From dramatic mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park to buildings precariously close to its Atlantic Coast’s sheer cliffs, Asturias is one of Spain’s best kept secrets.

In a valley, the capital Oviedo is an eclectic mix of architecture, great food and even greater nightlife. And for nightlife read ‘early morning life’ as things don’t get going until after midnight. Nearby Gijón is the region’s biggest city and well known for its cider industry and long, sandy beach.

With over 250 km of coastline, Asturias has an impressive array of beaches, many sheltered by towering cliffs. One such beach is Playa del Silencio near Cudillero. Along the coast the port of Aviles has a delightful French garden and the futuristic-looking Centro Niemeyer.

Popular Llanes to the east is home to some of the best Asturias hotels, and the coastline between here and Pendueles is absolutely spectacular. Ribadesella also has beautiful scenery where river meets sea. By a different river mouth is Luarca, a picturesque town curving around its harbour full of fishing boats bringing in excellent seafood.

Inland the scenery undulates in peaks and troughs, and beaches give way to fields where grazing animals far outweigh tourists. Here are more country houses on Booking.com, while most Asturias apartments, guest houses and hotels are by the coast.