Covadonga, Spain🚌📌

Covadonga in the Asturias region is a small town that combines historical culture with natural scenery. It is considered a sacred place for the Spanish people because it is the origin of the Reconquista movement in Spain. At the same time, it serves as the entrance to the Covadonga Lake Reserve within the Picos de Europa National Park, offering stunning views. 🚌 Transportation: The town of Covadonga can be reached by ALSA bus from nearby Cangas de Onís, and Cangas de Onís can also be reached by ALSA bus from places like Oviedo. The Covadonga Lake Reserve is located in the mountains, and during the peak season, private cars are not allowed in. Only public transportation is available. The specific timetable and ticket prices can be found on the ALSA official website, but it's not easy to find directly. Searching "Lakes of Covadonga Alsa" on Google will be easier. 📌 Attractions: Covadonga Town: The main attraction is the area around the Basilica of Covadonga. At the entrance of the basilica, you can see the "Holy Cave" - a cave on a cliff with a small church inside, where the Virgin of Covadonga is enshrined, which is the main part of the pilgrimage site. The Royal Basilica of Santa María outside the cave is also beautiful, complementing the mountains behind it. Covadonga Lake: Take the bus to the mountain parking lot to start a light hike. You can first head to the visitor center, which houses a museum. The museum uses simulated ecosystem scenes to immerse visitors in the knowledge of the national park, which is quite interesting. North of the visitor center is the Mirador del Principe de Asturias, a viewing platform that overlooks the valley below the cliffs, offering a spectacular view. I also want to mention that the weather in the mountains is unpredictable. Within two hours, I was drenched by heavy rain once and hit by hailstones the size of marbles twice. It was quite a miserable experience. Cangas de Onís: An ancient city, historically the first capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, but with few attractions. The only sight worth seeing is the medieval Roman stone bridge over the river. The bridge is quaint, and the view from it is also nice. #Spain #SpainTravel #Asturias #CovadongaLake #CangasdeOnis