Oriente de Asturias travel guide and discussion

we did a one-day loop by car and it felt like three trips in one (^▽^)ﾉ first stop: mirador del fito. we arrived in full fog, so no postcard views — but it was still great. horses grazing right by the lookout, thick clouds around us, rocks to climb and disappear into the mist. very “edge of the world” vibes. on a clear day you see both picos de europa and the coast, but even in fog it felt magical. for lunch, casa trabanco: classic sidrería with proper asturian food and cider. good place to warm up after the lookout and try local dishes before heading to the sea. then we drove to the coast: bufones de pria and playa de guadamía. when the tide is low you can walk along the almost-dry inlet and explore the rocks; when the tide is high, the whole bay fills with water and waves roll in like a fjord. on windy days you may hear or see the bufones — sea water and air shooting up through the cliffs. even without the sprays it’s a beautiful, wild stretch of coast. to finish, we turned inland toward covadonga— the basilica on the hill and the holy cave below (there’s a separate post about it). it’s important to arrive before sunset: the pink church, the mountains and the grotto with the waterfall all look much more intense in natural light, and after dark part of the magic disappears (｡•‿•)っ if you have a car and one free day in asturias, this loop — fito → lunch at casa trabanco → bufones de pria & guadamía → covadonga + holy cave — is a very solid plan. #asturias #roadtrip #miradordelfito #casatrabanco #bufonesdepria #playaguadamia #covadonga #santuariodecovadonga #santacueva #picosdeeurope #northspain #daytrip #mountainsandsea #viewpoint #hiking #cider #sidra #travelguide #itinerary #tripcom

My experience in the Picos de Europa was all about slowing down and enjoying the landscape. I spent time exploring mountain paths, looking across deep valleys, and stopping whenever the scenery caught my attention. The area felt wonderfully removed from the busy rhythm of a large city. At the same time, visiting nearby villages gave me opportunities to enjoy local food and traditional surroundings. That combination of outdoor adventure and local culture made the Picos perfect for #citybreakvsnatureescapeape. #citybreakvsnatureescape

#photovsrealitytravel 📸 The photographs of the Lakes of Covadonga showed beautiful mountains and water, but they couldn't show the peaceful feeling I experienced there. I remember standing near the lake, looking at the surrounding peaks and listening to the wind. The scenery felt much larger and calmer than it appeared on my phone. I took several photographs, but after a while I stopped because I realized I was concentrating too much on getting the perfect shot. The real memory became the quiet moment when I simply stood there and enjoyed the landscape. That's the beauty of #photovsrealitytravel.

What I enjoyed most about the Picos de Europa was the contrast between the peaceful villages and the enormous mountains surrounding them. I could spend part of the day exploring a small settlement before heading into the countryside for a walk. The scenery changed constantly, from green valleys to rocky peaks and wide viewpoints. It felt like the kind of place where I could completely reset after a busy urban trip. #citybreakvsnatureescapeape captured that contrast perfectly. #citybreakvsnatureescape

#photovsrealitytravel I had seen beautiful photographs of the Lakes of Covadonga surrounded by green mountains, and the images made the area look almost unreal. When I arrived, the landscape really was beautiful, but the reflections and changing light made it even more interesting. The surface of the water could look completely different depending on the weather and angle. I remember standing near the lake and watching clouds move across the mountains while their reflections changed below. My photos captured some of the scenery, but not the peaceful atmosphere. It was a wonderful #photovsrealitytravel experience.

Visiting the Picos de Europa felt like a real escape from the urban side of Spain. I remember being impressed by the dramatic peaks, green valleys, and winding roads through the mountains. Instead of spending the day surrounded by buildings and traffic, I enjoyed walking outdoors and stopping at viewpoints to take in the scenery. The quiet atmosphere made the experience feel completely different from a city break, but the small villages nearby added a nice cultural touch. #citybreakvsnatureescapeape #citybreakvsnatureescape

#photovsrealitytravel 🌫️ I arrived at the Lakes of Covadonga expecting the clear mountain views I had seen online, but mist appeared around the peaks during my visit. At first, I thought I had lost my chance for the perfect photograph. Then the fog started moving through the mountains, revealing and hiding the peaks at different moments. The atmosphere became mysterious and much more dramatic than I expected. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” conditions, I started enjoying what nature was giving me. It became one of those unforgettable #photovsrealitytravel moments where reality created a better story than the picture I had planned.

#slowtraveling The Covadonga Lakes (Enol and Ercina) sit at 1,070 m inside Picos de Europa. From May–Oct, private cars are banned 8:30–20:00—you take the shuttle from the Covadonga village (€5.50 return, cash only at the kiosk, card at the InfoCovadonga office). I biked up instead (22 km, 1,300 m climb from Cangas de Onís) and owned the mossy forest road before the first shuttle. The road from Covadonga shrine to Enol is 12 km of beech and holly, moss on the north banks, limestone scree on the south. At Enol, I walked the 3 km loop to Ercina (free, 1 hr)—the moss around the little lake is knee-deep on the logs, and the wind off the massif smells of wet stone. Transport: Oviedo → Cangas de Onís (ALSA, €6.20, 1h10m), then shuttle or bike. Mistake: I biked up in August at 11 am—heat + 1,300 m = suffering. Start 6:30 am, summit by 8:30, descend before shuttle traffic. Kindness: a guard at the Enol ranger post refilled my bottle from the spring and warned “la mossa no se pisa, se mira” (moss isn’t stepped on, it’s looked at). Entry to the national park is free. The Covadonga shrine parking is €2. Stay in Cangas (€45 hostal), not the village—village is car-locked midday. Should a forest road be closed to cars to save the moss, even if it locks out the slow driver?

#easytravelpost The Covadonga Lakes (Ercina + Enol) sit at 1,070 m in Picos de Europa. Private cars banned in peak season (Jun–Oct, plus weekends May–Oct, plus festivos)—park at Cangas de Onís (P1, 2 EUR/day) or the four intermediate lots (2 EUR each) and take the shuttle bus (9 EUR round-trip adult, 3.50 EUR kids 4–11, under 3 free), 07:40–20:00 every 30 min from Cangas. I drove Oviedo→Cangas (1 hr), parked P1 at 08:00, bus to Enol. Enol is a glacial tarn ringed by pasture; from the west shore a 2.5 hr climb hits the Horcados Rojos—a red limestone cliff band at ~2,000 m where the Picos go jagged and the chamois graze the ledge. I walked the lake shore at 09:30 (mirror flat, no wind), then pushed up the grass-and-scree to the cliff at 11:00 for the Ercina–Enol double view. Bus down by 16:00. Mistake: I drove my own car to Covadonga village in July and hit the roadblock at Repelao—shuttle only, 2 EUR parking wasted. Another: I wore trail runners on the Horcados scree and slipped; boots. Would you do Enol + Horcados as a Cangas day-loop (shuttle up, walk, shuttle down), or bike the CO-4 road (allowed) for the climb and skip the bus queue?

#europetrip Playa de La Franca is one of the most accessible and scenic beaches in Asturias, known for its wide sandy shore and sheltered setting between green hills and rocky outcrops. At low tide, the beach expands into a broad stretch of golden sand, revealing small coves and tidal pools that are perfect for exploring. The surrounding cliffs provide protection from strong winds, creating a calmer environment compared to more exposed beaches along the coast. With its mix of natural beauty and easy access, it offers a relaxing and picturesque seaside experience in Asturias.

#europetrip Beyond their natural beauty, the Lakes of Covadonga are closely linked to the nearby Sanctuary of Covadonga, an important spiritual and historical site in Asturias. Many visitors combine both locations in a single journey, moving from sacred caves and basilicas to the open alpine landscapes above. This contrast between cultural heritage and untouched nature makes the experience especially meaningful, as the lakes feel not only like a natural wonder but also part of a deeper regional identity tied to Asturias’ history and traditions.

#europetrip At the Lakes of Covadonga, the atmosphere is defined by silence, fresh mountain air, and constantly changing light across the water. The lakes sit peacefully beneath towering limestone peaks, where clouds often drift low and cast moving shadows over the landscape. In Asturias, known for its green valleys and wild coastline, this alpine region offers a different but equally powerful kind of beauty. Walking around the lakes reveals grazing cows, stone paths, and panoramic viewpoints that make every direction feel like a postcard.

#europetrip The Lakes of Covadonga are one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in Asturias, located high in the Picos de Europa mountains. Surrounded by rugged peaks and sweeping alpine meadows, the lakes—Enol and Ercina—reflect the dramatic scenery like mirrors in the sky. The journey up the winding mountain roads or shuttle routes adds to the sense of arrival, as the landscape gradually shifts from green valleys to rocky, snow-dusted heights, creating a feeling of stepping into a completely different world.

#EuropeTravel #Porto #Lisbon Looking at the photos from Portugal last year makes me want to go back. Porto was overflowing with tourists, and the night view of the Dom Luís Bridge was stunning. The Picos de Europa Mountains were beautiful, the Basílica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga is stunning, and the Mirador de Entrelagos lake is a must-see.

the sanctuary of covadonga sits in the picos de europa mountains: a pink neo-romanesque basilica on a hill and, just below, a cave carved into the rock with a chapel inside. it’s one of the key pilgrimage spots in asturias (^▽^)ﾉ the cave (santa cueva) is where tradition places the beginning of the reconquista: in the 8th century a small asturian force led by pelayo resisted here and won the battle of covadonga, seen as the first christian victory against the muslim armies. today the grotto holds the statue of the virgin of covadonga (la santina) and the tombs of pelayo and alfonso i. water falls under the rock and there’s a tiny balcony chapel above the pool — very atmospheric (｡•‿•)っ up on the esplanade the basilica de santa maría la real de covadonga rises in pink stone with two tall towers. from the square you see mountains on all sides, and right in front stands the statue of king pelayo with a cross in his hand — symbol of the first asturian king and of that “first step” of the reconquista. it’s one of those places where landscape, legend and history are glued together: you walk from the basilica down to the cave, pass under the rock, hear the water and understand why this tiny valley became such a big story for the whole country (╹◡╹) #asturias #covadonga #santuariodecovadonga #basilicadecovalonga #santacueva #lasantina #donpelayo #reconquista #picosdeeurope #spain #pilgrimage #history #mountainviews #roadtrip #thingstodo #tripcom

#hellohalloween Riding by the Cliffs I joined a small horseback riding tour that started just outside Ribadesella. The horses trotted along green pastures and coastal trails where the sea wind brushed your face. From the top of a hill, you could see both the ocean and the snow-capped Picos de Europa in the same view — surreal. It’s the kind of landscape that makes you fall in love with slow travel all over again.

#hellohalloween One morning I drove inland, taking random turns through the countryside. I found tiny villages like Cuevas del Agua, where you drive through a natural tunnel carved by a river. Old stone houses with red-tiled roofs stood among chestnut trees, and locals waved as I passed. I had lunch in a tavern where no menu existed — just fresh fish, bread, and wine. Sometimes, the best parts of Asturias are the ones you stumble upon without planning.

#hellohalloween The Sella River is Ribadesella’s heartbeat. I rented a kayak and joined others paddling downstream through green valleys and limestone cliffs. The water sparkled in the sun, and cows watched lazily from the fields. Halfway down, I stopped at a riverside bar for a drink — it’s that kind of adventure, easy and joyful. By the time we reached Ribadesella’s bridge, I was sun-kissed, tired, and smiling.

#hellohalloween Evenings in Ribadesella are made for cider. I walked to the sidrería district, where the air smells like apples and laughter. Waiters poured cider high above their heads with perfect rhythm, and each table was full of locals chatting over plates of grilled fish, chorizo, and cheese from Cabrales. I ended the night with a stroll by the harbor, the lights reflecting on the water. There’s a rhythm to Asturian nights — music, sea, and stories flowing as easily as the cider itself.

#hellohalloween After exploring the cliffs, I spent my afternoon stretched out on Santa Marina Beach. Families played by the water, locals walked their dogs, and the sun felt warm but never too hot. The promenade was lined with beautiful villas — old and elegant, facing the sea like guardians of time. I grabbed an ice cream and watched the tide roll in slowly. Ribadesella has that perfect balance of energy and calm — you can do everything or absolutely nothing and still feel fulfilled.

#hellohalloween I followed a coastal path from Ribadesella toward Guadamía Beach, where the cliffs drop suddenly into turquoise sea caves. The blowholes of Pría were incredible — you can hear the ocean breathing through the rocks. Along the way, wildflowers grew in every direction, and the wind carried the scent of salt and grass. I sat at the edge watching waves crash below, feeling tiny and free. It’s an easy walk but one of the most beautiful I’ve ever done.

#hellohalloween One of the best parts of staying in Ribadesella is how close the mountains are. I took a morning drive toward the Picos de Europa, passing fields dotted with cows and stone villages wrapped in mist. By midday, I was hiking through trails surrounded by ferns and waterfalls, the air cool and earthy. Afterward, I stopped in a mountain tavern for cider and fabada. It felt like two worlds in one day — the sea that morning, the mountains by afternoon.

#hellohalloween Waking up in Ribadesella feels like breathing fresh air for the first time. I started my weekend walking along Santa Marina Beach, the waves washing softly against the shore while surfers waited for the perfect set. The light was golden, and the mountains in the distance made it all feel like a painting. After coffee in a small seaside café, I strolled through the old town’s cobbled streets, the scent of salt and bread mixing in the air. It was the kind of peaceful start that sets the tone for the whole trip.

#hellohalloween Wild and Peaceful The coast of Asturias feels wild in the best way. Waves crash against the rocks, the wind shifts constantly, and the trails follow nature’s own rhythm. Walking the Camino here made me feel small in a good way — part of something bigger, something ancient and alive. There’s peace in that wildness, and it’s what makes this stretch unforgettable.

#hellohalloween Walking the coastal Camino through Asturias reminded me how simple joy can be: fresh air, ocean views, friendly faces, and long, quiet paths. The trail winds between cliffs and meadows, with cows grazing in the distance and seabirds circling overhead. I met other walkers, exchanged smiles and stories, and felt that unique Camino camaraderie that makes even strangers feel like friends.

#hellohalloween Between Beaches and Hills The Asturian section of the Camino de Santiago has this perfect rhythm — one moment you’re walking through green hills, the next you’re descending to a beach where the sand feels untouched. I loved how the landscape kept changing, always dramatic, always beautiful. Stopping at small coastal towns for coffee or cider made the whole experience feel both adventurous and comforting at the same time.

#hellohalloween Asturias is full of surprises, and near Ribadesella I even saw locals riding horses through the hills and along the beaches. It gave me a sense of how connected life here still is to nature. Sleeping in Ribadesella gave me access to that authentic Asturian vibe — a mix of traditions, landscapes, and simple pleasures that make you want to stay longer than just a weekend.

#hellohalloween Sunsets on the Coast One of my favorite moments in Ribadesella was watching the sunset from the beach. The colors over the Bay of Biscay were magical, shifting from gold to pink to deep blue, with the mountains still visible in the distance. Staying in town meant I could end each day with this view, a peaceful reminder of how special Asturias is.