Hotels in Cangas de Onís

Cangas de Onís was the first capital of the medieval Kingdom of Asturias, and its stone Roman bridge, with a Victory Cross dangling above the Sella river, is the postcard image of the whole region. The town itself is small and functional, more gateway than destination, existing largely to feed visitors into the Picos de Europa: the Covadonga sanctuary and its glacial lakes, the Cares Gorge trailheads, and canoeing trips down the Sella that draw crowds every August.

Be honest: outside high summer and the Sella canoe festival it can feel sleepy, and the architecture beyond the bridge and old quarter is unremarkable, mostly modern infill. What it does well is logistics, with easy access to hiking, caving and rural Asturian food, cider houses included. With only eight hotels listed here, choice is limited, so book early for summer. Stay near the old bridge and river for the most atmosphere and shortest walk to restaurants.