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- Santa Cueva (Holy Cave) — A tiny rock-cut sanctuary tucked into the cliff where the image of La Santina (the Virgin of Covadonga) is venerated. It’s intimate, slightly otherworldly and packed with centuries of local devotion; the stone, candles and echoes make it feel like a real pause in time.
- Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga — The pink limestone neo-Romanesque church that rises below the cave. Architecturally striking against the mountains, it’s worth lingering for the façades, stained-glass light and the way the building frames the whole sanctuary complex.
- History of Don Pelayo and the Battle of Covadonga — This place is the symbolic starting point of the Reconquista. Even if the exact battlelines are fuzzy, the story and local monuments give a powerful sense of how legend,
- Santa Cueva (Holy Cave) — A tiny rock-cut sanctuary tucked into the cliff where the image of La Santina (the Virgin of Covadonga) is venerated. It’s intimate, slightly otherworldly and packed with centuries of local devotion; the stone, candles and echoes make it feel like a real pause in time.
- Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga — The pink limestone neo-Romanesque church that rises below the cave. Architecturally striking against the mountains, it’s worth lingering for the façades, stained-glass light and the way the building frames the whole sanctuary complex.
- History of Don Pelayo and the Battle of Covadonga — This place is the symbolic starting point of the Reconquista. Even if the exact battlelines are fuzzy, the story and local monuments give a powerful sense of how legend, faith and identity shaped Asturias.
- Lagos de Covadonga (Enol and Ercina) — Glacial lakes up on the Picos de Europa, mirror-smooth on calm mornings and surrounded by alpine meadows and dramatic peaks. Great for easy walks, photography and simple alpine solitude — my personal favorite for sunrise and day-hikes.
- The mountain road and viewpoints — The climb from the sanctuary up to the lakes is a highlight in itself: hairpins, sudden panoramas and roadside lookouts where you can see the Picos unfold. It’s also a legendary Vuelta a España climb, so expect cyclists on race days.
- Wildlife and high-mountain scenery — Keep an eye out for chamois (rebecos), raptors and seasonal wildflowers. The contrast between the lush lower valley and the rocky cirques above is dramatic and gives the area a proper mountain-wild feel.
- Local culture and food — Small cafés and taverns in the surrounding villages (and in nearby Cangas de Onís) serve Asturian staples — sidra poured the right way, hearty stews and strong cheeses. It’s a good place to refuel after hiking and to taste the region properly.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.