural fabrics, and pieces steeped in history.

If there’s one thing Gijón is proud of, it’s its wonderful combination of a vibrant city and the sea. San Lorenzo Beach is a balcony overlooking the sea, but also the promenade, the terraces, and the cultural scene. Just a few meters away, and only a 5-minute walk from the Jardines del Náutico, we’re offering this wonderful 235-square-meter apartment with bright rooms that combine character and functionality. Its large windows not only create a sense of visual spaciousness but also flood the home with stunning natural light throughout the day, transforming every space into a warm and welcoming place.

For buyers looking for the vibrancy of Gijón, but also the tranquility of a single-family home, Somió is undoubtedly the place to be. This neighborhood is not only Gijón’s most exclusive residential area, but also its most private and intimate. A prime example is this stunning 690 m² home, which combines privacy, a garden, charming architecture, and a prime location on a 3,300 m² lot.

The interior is divided into three floors and features a classic, elegant design with extensive use of wood. A highlight of the main floor is a large covered terrace that runs along a significant portion of the facade and serves as a natural extension of the home’s main living areas, reinforcing the connection to the garden.

The most hidden side of Asturias

The westernmost part of Asturias is by no means less interesting; rather, it offers a different kind of authenticity. Buyers looking toward Cudillero, Luarca, Puerto de Vega, Tapia de Casariego, Castropol, or the Eo estuary may be seeking less tourist traffic, more of the essence of a fishing village, and more scenic beauty. Prices, it’s true, are somewhat more moderate than in the neighboring towns of Ribadesella or Llanes, but at the same time, there’s a more varied selection of properties. From Tapia de Casariego—more Atlantic-facing, more closely linked to surfing and a sporty lifestyle—to the more stately atmosphere of Luarca, or the charm and colors of Cudillero, among others.

This area is by no means lacking in grand historic buildings, and one example is the Palacio de Doriga, of medieval origin, featuring a square tower built in the late 14th century and a 16th-century palace structured around a courtyard with large Tuscan columns.

It is spread over five floors, with a total floor area of 1,892 square meters, which exceeds 3,100 m² when the inner courtyard is included. Surrounded by a park enclosed by a crenellated wall and featuring a stately 16th-century entrance gate, the property also includes an annex building with a floor area of 266 m² spread over two floors.

It is located amid the forests of Somiedo and Muniellos, at the western gateway to Asturias and the Way of St. James.

Right on the border with Galicia lies the Eo estuary, perhaps the most sophisticated and least obvious spot in the west. Here, it’s not just the open Cantabrian Sea, but an estuary, oysters, water sports, a border landscape, and a very special sense of refuge.

All this natural wealth appeals not only to domestic buyers—with Madrid as the main source—but increasingly to foreign buyers, whose numbers grew by 30% in 2025. Asturias’s value also lies in its scarcity: prime locations are few and far between, and homes with views, land, or traditional charm are limited. Buyers who make it this far usually do so with a clear idea in mind: they want something special. Not just any home, but a property capable of expressing a way of life. Unostentatious luxury—a home that speaks of the landscape, of roots, of tranquility, and of belonging—a village with a life of its own, a nearby beach, mountains in the background, and an authenticity that the premium buyer values more and more.