Top things to do

Founded in 1918 as one of Spain's first two national parks, the 646-square-kilometre Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa encompasses some of Europe's most riveting mountain scenery. The park's many natural wonder…

In less than four minutes, this spine-tingling cable car whisks visitors 753m up to the top of the sheer southern wall of the Picos' central massif (1823m), from where hikers and climbers can venture further in. Cab…

Hidden in gorgeous countryside north of Arriondas is this double-Michelin-starred restaurant in Asturian chef Nacho Manzano's childhood home. Even the 'short' menús here are 12-course extravaganzas, showcasing local…

One of the region's outstanding restaurants, the flower-fringed Hotel del Oso has been pleasing the public with its fantastic cocido montañés (stewed white beans, cabbage, potato, chorizo, black pudding and sometime…

This good-value, stone-and-brick-walled family-run eatery wins with both its traditional Asturian dishes – such as fabada (bean, meat and sausage stew), tortos de maíz (maize cakes) and local cheese platters – as we…

Christian refugees, fleeing from Muslim-occupied Spain to Liébana in the 8th century, brought with them the Lígnum Crucis, purportedly the single biggest chunk of Christ’s cross and featuring the hole made by the na…

Nine kilometres northeast of Potes, the fascinating Iglesia de Santa María de Lebeña dates back to the 9th or 10th century. The horseshoe arches are a telltale sign of its Mozarabic style – rare this far north in Sp…

Putting a gourmet spin on traditional Asturian cooking, this Michelin-starred favourite is Arriondas' most original dining spot. If you don't fancy the highly creative and extensive tasting menús (€60 to €89), go fo…

In this cave, now with a chapel installed, the Virgin supposedly appeared to Pelayo's warriors before their AD 722 victory over the Muslims. Weekends and summers see long queues of the faithful and curious lining up…

For super-generous helpings of fresh, high-quality local food, head upstairs to this warm, wood-beamed loft-like space with Picos photos and a tiny trickling fountain. Carnivores should try the Liébana speciality co…