Great ways to explore all the facets of Asturias

This must be the most famous route in Asturias, part of the spectacular Picos de Europa National Park. You can start in the town of Cangas de Onís with a look at its pretty “Roman” bridge. Next, visit the Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga, which rises like a dream in the middle of the valley, and the Santa Cueva (about a 10-kilometre drive), a spectacular natural cave holding the image of the Virgin of Covadonga (known affectionately as “la Santina”). This is just a foretaste of what you’ll find at the end of a beautiful winding mountain road: the stunning Covadonga lakes, originally formed by glaciers at an altitude of more than 1000 metres (in high season and in summer, access is by bus). Nearby the viewing points of La Reina and Ordiales offer panoramic views of the whole area.

Traditional mining is part of the regional identity of Asturias, with plenty of sites preserved from historical periods and the recent past, honouring the hard work of generations of miners. There are several ways to get an idea of the authentic mining experience. For example, you can visit the Mining Museum in Arnao, which was the first underwater coal mine in Spain. You can also see the purpose-built village of Bustiello to see how miners lived.The most adventurous can spend a day in Pozo Sotón (in the area of San Martín del Rey Aurelio), the only coal mine in Europe to offer guided tours of the tunnels. It’s a fascinating experience to venture into the depths of the earth, as far down as 500 metres. Very close to Pozo Sotón, there are also the Museum of Mining and Industry (MUMI) and the Valle de Samuño Mining Ecomuseum, in a beautiful setting of valleys and mountains.

This art and architecture can only be found in Asturias, and dates back as early as the 9th century. Specifically, some of the earliest of these beautiful heritage buildings were constructed during the reign of Ramiro I of Asturias. Six of them are UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Cámara Santa in Oviedo Cathedral; the churches of San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Cristina de Lena, Santa María del Naranco and San Julián de los Prados; and the work of hydraulic engineering known as La Foncalada. You’ll find them all in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, and the surrounding area. Also, on the slopes of the lovely and tranquil Mount Naranco, the site of several of these churches, you can also see the Asturian Pre-Romanesque visitors’ centre. Would you like to take this trip through time?

If you’re travelling with children you’ll love Asturias. First, you can fire their imaginations with a visit to the Jurassic Museum, with over 20 life-size replica dinosaurs (in Colunga) or the Prehistory Park (in Teverga). Second, take them to the Gijón Aquarium, with over 4000 creatures from 400 species. Third: how about an outdoor adventure? For example, the beautiful Bear Trail (Senda del Oso) for walkers and cyclists starts in Santo Adriano. In the area around Fuentes del Narcea there are guides to help you track the local bears. Don’t forget that Asturias is full of amazing natural spaces to explore with kids, like the Natural Parks of Somiedo, Ubiñas-La Mesa, or Redes, and viewing points everyone will love, such as Mirador del Fitu (Caravia). It’s a great way to experience nature.

There is so much to see in Asturias that many travellers never notice its interesting Roman heritage, but the Roman Empire was present here for five centuries, not least to exploit its gold mines. If you want to explore this period, you might like to follow the Gold Route, or visit the Asturias Gold Museum in Tineo.You can also visit Roman camps like the spectacular Castro de Coaña (5th century BCE), visit the Roman baths at Campo Valdés and the Roman villa of Veranes in Gijón, or the Via Carisa visitors’ centre in Aller to learn about this Roman road which linked Asturias to the rest of the Empire.