Cangas de Onís Holidays: Dolmen, Cave and Day Trips
Province of Asturias · Asturias · Spain · 6,623 residents
Cangas de Onís is a small inland town in Asturias, home to around 6,600 people and sitting just 60 metres above sea level. It is the kind of place where the sights come to you: the Dolmen de Santa Cruz lies a couple of hundred metres from the centre, and Los Azules cave, linked to the Azilian culture, is under a mile away. A family zoo, La Grandera, is a short drive out. Asturias Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about 48 miles off, and the coast at Ribadesella is only 8 miles north. Expect mild summers peaking around 24°C and a green, rain-fed landscape for much of the year.
Why go
- The Dolmen de Santa Cruz sits barely 200 metres from the town centre, an easy first stop.
- Los Azules cave, tied to the Azilian culture, is under a mile from town.
- Asturias Airport has direct UK flights and is roughly 70 minutes away by car.
Top sights in Cangas de Onís
Dolmen, cave and a family zoo
The most notable sight is the Dolmen de Santa Cruz, an ancient burial monument presented as a museum and found just 0.2 km from the centre, so you can reach it on foot in a few minutes. It suits a cultural morning and works well with children too.
Los Azules cave is about half a mile from town and is associated with the Azilian culture, making it a natural pairing with the dolmen for anyone curious about the area's deep past. For younger travellers, the zoológico La Grandera lies around 2.4 miles out and makes an easy family outing.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, with options shown in the booking cards below.
1museum
Los Azules cave
cave · In the centre
zoológico La Grandera
zoo · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Cangas de Onís
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Cangas de Onís can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Cangas de Onís
Staying in a small inland town
Cangas de Onís is inland rather than on the coast, and with a population of around 6,600 it feels like a compact, quiet base rather than a resort. Staying in or near the centre puts the dolmen and Los Azules cave within walking distance, while the zoo needs a short drive.
If you want sea views, the coastal towns of Ribadesella and Llanes are close by, and some travellers split a fortnight between the two. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options in and around town.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Cangas de Onís and the villages around it is a hire car from Asturias (OVD), about 1 h 8 min away.
Best time to visit Cangas de Onís
When the weather works best
- 14°CJan186 mm
- 14°CFeb108 mm
- 17°CMar93 mm
- 17°CApr74 mm
- 19°CMay106 mm
- 22°CJun112 mm
- 23°CJul69 mm
- 24°CAug78 mm
- 23°CSept123 mm
- 22°COct157 mm
- 18°CNov134 mm
- 14°CDec114 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The climate here is mild and wet. Summer is the warmest stretch, with highs of 22°C in June, 23°C in July and September, and a peak of 24°C in August. July is also the driest month, with around 69 mm of rain, which makes July and August the most comfortable period for walking and sightseeing.
Winter is cool rather than cold, with highs of 14°C from December to February and lows around 5°C. January is the wettest month at roughly 186 mm, and October and November are also damp. Rain is frequent all year, with between 11 and 19 rainy days a month, May being the most showery for number of wet days.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 5°C | 186 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 5°C | 108 mm | 7 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 7°C | 93 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 17°C | 9°C | 74 mm | 9 h |
| May | 19°C | 11°C | 106 mm | 10 h |
| Jun | 22°C | 15°C | 112 mm | 10 h |
| Jul | 23°C | 16°C | 69 mm | 11 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 17°C | 78 mm | 9 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 14°C | 123 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 13°C | 157 mm | 7 h |
| Nov | 18°C | 10°C | 134 mm | 6 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 6°C | 114 mm | 6 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, ferries and the drive
Asturias Airport (OVD) is the closest, about 48 miles away and roughly 68 minutes by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander (SDR) is about 66 miles and around an hour and a half's drive, and Bilbao (BIO) is roughly 112 miles, a drive of around 2 hours 40 minutes. Both also have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Car hire from any of them is the simplest way to arrive.
If you prefer to bring your own car, Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Plymouth in about 20 hours and from Portsmouth in roughly 24 to 32 hours. Santander port is about 66 miles from town. Driving all the way from Calais takes around 14 and a half hours.
By air
- Asturias (OVD)48 miles, about 1 h 8 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Santander (SDR)66 miles, about 1 h 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Bilbao (BIO)112 miles, about 2 h 38 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 14 h 23 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Santander (66 miles).
Cangas de Onís is good for
Around Cangas de Onís
Coast, mountains and neighbouring towns
Ribadesella and Amieva are both only 8 miles away, offering a quick contrast between the coast and the quieter inland. Colunga lies about 12 miles off, and Posada around 14 miles.
Further out, Posada de Valdeón, across the border in Castile and León, is about 17 miles away, while the larger coastal town of Llanes is around 19 miles. Potes in Cantabria is roughly 29 miles, and the city of Gijón, with over 270,000 residents, is about 30 miles away for a day of urban life.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Cangas de Onís?
Asturias Airport (OVD) is the nearest, around 48 miles away and about 68 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Santander and Bilbao are alternatives, roughly 94 and 158 minutes' drive respectively, and both also have direct UK flights.
Can I take a ferry from the UK to reach Cangas de Onís?
Yes. Brittany Ferries sails to Santander from Plymouth in about 20 hours and from Portsmouth in roughly 24 to 32 hours. From Santander port, Cangas de Onís is about 66 miles away, making it a reasonable drive on arrival.
What is the weather like in Cangas de Onís in summer?
Summers are mild rather than hot. Highs reach about 22°C in June, 23°C in July and 24°C in August. July is the driest month at around 69 mm of rain, though showers remain common, with roughly 15 rainy days.
Is Cangas de Onís on the coast?
No, it is an inland town at about 60 metres above sea level. The coast is close, though: Ribadesella is roughly 8 miles away and Llanes about 19 miles, so sea days are easy to add to a stay.
Is Cangas de Onís good for families?
It works well for families. The Dolmen de Santa Cruz and Los Azules cave are both within a mile of the centre, and the zoológico La Grandera is about 2.4 miles out, giving children a mix of history and animals.