What to see on the way from Madrid to Asturias

If you go from Madrid to Asturias By car, you have two main routes:

• By the A-6 (Madrid - Benavente - León - Asturias): This is the fastest and most direct option, with motorways along almost the entire route Duration: 4 and a half hours.
• On the A-1 (Madrid - Burgos - León - Asturias): A little longer, but you can save the toll and have the possibility of making interesting stops in Burgos and Aranda de Duero Duration: 5 and a half hours.

Both options take between 4 and 5 hours, not including stops. The choice depends on whether you prefer a faster route or want to take advantage of the opportunity to sightsee and enjoy the cuisine along the way.

In this article we tell you The best stops on each route, where to eat well, and some useful tips for the trip.

We also leave you our selection of plans in Asturias:

• What to see in Llanes
• Where to eat in Llanes
• What to see in Ribadesella
• Where to eat in Ribadesella

Madrid-Asturias route via the A-6: Best stops along the way

If you go from Madrid to Asturias via the A-6, the journey is quite comfortable, but it is worth making a few stops to enjoy the trip without rushing. We usually stop in Astorga or León, because in addition to stretching your legs, you can eat delicious food. If you have time, you can also take a detour and discover places like Las Médulas or Ponferrada.

1. Benavente

Benavente is a very strategic stop because it's almost halfway there. It's not the most touristy place in the world, but if you need a quick break, is a perfect choice.

What to see in Benavente:

• The Snail Tower, which is what remains of the old castle of Benavente.
• The Church of Santa María del Azogue, with Romanesque and Gothic details.

Where to eat in Benavente: If you want a quick meal, there are restaurants in the area grills and barbecues where you can order a good steak or roast lamb. Another option is the Parador of Benavente, where they serve traditional dishes with quality products.

💡 Our recommendation: If you just want to have something to eat and continue, a coffee with a snack in the Bar La Ruta It will help you continue your journey without wasting much time.

2. Astorga

Astorga is one of those places that's always worth stopping by. If you like architecture, this is where you'll find it an impressive cathedral and a palace designed by Gaudí And if you like good food, prepare yourself for one of the most hearty dishes of Castilla y León: Maragato stew.

What to see in Astorga:

• The Episcopal Palace, a work by Gaudí, which seems to have come straight out of a storybook.
• The Astorga Cathedral, with an impressive facade.
• The Chocolate Museum, ideal for those with a sweet tooth.

Where to eat in Astorga: Here you have to go yes or yes Let's go for a Maragato stew. It's served "backwards": first the meat, then the chickpeas, and finally the soup Maragata House y Serrano Restaurant are two of the best places to try it.

💡 Our recommendation: If you want something lighter, in The Peseta They have a more varied menu, with local products.

3. Leon

If there is a city on this route where it is worth making a long stop, that is it Lion It is easy to get around, has a spectacular cathedral and, best of all, the Wet Neighborhood, where tapas are free with drinks.

What to see in León:

• The León Cathedral, with some amazing stained glass windows.
• The Botines House, another jewel by Gaudí.
• The Wet Neighborhood, the best place for tapas.

Where to eat in León: In the Barrio Húmedo you can go from bar to bar trying tapas with each beer or wine The Bicha is famous for its Leonese blood sausage, and in The Rebound They make some brutal croquettes.

💡 Our recommendation: Don't leave without trying the Leon cured meat, is a delicacy. In Madrid Cabin They serve it like a luxury.

4. Ponferrada and Las Médulas (optional detour)

If you have extra time and fancy a little detour, Ponferrada and Las Médulas They are amazing. Ponferrada has a Templar castle that looks like something out of a medieval movie, and The Medulas It is a unique landscape in Spain, with reddish mountains that were once Roman gold mines.

What to see in Ponferrada:

• The Templar Castle, huge and very well preserved.
• The Old Town, perfect for a quiet walk.

What to see in Las Médulas:

• The Orellán Viewpoint with spectacular views.
• The Path of the Valiñas, a simple route between the rock formations.

Where to eat in the area: If you go to Ponferrada, in The Moncloa of San Lázaro they make a botillo from Bierzo spectacular (be careful, it is a very powerful dish).

💡 Our recommendation: If you prefer something lighter, in The Tavern of Ra In Las Médulas they have Bierzo sausages and delicious local cheeses.

Route along the A-1: Recommended stops

If instead of the A-6 you choose the A-1 to go from Madrid to Asturias, the path will take you through Burgos and the Castilian plateau, with the possibility of stopping in towns steeped in history and spectacular cuisine. This route is a little longer than the A-6, but it's worth it if you want to discover places like Aranda de Duero, Burgos or even a getaway to the Palentina Mountains.

1. Aranda de Duero

If there's one reason to stop in Aranda de Duero, it's its cuisine. This area is famous for its roast lamb, one of the star dishes of Castilla y León, and for being one of the capitals of the Ribera del Duero, so if you like good wine, this is a good place to do a quick tasting.

What to see in Aranda de Duero:

• The Church of Santa María la Real, with a spectacular Gothic cover.
• The underground cellars, some with centuries of history.

Where to eat in Aranda de Duero: If you want to try the authentic roasted lamb in a wood-fired oven, The Isilla Winery y Casa Florencio Grill are two of the most recommended sites.

💡 Our recommendation: If you don't want to have a long meal, you can stop at The Cantina and order a sandwich of local cold cuts with a good Ribera del Duero.

2. Burgos

Burgos is the most important stop on the A-1 and a place worth a longer visit. The city is very easy to navigate and boasts some of the most impressive monuments in northern Spain.

What to see in Burgos:

• The Burgos Cathedral, one of the most spectacular in Spain.
• The Espolón Walk, ideal for a stroll.
• The Museum of Human Evolution, highly recommended if you like history.

Where to eat in Burgos: Here the star dish is the Burgos blood sausage, and one of the best places to try it is The Favorite You can also go to Ojeda House, where they prepare traditional Castilian cuisine.

💡 Our recommendation: If you want to have tapas, in The Morito They serve generous portions at a good price.

3. Leon

If you're traveling along the A-1, after Burgos you can continue to León before crossing into Asturias. We've already mentioned León on the A-6 route, but we'll emphasize this: If you have time, it's worth stopping here..

4. Cervera de Pisuerga

If you love nature and want to take a short detour from the A-1, Cervera de Pisuerga is a very interesting option. It's right in the middle of the Palentina Mountain, an area with spectacular landscapes and hiking trails.

What to see in Cervera de Pisuerga:

• The Ruesga Reservoir, perfect for a break with a view.
• The Route of the Marshes, if you feel like walking for a while.
• The Fuentes Carrionas Natural Park, where you can see brown bears (if you are lucky).

Where to eat: At Pacho Hostel They serve homemade dishes with local products.

💡 Our recommendation: If you want something quick, in The Galician They make some really good cecina sandwiches.

Places of interest on the way to Asturias

Regardless of whether you go for the A-6 or A-1 There are some places worth a short detour if you're interested in seeing more before arriving in Asturias. From stunning natural landscapes to hiking trails, here are some options to make your trip even more interesting.

The Medulas (A-6)

If you go for the A-6, one of the most impressive places you can visit is The Medulas, an ancient Roman gold mine that left a landscape of reddish mountains with trails between them.

What to do in Las Médulas:

• Go up to Orellán Viewpoint to have the best views.
• Make the Path of the Valiñas, a simple route between the rock formations.
• Visit the Interpretation Center to understand how the mine worked in Roman times.

💡 Our recommendation: Wear comfortable shoes and bring some water if you are going to do the route.

Riaza River Gorges (A-1)

If you go for the A-1 and you fancy a stop in the middle of nature, the Riaza River Gorges are a good option. This natural park is full of cliffs where griffon vultures nest, and there are easy trails for a short walk before continuing your journey.

What to do in the Riaza River Gorges:

• Visit the Linares reservoir viewpoint, with spectacular views.
• Make a Short route to the Montejo de la Vega bird of prey refuge.
• Stop at Maderuelo, a small medieval town with a lot of charm.

💡 Our recommendation If you like photography, bring your camera because the landscapes here are picture-postcard-worthy.

Picos de Europa (detour from both routes)

If you have time and fancy a mountain detour before entering Asturias, the Picos de Europa are an incredible option. From Cangas de Onís, you can reach the famous Lakes of Covadonga, one of the most beautiful landscapes in northern Spain.

What to do in the Picos de Europa:

• Visit the Lakes of Covadonga and its viewpoint.
• Stop at Covadonga to see the basilica and the cave.
• Make the Cares Route, one of the most spectacular hikes in Spain.

💡 Our recommendation: During high season, there is a bus system to get to the lakes, so check the schedules in advance.

The Pola de Gordón (A-6)

If you are going along the A-6 and want to make one last stop before crossing Asturias, The Pola of Gordon It is a good place to rest surrounded by mountains. It is just before the port of Pajares, one of the natural entrances to Asturias.

What to do in La Pola de Gordón:

• Strolling through the Ciñera Beech Forest, especially beautiful in autumn.
• Visit the Ibarra Well, an old coal mine.
• Eat something before crossing the port.

Where to eat: at Ezequiel House They have spectacular sausages and hearty homemade dishes.

💡 Our recommendation: If you like nature, the route of the Ciñera beech forest It is short and very pretty.

Where to eat on the way from Madrid to Asturias

One of the best plans when taking a road trip is to take the opportunity to try the local cuisine. Whether you're going by A-6 as for the A-1 There are plenty of places to eat well without having to stray too far from the highway. Here are some options depending on the route you choose.

Where to eat on the A-6 route

• Benavente: If you make a quick stop, in the Parador of Benavente You can try traditional dishes such as roasted lamb or grilled cod. If you prefer something more informal, Zoilo House They make very tasty sandwiches and portions.
• Astorga: Mandatory stop for lunch Maragato stew. In Maragata House They serve it in its most traditional version, while in Serrano Restaurant You have more varied but equally good options.
• Lion: The best option here is to go to the Wet Neighborhood and order free beers with tapas at places like The Rebound (famous for its croquettes) or The Bicha (specialized in black pudding from León). If you want a place with a menu, in Madrid Cabin They have spectacular grilled meats.
• Ponferrada: If you make the detour here, don't leave without trying the botillo from Bierzo, a hearty cooked sausage. In The Moncloa of San Lázaro they prepare it in a luxurious way.

Where to eat on the A-1 route

• Aranda de Duero: If you are fans of the roast lamb, this is your place. The best grills are The Isilla Winery y Florencio House, where they make it in a wood-fired oven.
• Burgos: Here the star dish is the Burgos blood sausage. In Ojeda House They prepare it in a traditional way, and in The Morito They serve it as a tapa with the drink.
• Lion: As on the A-6, the Wet Neighborhood It's the best place to eat well and cheaply. Try the cecina at The Cazurros Tavern or some tapas in The Gaucho.
• Cervera de Pisuerga (optional detour): If you detour to the Palentina Mountain, in Pacho Hostel They serve homemade food with local products.

Fast and highway options

If you just want to stop for a quick bite to eat without going out of your way, there are service areas with decent restaurants along the way:

• Villalpando service area (A-6): Daily menu with homemade dishes at a good price.
• Tudanca Grill (A-1, Aranda de Duero): Quality grilled meats and sandwiches.
• La Pausa service area (A-66, León): Good option for snacks and coffee.

💡 Our recommendation: If you can, avoid fast food chains and try local products. A 30-40 minute stop at a good steakhouse or tavern can make all the difference in your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we leave you some of the most common doubts about the trip Madrid to Asturias by car.

What is the best stopover between Madrid and Asturias?

It depends on the route you choose:

• Via the A-6: Lion It's the best option if you want to visit a city with good food and interesting sites. If you're just looking for a break, Benavente It is quieter and well located.
• Via the A-1: Burgos It's the best stop if you want to combine tourism and gastronomy. If you're looking for something more relaxing, Aranda de Duero It is a good option for a meal without entering a big city.

Are there options for traveling without paying tolls?

Yes, but it will take you more time.

• On the A-6, you can avoid the toll of Guadarrama Tunnel going for it Port of the Lions (N-VI), although it is slower. You can also avoid the toll of the Huerna crossing through the Pajares port (N-630), but in winter it is not always advisable.
• On the A-1 There are no tolls on the Madrid-Burgos-León section, making it the most economical option in terms of toll roads.

What should I see along the way if I only have time for one stop?

If only you can do a stop, we recommend:

• Leon (A-6): See the cathedral, eat at the Wet Neighborhood and continue the journey.
• Burgos (A-1): Visit the cathedral, take a walk along the Spur and eat a blood sausage in a local bar.
• Astorga (A-6): If you like architecture, the Gaudí's Episcopal Palace It is a quick and highly recommended visit.

What's the best route if I want to do some sightseeing before arriving in Asturias?

If you want to take advantage of the route for sightseeing, the best option is:

• Via the A-6: Stop at Astorga to see Gaudí's Palace and try the Maragato stew, and then in Lion to visit the cathedral and have tapas in the Barrio Húmedo.
• Via the A-1: Make a stop at Burgos, visit the cathedral and eat a good suckling lamb before continuing.

Where are the best places to eat, on the A-6 or the A-1?

Both routes have very good options:

• If you like roast: Better the A-1, with sites like Aranda de Duero (suckling lamb) or Burgos (lamb and blood sausage).
• If you want tapas and more varied food: Better the A-6 with the Wet Neighborhood of León as the best option to eat well without spending a lot.
• If you are looking for something hearty and traditional: In the A-6 there is the Maragato stew from Astorga and the botillo from Bierzo in Ponferrada.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see on the way from Madrid to Asturias you can visit our posts about National Routes.