Asturias is all about the green of its landscapes, the blue of the Cantabrian Sea washing over its coves, and the white sands of many of its beaches. We should also mention the earthy tones of its stone houses and the hundreds of colours of the flowers decorating their balconies. Asturias is a place that stays with you, especially in summer. To help you experience it for yourself, we have selected five of its towns and cities:

The capital of the Principality is stately and elegant, warm and welcoming. You can feel it in the life of its squares, in the chigres tucked beneath their arcades and along the streets of an old town that offers a surprise around every corner. Here you will come across its cathedral, with its majestic Gothic tower; and there, the University, with its beautiful Plateresque façade. In between, palaces, historic buildings and markets. The city is also home to several Asturian Pre-Romanesque monuments declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the most impressive are Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, which you will find on Monte Naranco, where you can admire Oviedo stretching out below.

If you would like to use the city as your base for exploring Asturias, you can stay at Sercotel Ciudad de Oviedo, just a few steps from the old town and right on Calle Gascona.

What makes this Asturian fishing village so special is the unusual way its houses cling to the hillside, the feeling that they are almost suspended above the water and the amphitheatre-like shape they create, made even more picturesque by their colourful façades. Make some room on your smartphone, because chances are you will not be able to stop taking photos. The coast around Cudillero is also dotted with charming little coves that are perfect for a refreshing swim.

The name of this Asturian town may sound familiar because it marks the finish line of the famous Sella River Descent. But Ribadesella has much more to offer. To begin with, there is its medieval old town, filled with beautiful houses featuring balconies and glass-fronted galleries that make it easy to imagine living here. Then there are the grand Indiano mansions lining the seafront, letting you know exactly where the sea begins. And what a sea it is, looking especially inviting in places such as Atalaya Beach: perfect for a sheltered swim. And make sure you visit the Ermita de la Guía, on Monte Corberu: you will quickly realise that Mother Nature was feeling particularly inspired when she created this part of Asturias.

Gijón is a place to let time drift by on San Lorenzo Beach, watching the tide come in and out. It is also a place to climb Santa Catalina Hill until you reach the Elogio del Horizonte, the sculpture Chillida created for posterity. The sea views from here are something else. You may find it hard to tear your eyes away, but do, because there is still Cimavilla to explore, wandering past fishermen’s houses and looking for a free table in one of its lively squares. Yes, order a cider. And before you leave, stop by Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura and enjoy its cultural programme.

Known as the gateway to the Picos de Europa, this Asturian town certainly knows how to win over its visitors. There is the Sella River, with its cool, crystal-clear waters crossed by one of Asturias’ most photographed landmarks, the Roman Bridge with its hanging Victory Cross; an old town that is perfect for a leisurely stroll and, if you are a fan of markets, well worth visiting on a Sunday, when the town’s traditional market takes place; and plenty of cheese shops and stores selling local delicacies where you may know what time you go in, but not when you will finally manage to leave. What more could you ask for?