Cangas de Onís

A picturesque town famous for its iconic medieval bridge and role as the historic first capital of Spain. It serves as the main gateway to the Picos de Europa mountains.

Things to do

• Cross the Roman Bridge — Walk over the iconic medieval hump-backed bridge with a replica Victory Cross hanging above the Sella river, the town's most photographed landmark.
• Visit Santa Cruz Chapel — See this small church built over a prehistoric dolmen, whose stone chamber can still be viewed beneath the altar.
• Day trip to Covadonga — Visit the pink neo-Romanesque Basilica and the Holy Cave shrine that marks the birthplace of the Reconquista.
• Hike or drive to Lagos de Covadonga — Explore the glacial lakes of Enol and Ercina high in the Picos de Europa, reachable by a scenic mountain road above Covadonga.
• Walk the Cares Gorge trail — Start the famous Ruta del Cares hike from nearby Poncebos through dramatic limestone gorges carved by the Cares river.
• Browse the Sunday market — Join locals at the weekly open-air market in the town centre selling Asturian cheeses, honey, and crafts.
• Canoe or raft the Sella River — Paddle a stretch of the Sella, the same river used for Spain's famous international canoe descent each August.

Food to try

• Fabada asturiana — A hearty bean stew with chorizo, morcilla, and pork, the region's signature comfort dish.
• Cachopo — Two breaded veal or pork fillets stuffed with ham and cheese, deep-fried and typically enormous.
• Queso Cabrales — A pungent blue cheese aged in mountain caves nearby, often served with cider or honey.
• Sidra natural — Asturian cider poured from a height into the glass in the traditional escanciado style found in local sidrerías.
• Arroz con leche asturiano — A creamy rice pudding dessert flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon, sometimes caramelized on top.
• Carne asturiana con queso Cabrales — Grilled local beef topped with a rich Cabrales cheese sauce, a hearty mountain classic.

Local customs & good to know

• Learn the cider pour — Cider is poured from shoulder height into a glass by the server to aerate it, and only a small amount is drunk per pour.
• Time your visit for El Carmen festivities — Mid-July brings the Fiestas de El Carmen with parades, music, and traditional Asturian dress.
• Catch the Descenso Internacional del Sella — Held the first Saturday of August, this canoe race and river festival draws huge crowds along the Sella.
• Dress respectfully at Covadonga — As a major pilgrimage and religious site, modest attire is appreciated when visiting the Basilica and Holy Cave.

Nearby

• Covadonga — 7 km
• Lakes of Covadonga — 15 km
• Picos de Europa (León side) (Castile and León) — 30 km
• Picos de Europa (Cantabria) — 30 km