Nava: The Cosy Cider Capital of Asturias
Nava sits in the green hills of Asturias, in northern Spain. It’s a small town with a big personality. Cider runs through everything here, from summer festivals to a quiet Tuesday lunch. Locals pour it with flair, drink it with pride, and happily share it with visitors. Beyond the glasses, though, Nava offers medieval palaces, gentle hiking trails, and a proper Asturian welcome.
It’s easy to reach, easy to love, and perfect for a slower kind of trip. Plus, it makes a brilliant base for exploring the wider Cider Region. Ready to explore? Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What to see and do
Start with the town’s star attraction, the Cider Museum. Opened in 1996 in the Plaza del PrÃncipe de Asturias, it walks you through the entire cider-making process. You’ll learn how apples become the region’s favourite drink, from orchard to glass to pouring ritual. The museum splits into four themed areas, and one is dedicated entirely to sparkling cider. Because it’s genuinely interactive, children enjoy it just as much as adults do. Opening hours shift between summer and winter, so check before you visit.
Next, take a slow stroll through Nava’s old streets. You’ll spot cider taverns, known locally as chigres, tucked into corners everywhere. Look out for the Church of San Bartolomé, standing proudly in the main square. Right nearby sits the town hall, another handsome slice of local history worth a photo.
History lovers should also seek out La Cogolla Palace, a medieval building linked to Doña Jimena, wife of the legendary El Cid. A short trip from the centre brings you to La FerrerÃa, a 14th-century fortified house declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. Both sites hint at just how deep Nava’s roots really run.
For fresh air, head straight to the Sierra de Peñamayor. This mountain range backs the town with genuinely dramatic views. Hikers particularly love the Foces del Pendón trail, a scenic gorge route that starts near Fuensanta. It runs for around 10 kilometres and takes roughly three and a half hours to complete. Autumn visitors might even catch the deer rutting season here, when stags bellow across the valley at dawn.
Fancy a day trip while you’re in the area? Oviedo, the regional capital, sits just 30 kilometres away. It’s packed with pre-Romanesque churches, cosy squares, and lively tapas bars. Meanwhile, Villaviciosa, another key town in the Cider Region, is also within easy reach. It’s well worth a visit for its own cider houses and coastal charm.
Local festivals and traditions
Nava’s biggest event is the Fiesta de la Sidra Natural, or Natural Cider Festival, held every July. This celebration carries National Tourist Interest status, and honestly, it shows. Expect concerts, theatre performances, tastings, and a genuinely fun international pouring competition. Contestants pour cider from a height, aerating it before it hits the glass below. It takes real skill, so watching the pros is half the fun.
Because cider matters so deeply here, UNESCO added Asturian cider culture to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024. That’s a huge deal for such a small town. Locals treat cider pouring as a proper ritual, complete with its own stance, posture, and technique. If you try it yourself, expect a splash or two on your shoes.
Saturdays bring a lively weekly market to Nava’s streets. Stalls sell local cheese, including the tangy OvÃn variety, alongside handicrafts and seasonal produce. Music matters too, and traditional tonada singing and bagpipe tunes often feature at local gatherings. Together, they add an authentic Asturian soundtrack to daily life here.
Throughout the year, keep an eye out for espichas, which are informal cider-and-tapas gatherings. If a local invites you to one, say yes immediately. They’re a brilliant way to meet people and taste proper home-cooked Asturian food.
Where to stay
For easy access to the museum, shops, and cider taverns, base yourself in Nava’s compact town centre. It’s small and walkable, so you won’t need a car for daily errands. This works especially well if you’re visiting during the July festival, when the main square buzzes late into the night.
Prefer peace, stars, and proper countryside views instead? Choose a rural guesthouse in the surrounding villages. Areas like Fuensanta, Ceceda, and Piloñeta sit close to the Sierra de Peñamayor, offering direct access to hiking trails and total quiet after dark. Many casas rurales here come with gardens, wood fires, and sweeping mountain panoramas.
Travellers who fancy combining hills and coast might base themselves closer to Villaviciosa instead. It’s a short drive from Nava, and it opens up Asturias’ beaches alongside the town’s rural charm. Whichever option suits you, try to book early during festival season, since rooms fill up fast once cider season begins. Book your accommodation.
How to get to Nava
By air, the nearest airport is Asturias Airport, roughly 50 kilometres from Nava. Regular flights connect it to Madrid, Barcelona, and several European cities. From the airport, buses run straight to Oviedo, where you can continue your journey onward. Book flights.
By train, Nava has its own station right on the Oviedo–Santander line. It sits close to the town centre, so arriving without a car is genuinely simple. Regular services connect Nava with Oviedo in around thirty minutes each way. Check trains and book.
By car, Nava is an easy 30-kilometre drive from Oviedo along local roads. Having your own wheels also makes exploring the surrounding villages and hiking trails far simpler, especially if you’re heading up into the Sierra de Peñamayor. Hire a car. Already in Spain? Get directions.
By bus, ALSA coaches link Nava with Oviedo’s bus station on a regular schedule. It’s a cheap, relaxed way to travel if you’d rather skip the driving altogether. Buy tickets.
However you arrive, Nava rewards the trip. Cider, countryside, and proper Asturian hospitality are all waiting for you.