Day trips from Llanes
The Lakes, Covadonga, Cangas, fishing villages, wild coastline, family activities and useful alternatives when the weather changes during your stay.
From Llanes Home, you can use Llanes as a convenient base for alternating half-day outings, coastal routes and mountain trips without turning the holiday into a race.
First decide what kind of day you want
The Lakes of Covadonga, the Sanctuary of Covadonga and Cangas de Onís are different experiences. They can be combined, but understanding what each stop offers will help you avoid overloading the day.
Resumen útil
A quick reference to help you choose without overloading the day. Journey times are approximate from Llanes Home and may vary with traffic, season and the exact parking location.
| Day trip | Better for | How to plan it | Quick tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes of Covadonga | Mountain scenery, wide views and a memorable full-day trip | Full day or main outing · approximately 1 hr 15–1 hr 30 to the access area | Choose the Lakes on a clear day. Mountain weather changes quickly, so check the forecast before leaving. |
| Sanctuary of Covadonga | History, a classic visit and a peaceful stop | A leisurely half-day or combined with Lagos · 1 h – 1 h 15 minutes by car, approximately | Do not treat it as a quick stop: it is much more enjoyable when you allow extra time. |
| Cangas de Onís | Town walk, lunch and the final stop on an inland route | Route stop or relaxed half-day · approximately 55–65 minutes by car | Use it as a stop for lunch or a walk after Covadonga, without turning the day into a race. |
| Ribadesella | Coast, relaxed walk and a seaside town | Half-day or full afternoon · 25–30 minutes by car, approximately | It works very well for half a day, especially when you do not want to drive far. |
| Pría blowholes | Cliffs, powerful waves and photography | Short stop or combined half-day · approximately 20–25 minutes by car | Stay well back from cliff edges and cracks. Enjoy the views safely and follow warning signs. |
| MUJA · Jurassic Museum of Asturias | Families, children and overcast days | Half-day · approximately 40–45 minutes by car | If the weather is grey, this is one of the best options to keep in reserve. |
| Sella River canoe descent | Couples, friends and active families | A leisurely half-day · 35–45 minutes by car, approximately to the activity meeting point | Do not improvise in August: book ahead, confirm the meeting point and bring suitable clothing. |
| The Soplao Caves | Rainy-day option, an unusual visit and underground scenery | A leisurely half-day · 55–70 minutes by car, approximately | Check opening times before setting off; the visit is much easier with advance booking. |
| Comillas | Architecture, a town walk and a change of atmosphere | A leisurely half-day or combined with San Vicente · 55–65 minutes by car, approximately | Do not rush it: Comillas is best enjoyed on foot. |
| San Vicente de la Barquera | Fishing village, estuary, walk and views | Half-day or combined trip with Comillas · 40–50 minutes by car, approximately | If time is short, San Vicente works well on its own. With more time, combine it with Comillas. |
| Lastres | Viewpoints, fishing village and photos | A leisurely half-day · 45–55 minutes by car, approximately | Take your time going uphill and look for a viewpoint. Part of Lastres’s charm is seeing the village from different heights. |
Better for: Mountain scenery, wide views and a memorable full-day trip
How to plan it: Full day or main outing · approximately 1 hr 15–1 hr 30 to the access area
Tip: Choose the Lakes on a clear day. Mountain weather changes quickly, so check the forecast before leaving.
Better for: History, a classic visit and a peaceful stop
How to plan it: A leisurely half-day or combined with Lagos · 1 h – 1 h 15 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: Do not treat it as a quick stop: it is much more enjoyable when you allow extra time.
Better for: Town walk, lunch and the final stop on an inland route
How to plan it: Route stop or relaxed half-day · approximately 55–65 minutes by car
Tip: Use it as a stop for lunch or a walk after Covadonga, without turning the day into a race.
Better for: Coast, relaxed walk and a seaside town
How to plan it: Half-day or full afternoon · 25–30 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: It works very well for half a day, especially when you do not want to drive far.
Better for: Cliffs, powerful waves and photography
How to plan it: Short stop or combined half-day · approximately 20–25 minutes by car
Tip: Stay well back from cliff edges and cracks. Enjoy the views safely and follow warning signs.
Better for: Families, children and overcast days
How to plan it: Half-day · approximately 40–45 minutes by car
Tip: If the weather is grey, this is one of the best options to keep in reserve.
Better for: Couples, friends and active families
How to plan it: A leisurely half-day · 35–45 minutes by car, approximately to the activity meeting point
Tip: Do not improvise in August: book ahead, confirm the meeting point and bring suitable clothing.
Better for: Rainy-day option, an unusual visit and underground scenery
How to plan it: A leisurely half-day · 55–70 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: Check opening times before setting off; the visit is much easier with advance booking.
Better for: Architecture, a town walk and a change of atmosphere
How to plan it: A leisurely half-day or combined with San Vicente · 55–65 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: Do not rush it: Comillas is best enjoyed on foot.
Better for: Fishing village, estuary, walk and views
How to plan it: Half-day or combined trip with Comillas · 40–50 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: If time is short, San Vicente works well on its own. With more time, combine it with Comillas.
Better for: Viewpoints, fishing village and photos
How to plan it: A leisurely half-day · 45–55 minutes by car, approximately
Tip: Take your time going uphill and look for a viewpoint. Part of Lastres’s charm is seeing the village from different heights.
Day trips in detail
Each day trip has a different pace. Here you will find context, approximate journey times, the best circumstances for visiting and how to plan it from Llanes Home.
Lakes of CovadongaThe Lakes of Covadonga are one of the most impressive outings from Llanes for mountain landscapes, wide views and the scenery of inland Asturias.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, plan the Lakes as the main trip of the day. Set off early, check access arrangements and avoid adding too many stops.
Sanctuary of CovadongaCovadonga has a different character from the Lakes: it is a more cultural, spiritual and traditional visit, centred on the basilica and its mountain setting.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it combines well with the Lakes when you set off early, or works as a more relaxed outing if you prefer not to go up to the Lakes.
Cangas de OnísCangas de Onís is a convenient stop for a walk, lunch or the end of an inland route. Its bridge and lively atmosphere make it easy to include in a day trip.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it makes sense as a complement to Covadonga or the Lakes rather than the only destination when your stay is short.
RibadesellaRibadesella is an easy, rewarding outing with a seafront walk, maritime atmosphere, beach and plenty of places for a drink overlooking the sea.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it is one of the easiest afternoon outings. It also combines well with the Tito Bustillo caves when opening times are planned in advance.
Pría blowholesThe Pría blowholes are one of the most spectacular sights near Llanes when the sea is rough. This is not a beach, but a cliffside landscape that requires care.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it is an ideal short outing for seeing a wild coastline without using the whole day. Combine it with Ribadesella or another nearby stop.
MUJAMUJA is an excellent family-friendly option, with dinosaurs, museum exhibitions and coastal views. It is particularly useful when beach weather is poor.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it works very well as a half-day plan, especially for families or when you want to alternate the coast with an indoor activity.
Sella River canoe descentThe Sella River canoe descent is a classic choice when you want to swap the beach for the river. It is active, fun and very popular in high season.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it works as a special full-day activity during a longer stay. Book ahead in summer.
The Soplao CavesEl Soplao Cave is a striking, sheltered attraction, ideal when you want something different or the weather is unsuitable for the beach.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it is a slightly longer outing but a useful rainy-day option or a change for returning visitors.
ComillasComillas offers a change of pace with architecture, a town walk and the distinctive Capricho de Gaudí.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it combines particularly well with San Vicente de la Barquera on a relaxed route along the nearby Cantabrian coast.
San Vicente de la BarqueraSan Vicente de la Barquera is a rewarding coastal day trip, with an estuary, fishing boats, an old town and mountain views on clear days.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it is within reasonable driving distance and can be an afternoon outing or part of a route with Comillas.
LastresLastres is a picturesque fishing village, with stepped streets, sweeping viewpoints and a distinctly Asturian coastal atmosphere.
From Llanes Home: From Llanes Home, it is a good day trip for visitors who have already explored nearby places and want to travel a little farther without going too far.
Recommended routes
Treating the stops separately helps with planning: the Lakes can be the main event, Covadonga a classic visit and Cangas a convenient place for lunch or a walk.
Set off early, check access arrangements and include Cangas only if time allows.
More relaxed than going up to the Lakes and easier to adapt if the weather changes.
Ideal when you do not want to drive far and prefer an early return to Llanes.
A good plan when the sea is rough and you want to combine cliffs with a coastal town.
Two useful alternatives when the weather is unsuitable for the beach.
A good option for a change of scenery and a complete day trip without improvising.
Practical tips
Small decisions that help you enjoy the trip more and improvise less, especially in high season or changeable weather.
Convenient base
Staying in Llanes lets you alternate relaxing days in town with outings to the coast, mountains and nearby villages. Choose one main plan per day according to the weather, your energy and your companions.
Frequently asked questions
The most recommended are Lakes of Covadonga, Sanctuary of Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Ribadesella, Pría blowholes, MUJA, Sella River canoe descent, The Soplao Caves, Comillas, San Vicente de la Barquera and Lastres.
Yes. The Lakes are the mountain plan, Covadonga is the classic cultural visit, and Cangas de Onís works best as a lunch or walking stop on an inland route.
By car you can comfortably reach Ribadesella, the Pría blowholes, San Vicente, Comillas, Lastres, Cangas de Onís, Covadonga or the Lakes, depending on your available time and preferred plan.
MUJA works very well with children. Ribadesella, Cangas de Onís and the Sella River canoe descent are also good choices when ages and conditions are suitable.
MUJA and El Soplao Cave are good rainy-day choices. You can also plan a relaxed town visit to Comillas, Ribadesella or Cangas de Onís.
They are not nearby, but they are a reasonable full-day trip from Llanes when you set off early and check access arrangements.
Yes, especially for San Vicente de la Barquera and Comillas. They are relatively close and offer an appealing change of scenery.
