Beyond Madrid and Barcelona
 

I will be hiking in the Asturia region with the closest city being Oviedo. I fly out of Madrid and will spend a week there before I depart back to the states. I have 3-4 days free in between Oviedo and Madrid. I am thinking about going to Longoro,, Sevilla, Granada or possibly Portugal or Marseille ( as I love anything French). Any suggestions for a "safe" side trip as I plan to walk and prefer a mid size to smaller city. I have ruled out Barcelona.

Keppie:
you will be going "down"(south) from Asturias to Madrid; some perfect no so small and not so big cities are Logroño, or Burgos, or Zaragoza; your choice.
I think that for only four days south of spain, or Marseille are a little too far.When are you going?, as a group of friends we are going to Zaragoza,Logroño and Bilbao next june.
Enjoy your trip.

jelopez33 - I am going this Septemeber. Is Logroño, Burgos, or Zaragoza part of the Asturias region? I did want to experience a different "flavor". Has anyone been to Zaragoza and can you comment?

Leon with its wonderful cathedral is worth a day, but Salamanca is where I would head for The Plaza Major is magical. Seville and Granada are great but as you're in the north best to stay there. Santiago de Compostella is also worth considering.

You want to stay In Asturias but also think you can get to Portugal and France for a few days. You cannot, unless you go though BCN or Madrid. Stay in the North. Explore the region more. The more days you travel the less days for sightseeing and relaxing.
If you do not know where suggestions are please look them up on Google maps.
Spain is going to be very different to your "love" - France.

Excellent and wise feedback. Thank you.

Kepis:no, the y are not part of Asturias. Logroño for example is part of Rioja, a región famous for wines.
If you happen to like wines, you will find this region is paradise.
I forgot to mention Bilbao , also a medium city with plenty of good things, glorious food and a Guggenheim Museum.
Any way, if you travel in september, just do ttt on your post in july and I will let you know our thoughts.

I love wine and cheese. With those two pleasures I can watch the world go by. Combine that with a city that offers a lot of history and neat neighborhoods to explore and that has few tourists and I will be heaven. I have been to Bilbao for part of day. It was beautiful, but now looking for a less "touristy" place.

Keppie: I think that either Burgos, León, Zaragoza o Logroño will be good for you. Near Logroño, one can visit famous wineries, maybe Riscal is the most famous, out standing architecture and good wines and cheese and cold cut plates, or full gourmet lunch if you prefer.
I Am confidente we will help you a little more in July. Ejoy planning and researching.

Visitng the wineries sounds like fun and these smaller cities should be just right! Thank you.