One of the biggest advantages when choosing Oviedo as an exchange destination is the ease of traveling, both inside and outside the country, and how cheap it is. In Oviedo it is very common to go on getaways after the exam weeks and the airport has plenty of cheap flights within Spain such as Sevilla, Valencia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Ibiza. Furthermore, another advantage of making the getaways during these dates is that since it is low season, it is possible to find centrally located and beautiful accommodations for cheap so you will not spend more than 100 euros between transport and lodging.
However, traveling by plane is not the only cheap option since there is a wide variety of bus routes with which it is possible to travel to Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao for prices starting at 15 euros. I am used to taking buses to go visit my family, and I have to say it is a comfortable way to travel, as they usually have more availability of schedules and routes. I would recommend having some time for visiting northern small towns since not many foreigners know the area, but it has plenty of beautiful hikes and routes, cliffs, mountains and natural spots which are a must go. My favorite ones are Llanes, San Vicente de la Barquera, Comillas and Lastres, and there is a wide variety of public transportation to get there.
In addition, this year a new, improved rail system was introduced and now it is possible to travel to Madrid for prices starting at 20 euros and a three-hour trip, which is a great way to do so as well.
In Spain, skiing vacations are also very common, and another advantage of Oviedo is that it is very close to several ski stations where you can either go for a day or spend a whole weekend for loads of fun. On the other hand, surfing is also famous in the north of Spain and there are plenty of beaches near Oviedo where you can go and enjoy some good waves. Gijon’s beaches are a 30-minute bus drive away from Oviedo and they are a good option if you enjoy surfing next to the city. Another good option would be Salinas’ beach which is a totally worth it 1-hour bus drive from Oviedo. However, if you feel more like an adventurous person, you can always rent a car; –there are some cheap ones located all over the city that work with an app called guppy–and explore the prettiest coastline of Spain.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations and stay tuned for more tips on discovering Oviedo and Spain hidden gems.