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

Covadonga packs a remarkable amount into one mountain stop: two glacial lakes, a stone basilica, a cave sanctuary above a waterfall, and the story of Asturias’ early kingdoms. This 11-hour trip from Gijón then adds Cangas de Onís and the seaside village of Lastres, giving you mountain views, local culture, and the coast in one long day.

I like the way the tour removes the need to drive mountain roads, and I like the route’s variety. The San Roque viewpoint in Lastres is a fine final stop, with views toward the sea and the Picos de Europa. The $48 price is also fair for an air-conditioned coach, a live guide, and several guided visits.

The main thing to consider is the bilingual format. Spanish often takes priority, with English explanations added by the guide, so English speakers may miss some commentary during the bus rides. The tour also includes a moderate amount of walking and can feel tightly timed, especially for families with young children.

Key points to know before booking

• Covadonga’s two lakes: Spend about two and a half hours around Lake Enol and Lake Ercina, with time for views and independent exploring.
• A mountain sanctuary: Visit the Basilica of Covadonga and the sacred cave of the Virgin, set above a waterfall and fountain.
• Cangas de Onís: Enjoy about two hours for Asturian food, cider, cobbled streets, and the famous bridge over the Sella River.
• A coastal return route: The coach passes La Espasa, La Isla, and La Griega beaches before reaching Lastres.
• Bilingual guiding: Tours are offered in Spanish with explanations in English. Guides including Santiago, Esmeralda, and others have been praised for helping English speakers.
• Weather matters: Snow and ice can close the road to the lakes. If that happens, the operator provides an alternative plan.

Why this day trip works from Gijón

Asturias is a region where distances look modest on a map but take time on the road. Mountain roads, bends, and changing weather make a self-drive day more demanding than it first appears. This outing handles the driving while you look out at the countryside.

The meeting point is Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña, also identified as Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Begoña. Arrive 15 minutes early and look for a guide with the Buendía Tours logo. The schedule is strict, so late arrivals may be left behind.

From Gijón, the first coach ride lasts about an hour and a half. That is a substantial stretch of the day, but it is part of the tradeoff for reaching the Picos de Europa, Covadonga, and the coast without changing buses or arranging a car.

Guides speak Spanish and English, though the balance can vary. On some departures, Santiago has translated carefully for the English-speaking part of the group and answered questions along the way. Esmeralda has also been singled out for keeping the group organized and offering useful help. Still, you should expect more Spanish during long driving sections, with English explanations often given at stops or in shorter form.

The Picos de Europa and the road to Covadonga

The tour heads into Los Picos de Europa, Spain’s first national park. Your guide explains why the area matters to Asturias, both for its natural setting and its place in regional history.

The first major stop is Mirador de Entrelagos, a viewpoint between the lakes. This is the place to pause before wandering farther, since it gives you a broad look at the mountain setting and the relationship between Lake Enol and Lake Ercina.

The road reaches the lakes after about 90 minutes of coach travel from the meeting point. The setting is the star here, not a long list of formal sights. You get open views, mountain air, and time to walk around rather than simply taking a photograph from the bus.

The total visit lasts about two and a half hours, including guiding and free time. That is one of the strongest parts of the schedule. You are not rushed through the lakes in 20 minutes, though the time still needs to cover two separate lakes, the viewpoint, and walking between areas.

Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water. The tour includes moderate walking, and the weather in the mountains can change quickly. The supplied information does not promise a specific walking trail, so think of this as scenic exploration around the accessible visitor areas rather than a hiking excursion.

Snow and ice can close access to the lakes on some days. This is not a minor possibility in winter conditions. If the road is closed, the tour follows an alternative plan, so check the weather and accept that the famous lake views are not guaranteed year-round.

Lake Enol and Lake Ercina

Lake Enol and Lake Ercina are glacial lakes, and their appeal comes from the contrast between quiet water and steep mountain surroundings. Lake Enol is the larger of the two, while Lake Ercina gives you another angle on the high country.

At Mirador de Entrelagos, you can get the broadest sense of the area before spending free time near the lakes. Bring a camera, but do not plan your entire visit around one perfect viewpoint. Clouds, snow, and light can alter the scene from one hour to the next.

This stop is especially useful if you are staying in Gijón without a car. Reaching the lakes independently takes more planning, and the mountain access can be affected by road conditions. The coach gives you a practical way to see the area without worrying about parking or navigation.

The limitation is that you are visiting on a group schedule. If you want a long mountain walk, a quiet picnic, or time to wait for ideal light, this tour will not offer much freedom. You get a well-planned taste of the area, not a full day in the park.

Covadonga’s basilica, cave, and waterfall

After the lakes, the coach takes about 45 minutes to Covadonga. You have around an hour here for a guided visit and free time.

The Basilica of Covadonga is built from stone taken from the surrounding mountains. Its strong masonry and high twin towers make it easy to spot from the surrounding area. The building has a sturdy, dramatic look that fits its mountain setting, and your guide explains the role Covadonga plays in Asturian history.

Nearby, the Santa Cueva de Nuestra Señora de Covadonga is a sacred cave dedicated to the Virgin of Covadonga. The sanctuary sits above a waterfall, fountain, and pool, creating one of the most unusual religious settings in northern Spain.

The cave is also tied to the story of Pelagius and Alfonso I, two early Asturian kings whose graves are associated with the site. Your guide can put the religious and political meaning into context, which makes the visit more than a quick architectural stop.

You will have time to see the basilica and sanctuary, but this is not a private or slow-paced visit. The hour needs to cover both places, plus the walk between them and any independent viewing. Visitors who want extended time inside the sanctuary may find the schedule short.

Cangas de Onís and the famous Sella bridge

The next coach ride lasts about 30 minutes and brings you to Cangas de Onís. The town receives roughly two hours, including a guided walk and free time.

Cangas de Onís is a good place to break up the mountain sightseeing. Its cobbled streets, church bell tower, and riverside setting give you a more lived-in view of Asturias. The most recognizable sight is the famous Roman Bridge, which spans the mountain-fed Sella River.

Despite its popular name, the bridge dates from the 13th century. It is an easy landmark to reach during the town walk, and the river below adds to the scene. You should have time to take photographs and wander beyond the main stop.

This is also the point where local food and cider become part of the day. You can choose from Asturian dishes and try a culín of cider, a small pour traditionally served with a lively gesture. Lunch is not listed as included, so budget separately for anything you eat or drink.

Two hours gives you more breathing room than the Covadonga stop. Families can use the free time for food and a short walk, although some parents may still find the overall day demanding. If you want a leisurely restaurant meal, keep an eye on the meeting time.

The Cantabrian coast and Lastres

The return journey takes a scenic detour along the Cantabrian coast. Rather than retracing the inland route, the coach passes the beaches of La Espasa, La Isla, and La Griega.

You may spend much of this section looking through the bus windows. It is a pleasant change after the mountains, but the itinerary describes it as a panoramic drive rather than a beach visit. Do not expect time to swim or walk on each beach.

The final stop is Lastres, reached after about 45 minutes on the coach. You get around 30 minutes for a guided visit and free time, including San Roque viewpoint.

Lastres is known as one of Spain’s beautiful villages, and the viewpoint explains why. From San Roque, you can look toward the sea, the village, and the Picos de Europa. It is a strong closing image because it links the two main settings of the trip: high mountains and the northern coast.

Thirty minutes is enough for the viewpoint and a few photographs, but not for a long walk through Lastres. The village streets can be steep and uneven, so take care and wear shoes with a good grip. The brief stop works best as a final panorama, not as a full town tour.

What the $48 price really covers

At $48 per person, this is good value if you want to combine several places that are awkward to reach without a car. The price includes the air-conditioned bus, a live guide, the Covadonga lakes visit, guided walks at the basilica and sanctuary, Cangas de Onís, Lastres, and San Roque viewpoint.

You are paying mainly for transport and access to a carefully arranged route. Food, cider, and personal purchases are not listed as included, so keep some money aside for lunch in Cangas de Onís.

An 11-hour day is long. That sounds obvious, but it matters when you add the early meeting, several coach rides, mountain walking, and stops with fixed departure times. The reward is a broad look at eastern Asturias in one outing. The cost is less time for lingering.

The 4.7 rating from 282 reviews reflects strong satisfaction with the overall day, especially the scenery, guides, and convenience. The praise is not universal on one point: English-speaking customers have sometimes found that much of the spoken information is in Spanish. If cultural explanation is a top priority, ask at the start how the guide will handle translation and stay close during the walking sections.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you are based in Gijón, do not have a car, and want to see more of Asturias than the city and nearby coast. It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who prefer a guide to explain the links between Covadonga, the Asturian kingdoms, the sanctuary, and local traditions.

Families can manage it, but the day is full. One parent noted that more time in Covadonga and Cangas de Onís would help families with small children. You should bring water, snacks, and patience for the long schedule.

This is less suitable for wheelchair users, as the activity is specifically not suitable for wheelchair access. It is also not suitable for pets.

English speakers should book with realistic expectations. You will receive English explanations, and guides such as Santiago have worked hard to translate and help visitors understand the stops. Yet the tour may still run mainly in Spanish, especially on the bus. A printed English information sheet would improve the experience, but one is not listed as included.

Practical details for a smoother day

Bring your passport or ID card, water, and comfortable clothing. Arrive 15 minutes before departure at Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña, and look for Buendía Tours staff.

Keep your day flexible around weather. Snow and ice can close the road to the lakes, in which case an alternative plan is used. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Gijón. Check availability for the exact starting time, since it can vary.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want maximum scenery and variety for $48, and you are comfortable with a long coach day and a Spanish-led bilingual format. Covadonga’s lakes and sanctuary are the main reasons to go, while Cangas de Onís adds food and local character and Lastres supplies the final coastal view.

Skip it if you want a slow mountain walk, a long lunch, or detailed English commentary throughout every bus ride. For most visitors without a car, though, this is an efficient and fairly priced way to reach some of Asturias’ most memorable places in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Begoña, also called Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Begoña, in Gijón.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Gijón.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The guide cannot wait for latecomers because the itinerary follows a strict schedule.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in Spanish and English. English explanations are provided, but the amount of English commentary can vary, and some bus commentary may be mainly in Spanish.

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts 11 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided by air-conditioned bus.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Covadonga lakes, Lake Enol, Lake Ercina, the Basilica of Covadonga, the sacred cave of the Virgin of Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Lastres, and San Roque viewpoint.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not listed as included. You can choose Asturian dishes and cider in Cangas de Onís, but you pay separately.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, water, and comfortable clothes. The tour includes a moderate amount of walking.

What happens if snow or ice closes the lakes?

If access to the lakes is closed because of snow or ice, the tour follows an alternative plan.