Lakes of Covadonga tour from Gijón: Basilica & coastal views

Mirador de Entrelagos tour: alpine lake views and La Santina cave descent

This full-day tour from Gijón takes you into the Picos de Europa National Park to see the Lakes of Covadonga, the Basilica of Covadonga, and the Cave of the Virgin, with stops in the villages of Cangas de Onís and Lastres. Your guide speaks English or Spanish (you choose at checkout), and the tour includes the vehicle, entry tickets to the lakes, and a lunch break in Cangas de Onís. The day runs 11 hours from early morning pickup.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour to Lakes and Coastal Villages

• Pick up at meeting point
• Visit Mirador de Entrelagos viewpoint
• See Lakes Enol and Ercina
• Visit Basilica of Covadonga
• Explore Cave of the Virgin of Covadonga
• Lunch and leisure in Cangas de Onís
• Panoramic bus views of La Espasa, La Isla, La Griega beaches
• Stop and enjoy Lastres village and viewpoint

The experience

How do you reach the Lakes of Covadonga without a car? The tour picks you up early in Gijón and drives you straight into the Picos de Europa National Park: Spain's first national park, now a biosphere reserve. Your guide will take you to the Mirador de Entrelagos viewpoint, where you stand between Lake Ercina and Lake Enol and can see both at once. The Basilica of Santa María la Mayor de Covadonga comes next: a massive stone structure where you'll hear about La Campanona, a bell that weighs 5,000 kilos, and the crypt beneath it. Just outside is the Cave of the Virgin of Covadonga, where the carving of La Santina sits inside the rock.

After the lakes and the Basilica, you stop in Cangas de Onís for lunch and time on your own. The town sits on the Río Sella, and its most famous landmark is the bridge with the Victoria Cross hanging from its arch: a symbol of the council. The church tower rises 33 meters with 6 bells spread across 3 floors. You can eat typical Asturian dishes (a cachopín with fries is local) or wander the streets at your own pace. Then the bus takes you along the Asturian coast with panoramic views of three beaches (La Espasa, La Isla, and La Griega) before stopping in Lastres, one of Spain's most beautiful villages. A viewpoint there overlooks the town and the sea.

The tour runs 11 hours total, starting with early-morning pickup so you arrive at the lakes while the light is still good. Your guide speaks either English or Spanish depending on which option you book at checkout. The air-conditioned vehicle, entry tickets to the Lakes of Covadonga, and guided stops at the Sanctuary, Cangas de Onís, and Lastres are all included. You arrange your own lunch in Cangas de Onís.

What’s included

• Guided tour of the Sanctuary of Covadonga and the Cave of the Virgin.
• visit to the Lakes of Covadonga with entry ticket included.
• guided stop in Cangas de Onís with leisure time.
• guided tour of Lastres village and its viewpoint.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full 11 hours.
• live guide in English or Spanish, depending on which tour you select at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour conducted in Spanish08:30

Tour conducted in English08:30

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 51

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buendía

Is this one for you?Choose the English-language option if your group speaks English, or the Spanish-language tour if you prefer to hear the stories and history in Spanish. Both depart at the same time and follow the same route through the park and villages. The early start is what gets you to the lakes before the crowds arrive and gives you a full day to see the Basilica, the cave, the coast, and Lastres without rushing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What are the Lakes of Covadonga actually like when you get there?

The Lakes of Covadonga are two alpine lakes (Ercina and Enol) sitting in a mountain valley inside the Picos de Europa National Park. You see them from the Mirador de Entrelagos viewpoint, where the guide points out both lakes at once. Entry to the lakes area is included in the tour price.

Can I choose between English and Spanish on the same tour?

Yes. You pick either an English-language tour or a Spanish-language tour when you book, and your guide will speak that language throughout the day. Both options follow the same route and stops.

Is there time to eat lunch, or does the guide rush you through Cangas de Onís?

Cangas de Onís is a lunch stop where you have leisure time to eat and explore on your own. The tour does not include a meal, so you choose a restaurant or café in town and pay separately. This gives you a real break in the middle of the day rather than eating on the bus.

What is the Cave of the Virgin, and do you go inside it?

The Cave of the Virgin of Covadonga is a natural cave where the carving of La Santina, a religious figure, is located in the rock. Your guide will show you the cave as part of the stop at the Basilica of Covadonga.

How early do you have to wake up for the pickup in Gijón?

The tour begins with an early-morning pickup at your meeting point in Gijón so the group can arrive at the Lakes of Covadonga as soon as possible and make the most of daylight. The exact pickup time is confirmed when you book.