Covadonga is both a pilgrimage site and one of the most visited spots in the Picos de Europa. The complex centres on the Basílica de Santa María la Real, a dramatic neo-Romanesque church built in the late 19th century in pale stone against a forested hillside. Beside it, the Santa Cueva (Holy Cave) is built into the cliff face, sheltering a venerated statue of the Virgin and the tombs of the Asturian kings, including Pelayo himself.
The village of Covadonga is tiny — fewer than 100 permanent residents — but receives enormous numbers of visitors, particularly on pilgrimage days in September. The setting is genuinely beautiful: a narrow valley enclosed by forested limestone ridges, with the church towers and the cave opening catching the morning light. From Covadonga, the road continues 8 km uphill to the Lagos de Covadonga, two glacial lakes at 1,100 metres that are the starting point for several high-altitude walks. In summer, access to the lakes by private car is restricted and shuttles run from a car park below.