From Gijón: Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres Day Trip

The best part of this Asturias day trip is the variety. In one long outing, you reach the glacial lakes of Covadonga, visit a mountain sanctuary built into the story of Asturias, stroll around Cangas de Onís, and finish with sea and mountain views from Lastres. It gives you a useful first look at the region without needing a car.

I like the way the tour combines major sights with free time, especially at the lakes and in Cangas de Onís. I also like the return route along the Cantabrian coast, with beaches at La Espasa, La Isla, and La Griega before the final stop at San Roque viewpoint. The main consideration is language: the tour is in Spanish with English explanations, and some English-speaking visitors found that much of the bus commentary remained in Spanish.

Key points to know

• Two very different views in one day: mountain lakes in the Picos de Europa and open sea views from Lastres.
• The lakes receive 2.5 hours: enough time for the main viewpoints and a little independent walking.
• Covadonga combines faith, history, and architecture: see the stone basilica, sacred cave, fountain, waterfall, and sanctuary.
• Cangas de Onís includes lunch time: try Asturian food and a culín of cider before seeing the famous bridge.
• English support varies: guides such as Santiago have provided careful translations, but Spanish is usually the main language.
• The tour costs $48: good value if you do not have a car and want several hard-to-reach places in one day.

From Gijón to the high country of Covadonga

Meet at Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña, also called Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Begoña, in Gijón. Arrive 15 minutes early and look for the Buendía Tours logo. The schedule is tight, and the guide normally cannot wait for late arrivals.

The first bus ride takes about 1.5 hours. That may sound long, but it is part of the appeal. You are heading from the city toward the Picos de Europa, and the road gives you a changing view of Asturias. You can leave the driving to someone else, which matters here because the route into the mountains includes narrow, winding roads.

This is also where the language issue matters most. The guide gives substantial information during the bus rides, and the main commentary is often in Spanish. English explanations are provided, but they may be shorter or given when the group leaves the bus. If you want the cultural background, ask your guide directly and keep your phone translation app ready.

Santiago has been especially helpful with English-speaking members of mixed-language groups, translating as much as possible and answering questions along the way. Other guides, including Esmeralda, have also been praised for keeping the day organized and looking after the group. Still, you should book this as a Spanish-led tour with English assistance, not as a fully equal bilingual tour.

Covadonga Lakes: glacial water and high mountain views

The tour gives you about 2.5 hours at the Lakes of Covadonga. This is the visual center of the day, and you should make the most of the time here.

The two main lakes are Lake Enol and Lake Ercina. They sit high in the Picos de Europa and were formed by glacial activity. At the Mirador de Entrelagos, you get a broad view over the mountain setting and the water. The stop is designed for seeing rather than strenuous hiking, though you should expect moderate walking over uneven ground.

I would bring water, wear shoes with a firm sole, and avoid treating this as a quick roadside photo stop. The time allows you to look around independently after the guide explains the area. Weather can shift quickly in the mountains, so comfortable layers are more useful than trying to dress for the conditions in Gijón.

The high point of the tour is also its main uncertainty. On some days, snow and ice close access to the lakes. If that happens, the company provides an alternative plan, but you will not see the main lake area as advertised. This is not something a tour operator can control, so check the forecast and accept that mountain conditions may change the route.

The lakes work best for you if you want scenery without committing to a full hiking day. If you are looking for long trails or a serious mountain walk, the scheduled stop will feel limited. The tour is about views, context, and several landmarks in one day.

Covadonga Sanctuary, basilica, and sacred cave

After the lakes, the bus takes about 45 minutes to Covadonga. You have roughly one hour here for a guided visit and some free time.

The Basilica of Covadonga is built from stone taken from the surrounding mountains. Its strong stonework and pointed form make it easy to spot from a distance. The setting gives the building much of its power: it sits against the mountains rather than in a town square, and the scale of the structure becomes clearer as you approach.

The nearby Santa Cueva de Nuestra Señora de Covadonga is the more unusual stop. The chapel is set inside a cave above a spring, waterfall, and small pool. The setting feels dramatic even if you are not visiting for religious reasons. The cave is also connected with the early history of Asturias, including the tombs associated with King Pelagius and Alfonso I.

Your guide explains why Covadonga matters to Asturias, including its religious and historic role. The fountain and waterfall below the cave are linked with local tradition, and the sanctuary is often described as a symbol of the region. This is one of the places where the guide adds real value, since the stone, water, and mountain setting make more sense when you know the story behind them.

One hour is enough to see the principal sights, but it is not generous. If you want a quiet visit inside the cave, a close look at the basilica, and time for photographs, keep an eye on the meeting time. Families with young children may find this stop and the later visit to Cangas de Onís a little rushed.

Cangas de Onís and the taste of Asturias

A 30-minute bus ride brings you to Cangas de Onís, where the scheduled visit lasts about two hours. This is the most relaxed town stop of the day, though it still has several pieces to fit in.

Cangas de Onís is tied closely to the story of Asturias and is known for its old stone buildings and position near the Sella River. The famous bridge is the town’s signature sight. It is commonly called the Roman Bridge, though the bridge visible today dates from the medieval period. It spans the mountain-fed Sella and makes an excellent photo stop.

You also see the bell tower of the Church of Santa María and have time to walk the cobbled streets. The route is not simply a photo circuit. You can use the free time to get a feel for the town, browse for local products, or sit down for lunch.

Food is not included, so plan to pay separately. This is your chance to try Asturian dishes and order cider served in a culín, the small pour traditionally enjoyed fresh. Cider is an important part of local food culture, and trying it here gives the lunch stop more local character than eating something familiar from a chain restaurant.

The two-hour stop should be enough for lunch and a short walk, but it may not satisfy you if you want to explore every street. Families with small children may prefer a slower pace. If food matters to you, ask the guide for a recommendation early in the visit so you do not spend the entire break deciding where to eat.

The coastal detour to Lastres

The return journey takes a scenic turn. Instead of following the most direct route back to Gijón, the bus runs along the Cantabrian coast, passing the beaches of La Espasa, La Isla, and La Griega.

You do not get a full beach visit at each one. Think of this section as a moving panorama from the bus, with a final stop in Lastres. It adds welcome variety after the mountains and gives you a sense of Asturias as a coastal region as well as an inland one.

Lastres is a steep, attractive village with views over the sea and toward the Picos de Europa. The stop at San Roque viewpoint lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a clear look at the village, coast, and mountains, but not enough for a detailed walk through the streets.

I like Lastres as the final stop because it changes the mood of the day. Covadonga is about mountain scenery and religious history. Cangas de Onís is about town life, food, and Asturias’ past. Lastres gives you a wide view and a clean ending before the bus returns to Gijón.

The drawback is simple: the stop is brief. If Lastres is your main interest, visit it separately for more time. On this tour, it works as a scenic viewpoint rather than a complete village visit.

What the $48 price really covers

At $48 per person, this is a strong value for someone without a rental car. Transportation alone would be awkward to arrange across the lakes, sanctuary, inland town, and coast. You also receive a live guide, an air-conditioned bus, the guided Covadonga visit, and walking tours in Cangas de Onís and Lastres.

The value comes from the route, not from long visits at any one site. You cover a lot of ground in 11 hours, with driving sections of about 1.5 hours, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, and another 45 minutes built into the day. You should be comfortable sitting on a bus for a significant part of the outing.

Lunch, drinks, and personal purchases are not listed as included. Budget separately for your meal in Cangas de Onís. The tour does include free time, so you are not required to eat as part of a fixed group meal.

The group benefits from the guide’s local context. Santiago, in particular, has explained subjects ranging from cider and cheese to regional history and even local connections to Chupa Chups. The quality of the English delivery can vary, but the guides are generally expected to keep time, answer questions, and manage the route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed.

Walking, weather, and what to pack

You should expect a moderate amount of walking at the lakes, around the basilica and cave, through Cangas de Onís, and at the Lastres viewpoint. This is not described as a demanding hike, but it is not a bus-only sightseeing ride either.

Bring:

• Water
• Comfortable clothing
• Shoes suitable for walking
• A passport or ID card
• A light extra layer for the mountain area

The passport or ID card is specifically listed as something to bring. Keep it accessible rather than packed at the bottom of your bag.

Weather matters most at the Covadonga Lakes. Snow and ice can close the road, in which case the itinerary changes to an alternative plan. You should not book this day expecting a guaranteed lake visit in every season.

The tour returns to Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña in Gijón. Since it is a full 11-hour program, avoid scheduling a tight dinner reservation or evening connection afterward.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Gijón, do not have a car, and want to see several major parts of Asturias in one day. It is also a good fit if you prefer a guide to handle mountain roads, parking, timing, and the route between inland and coastal sights.

Families can enjoy the range of stops, and children may especially like the waterfall, cave, bridge, and changing views from the bus. The long day and moderate walking require some planning, though. Young children may find the schedule tiring, and the time in Cangas de Onís may feel short for a relaxed family lunch.

This is less suitable if you want a slow village visit, a serious mountain hike, or a fully English-language tour. English speakers can get help, but much of the spoken information may be in Spanish. Ask questions when you need clarification, especially during the bus sections.

The tour is also a practical choice for first-time visitors to Asturias. You see the region’s main contrasts: high mountain lakes, a sanctuary tied to Asturian identity, a historic inland town, cider and local food, and the Cantabrian coast.

Should you book the Covadonga and Lastres trip?

Book it if you want maximum variety for $48 and accept a full day on the road. The strongest parts are the Covadonga Lakes, the cave and basilica, the scenic coastal return, and the fact that transport connects places that are difficult to combine independently.

Go in with realistic expectations. You will not have hours to explore Lastres, the lake stop depends on weather, and English commentary may not match the Spanish commentary word for word. If those limits work for you, this is an efficient and scenic introduction to Asturias, with enough free time to make the day feel like more than a string of bus stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña, also called Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Begoña, in Gijón.

How long does the day trip last?

The tour lasts 11 hours. Check the available dates for the exact starting time.

What languages are offered?

The tour is offered in Spanish with explanations in English. English support may be shorter than the main Spanish commentary, especially during bus rides.

How much walking is involved?

The tour includes a moderate amount of walking at the lakes, Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres. Comfortable clothes and suitable shoes are recommended.

What happens if snow or ice closes the Covadonga Lakes?

The tour provides an alternative plan when snow or ice prevents access to the lakes.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed as included. You have free time in Cangas de Onís to choose Asturian food and try local cider.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.