Aviles City Guide

Food is rooted in Asturian tradition with dishes like fabada asturiana and cachopo. Fresh seafood is common. There are some international and growing vegetarian/vegan options. Late-night tapas bars stay open especially on weekends.

Nightlife centers on the old town and Sabugo district with cider houses, pubs, and cocktail bars.

Strong traditional coffee culture with growing specialty cafes.

Tipping is optional and small. 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated but not required. Rounding up taxi fares is common.

SIM cards are sold at Vodafone, Orange, Movistar, and Yoigo shops in the city center. ID is required for purchase. Good coverage from Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange.

Streets are generally clean with good waste management.

Limited late-night options. Some rotating 24-hour pharmacies and minimarts, but true 24/7 stores are rare.

Supermarkets like Mercadona, Carrefour, Alimerka, and Lidl offer a good selection including some international products. Local markets provide fresh produce, meat, and fish.

Card payments are widely accepted but carrying cash is useful for small shops and markets.

ATMs are common near banks and commercial areas. Use major Spanish banks like CaixaBank, Santander, or BBVA to reduce fees.

Local public and private schools teach mainly in Spanish. International schools are not in Avilés but can be found in nearby cities like Gijón and Oviedo.

Small but growing nomad presence. Some coworking and meetups exist, but community is limited.

Good access to parks such as Parque de Ferrera and riverside paths.

Running routes along the estuary and in Parque de Ferrera are popular and safe.

Multiple gyms with varied facilities are available across the city.

Municipal and private courts exist for tennis and padel with equipment rental and coaching options.

Padel courts are available at sports centers and clubs in Avilés.

Several yoga studios and wellness centers offer a range of classes, mostly in Spanish.

Facilities offering Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, BJJ, and Boxing are available but mostly in Spanish.

Ski resorts Valgrande-Pajares and Fuentes de Invierno are about 1.5-2 hours away, open December to April.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are available near the coast, especially in summer.

Playa de Salinas is a popular surf spot nearby. Wetsuits are needed year-round. Surf schools and rentals available mainly in Salinas.

Coastal diving with rocky reefs and wrecks is possible but conditions vary. Best season is summer to early autumn.

Public hospitals like Hospital Universitario San Agustín provide good care. Some private clinics offer English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are easy to find and provide over-the-counter meds and advice.

Tap water is safe and meets high-quality standards.

Playgrounds and kid-friendly cafes are common. Parks like Parque de Ferrera offer space to play. Family events happen occasionally, mainly at the Niemeyer Centre.

LGBTQ+ friendly with local community groups and low discrimination risk.

Pet-friendly with many dog-friendly parks and services, though off-leash areas are limited.