When choosing a stay in Las Arenas, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: cheese culture, medieval architecture or the landscape. The options differ in whether they combine knowledge and tasting, draw attention to historical details, or open up expansive views. This lets you plan your trip around your own interests, rather than combining the different themes into a fixed itinerary.
Discover and taste cheese
The Cueva ExposiciĂłn Cueva del Cabrales exhibition cave explores the present and past of Cabrales cheese. The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and ends with a tasting. A visit to QueserĂa Vega de TordĂn also takes around 45 minutes; it ends with a tasting of Cabrales cheese and Vega de TordĂn cream. The similar time frame makes the difference in focus clear: the cave centers on the history and present of the cheese, while the cheese dairy visit includes two specifically named samples.
A further perspective is offered by the guided tour of the Cueva del Quesu. In the natural cave, visitors learn about the traditional cheese-making process. The options therefore differ according to what you would like to learn or taste: an exhibition and tasting, insights into cheese-making, or a tour of a cheese dairy followed by a tasting.
As part of an offering at QueserĂa Vega de TordĂn, children can be farmers for a day. Using suitable tools, they care for, clean and feed the animals. This offering connects the cheese theme with a specific hands-on activity; it is a different kind of experience from the tastings and explanations of the production process.
Medieval architecture and history
Santa MarĂa de Llas is a medieval religious building, documented as an abbey church as early as the 14th century. Several architectural details come together at the south portal: a pointed arch, archivolts and decorated capitals resting on columns. The archivolts follow the arch; the columns and capitals complete the portal’s design. This lets you focus on a single architectural feature rather than judging the church solely by its age.
In 1992, the church and its surroundings were designated a Bien de Interés Cultural, a cultural asset of special cultural interest. The designation therefore covers not only the church building but also its surroundings. For a cultural trip, the historical context and the specific features of the south portal complement each other.
The cheese festival throughout the year
The Certamen del Queso de Cabrales takes place every year on the last Sunday in August in Arenas de Cabrales and is recognized as a Fiesta de InterĂ©s TurĂstico. The festival includes the presentation and tasting of the participating cheeses. If you would like to plan your stay around this date, check the latest event information before you travel: the annual date is known, but the program of individual activities may change. Visiting the festival offers a different focus from a single tasting, since the emphasis is on the participating cheeses and their presentation.
Mountain views at Mirador del Vanu
Mirador del Vanu is an equipped viewpoint and recreation area in the municipality of Cabrales. It offers expansive views of Arenas de Cabrales, the Casaño Valley, the Sierra del Cuera and the Picos de Europa. These destinations bring the view into focus: it encompasses both valleys and mountain scenery, offering several different perspectives.
The Mirador has areas for relaxing and taking a break. As their condition may change, it is worth checking shortly before your visit. Choosing your trip according to your interests lets you distinguish between cheese tastings and insights into production, medieval architecture, and a viewpoint with expansive landscape views.
Discover more destinations: Coviella, Celada, Buelna, Cerredo, Sotiello, Pimiango, Bodé, El Cuadro.
For the broader travel overview: Asturias.
