Grado, Asturias: Palaces, Museum and Day Trips Guide
Province of Asturias · Asturias · Spain · 9,839 residents
Monastery of the Holy Saviour
historical site of Grado
Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana, Grado
Palacio de Valdés-Bazán
Palacio de CañedoGrado is an inland Asturian town of just under 10,000 people, sitting at 84 metres above sea level and only 12 miles from Asturias Airport. Its appeal is cultural rather than coastal. The historical site of Grado and the Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana lie within a few minutes' walk of each other, and the Grado Ethnographic Museum is under a mile away. A short drive out brings you to the Monastery of the Holy Saviour in Salas and a scatter of country palaces. Oviedo, Avilés and Cudillero are all within 14 miles, which makes Grado a calm, well-placed base for travellers from the UK who prefer stone and history to sunloungers.
Why go
- The Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana and the historical site of Grado sit side by side in town.
- Asturias Airport, with direct flights from the UK, is roughly a 17-minute drive away.
- The Monastery of the Holy Saviour in Salas lies just over 4 miles from Grado.
Top sights in Grado
Palaces, a Monastery and a Museum
The most notable sight in the area is the Monastery of the Holy Saviour, a protected cultural property in neighbouring Salas, about 4.4 miles from Grado. Back in town, the historical site of Grado is a protected area roughly a quarter of a mile from the centre, and the Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana stands about 0.3 miles away. The palace of Fontela is equally close, around a quarter of a mile out.
A little further afield, a ring of country palaces rewards anyone with car hire: Palacio de Cañedo at about 3.4 miles, Doriga Palace in Salas at about 3.5 miles, and Palacio de Valdés-Bazán in Candamo at about 4.3 miles. The Grado Ethnographic Museum, roughly 0.8 miles from the centre, is a good pick for families.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
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Palacio de Cañedo
3 miles from the centre · Photo
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Grado Ethnographic Museum
museum · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Grado
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Grado can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Grado
Staying in a Small Inland Town
Grado is not on the coast, so the choice is less about beachfront versus old town and more about how close you want to be to the historical centre. Staying near the historical site of Grado and the Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana puts the town's main sights within a short stroll.
With a population of just under 10,000, Grado is a quiet place to sleep, and anyone wanting a livelier evening has Oviedo about 12 miles away. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Grado and the villages around it is a hire car from Asturias (OVD), about 17 min away.
Best time to visit Grado
Getting there from the UK
Flying and Driving from the UK
Asturias Airport (OVD) is the obvious gateway: it has direct flights from the UK and sits about 12 miles from Grado, roughly a 17-minute drive. Santander (SDR) also has direct UK flights and is about 113 miles away, a drive of around 2 hours 40 minutes. Santiago de Compostela (SCQ), likewise served directly from the UK, is about 123 miles away, just under 3 hours by car.
There are no ferry ports listed for this route, but drivers coming through France can reach Grado from Calais in roughly 15 hours behind the wheel.
By air
- Asturias (OVD)12 miles, about 17 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)123 miles, about 2 h 54 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)113 miles, about 2 h 41 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 54 min without stops.
Grado is good for
Around Grado
Easy Day Trips Across Asturias
Oviedo, the regional capital with a population of around 220,000, is only about 12 miles away, as is the small town of Cudillero, home to around 5,000 people. Avilés, a town of nearly 79,000, lies roughly 14 miles from Grado.
For a longer outing, Pola de Somiedo, a village of about 1,500 people, is around 22 miles away, while Gijón, the largest of the nearby towns at nearly 272,000 residents, is about 23 miles away. Every one of these is close enough for a relaxed return to Grado the same evening.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Car hire makes a real difference here. The in-town sights are walkable, but the monastery and the outlying palaces sit 3 to 4 miles out, and the day trips run up to 23 miles.
Grado is a small, inland town at a modest 84 metres, so expect a quiet pace rather than resort-style nightlife; Oviedo and Gijón are the places for bigger-city evenings. Because the town is not coastal, plan a separate excursion if seaside time is part of your holiday.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Grado with flights from the UK?
Asturias Airport (OVD) is the nearest, about 12 miles from Grado and roughly a 17-minute drive. It has direct flights from the UK, making it the most convenient arrival point by a wide margin.
Is Grado on the coast?
No. Grado is an inland town at 84 metres above sea level. Its attractions are cultural, including the historical site of Grado, several palaces and the Grado Ethnographic Museum, rather than beaches.
What are the main things to see in Grado?
In town, the historical site of Grado, the Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana and the palace of Fontela are all within about a third of a mile. The Grado Ethnographic Museum is about 0.8 miles away, and the Monastery of the Holy Saviour in Salas is about 4.4 miles away.
How far is Grado from Oviedo?
Oviedo is about 12 miles from Grado, which makes it an easy day trip or evening out. Avilés is roughly 14 miles away and Gijón around 23 miles, so all of Asturias' larger towns are within comfortable reach.
Can I drive to Grado from the UK?
Yes. There are no ferry ports listed for this route, but the drive from Calais takes roughly 15 hours. Most UK travellers will find flying into Asturias Airport, 12 miles away, far quicker.
Is Grado good for families?
Grado suits families who enjoy culture at a gentle pace. The Grado Ethnographic Museum and the Palace of Miranda-Valdecarzana are both family-friendly, and the town's small size, just under 10,000 residents, keeps things calm.