Covadonga

A historic and spiritual site featuring a stunning basilica and a sacred cave shrine linked to the origins of the Reconquista. It's a place of deep national significance surrounded by mountain scenery.

Things to do

• Visit the Santa Cueva — A sacred cave shrine built into the mountainside houses the statue of the Virgin of Covadonga and the tomb of King Pelayo, revered as the birthplace of the Reconquista.
• Explore the Basilica de Santa María la Real — This striking neo-Romanesque church built from pink limestone overlooks the sanctuary and offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.
• Drive up to Lagos de Covadonga — The glacial lakes of Enol and Ercina sit high in the Picos de Europa National Park and are reached via a dramatic mountain road.
• Stop at Mirador de la Reina — This roadside viewpoint on the way to the lakes offers one of the best panoramic photo opportunities of the valley and peaks.
• Toss a coin in the Fuente de los Siete Caños — According to local legend, drinking from one of the seven spouts of this fountain near the cave will lead to marriage within a year.
• Visit the Museo de Covadonga — A small museum near the basilica displays religious artifacts, royal gifts, and treasures tied to the sanctuary's long history.
• Hike a trail in Picos de Europa — Numerous marked trails begin near the lakes, ranging from gentle walks to more demanding routes into the high mountains.

Food to try

• Fabada Asturiana — A rich bean stew with chorizo, morcilla, and pork, considered the flagship dish of Asturian cuisine and found in restaurants near the sanctuary.
• Queso de Cabrales — A pungent blue cheese from the nearby Picos de Europa, often served with cider or honey as a regional specialty.
• Sidra Asturiana — Local dry cider poured from height in the traditional 'escanciado' style to aerate it before drinking.
• Carne a la Asturiana con Cabrales — Grilled beef topped with a creamy Cabrales cheese sauce, a hearty option found in mountain village eateries.
• Arroz con Leche — A creamy Asturian rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and lemon, a popular dessert after a day of sightseeing.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress respectfully for the basilica and cave — As an active pilgrimage and religious site, modest clothing is appreciated when entering the church and shrine.
• Arrive early for the lakes road — Access to Lagos de Covadonga is often restricted to shuttle buses in peak season due to narrow roads and heavy visitor traffic.
• Learn the cider-pouring custom — Watching or trying the 'escanciado' pour, done with the bottle held high, is a point of local pride in Asturian cider culture.
• Understand the site's national symbolism — Covadonga is considered the symbolic starting point of Christian Spain's reconquest, giving the sanctuary deep historical and patriotic weight for visitors.