ASTURIAS AND THE PICOS DE EUROPA SPAIN SEPTEMBER 2025

ASTURIAS  AND THE PICOS DE EUROPA PHOTO ADVENTURE

Destination Summary

The Asturias and the Picos de Europa photo adventure begins and ends in Santander, the main city in Cantabria on Spain’s less visited northern coast.

Once together we’ll travel west along some beautiful stretches of coastline checking out a couple of Cantabrian locations as a warm up.   We’ll then cross into the ancient kingdom of Asturias, the only part of Spain not conquered by the Moors.

Vivid lush greens fill the strip of coastline between the mountains and the sea, this is where it takes its name from,  Costa Verde (the green  coast).  But it all changes where the land meets the sea with an endless chain of vivid blue and turquoise bays  dotted with mostly empty beaches that just seem to go on forever. Each hand picked beach is full of character,  with features like jagged pinnacles, arches and chasms. Great to explore, wander and of course photograph.

Just a few kilometres further inland is the amazing National Park – Picos de Europa, the Peaks of Europe, named by sailors returning from the new world of the Americas as their first sight of their homeland came into view. The Picos are a compact limestone  mountain range with accessible roads that delve deep into its valleys and high plateaus.

We’ll be exploring some of its higher villages, mountain lakes, vistas and sampling some local culinary offerings including. These include Fabada (bean stew), local wines,  variety Seafood and shell fish, Sidre (cider) and the regions famous cheeses including Cabrales (blue) cheese.  A Highlight in the mountains is its most iconic peak the Naranjo de Bulnes that lies at its heart.

After two nights in the mountains we’ll venture further west and back to the coast to photograph a handful of its most stunning and unique beaches plus explore a couple of  laid back fishing  villages.  Its most photogenic Cudillero will double as our base and our subject matter at dawn and provide some exploration by day.

On the 7th day we will make our way back along the coast via Ribadesella to Santander where the trip will conclude in the afternoon.

You can read a National Geographic piece on Asturias here “Why Spain’s Asturias is an under the radar destination”

Asturias and the Pico De Europa –  The Locations

Register your interest by contacting Glen by email

Accommodation 

The Asturias and the Pico de Europa photo adventure will have three main bases all with single occupancy rooms.

Llanes – 1 night at the Hotel Finca La Mansion, a short distance from the centre of town and our nearby beaches.

Cangas de Onis –  Hotel Los Lagos Nature – 2 nights in the heart of the town and our base for exploring the Picos de Europa.

Cudillero – 3 nights at the wonderful Casona de La Paca,  a classic house hotel on the edge of the colourful town harbour town a shirt drive from the most dramatic Asturian beaches.

* includes breakfast when included at venue – venues subject to availability

Extra Info 

Meet up will be in the morning at Santander railway station at 10:00am date TBC

End point will be at Santander railway station at 13:30hrs on the date TBC.

Your invited to check out some testimonials from previous photo adventures here