You’ll find a choice of great things to do in Gijón, a northern Spanish harborside town where fascinating bits of Roman history complement a modern beach resort scene. Even though it’s one of the Asturian region’s largest coastal towns, you can easily explore its core on foot. The more popular town of Oviedo to the south may please you with more features, but Gijón has its own specific charms, including the panoramic golden beachfront bordering the blue waves of the Cantabrian Sea.
Charming medieval sightseeing awaits in the fisherman’s harborside quarter of Cimadevilla.
Plazas in the old town are porticoed, and wide and scenic boardwalks line the coast. Families with kids will find loads to do – on land or in the waves. Also, it’s only around a 30-minute transfer east from Asturias Airport, a generally shorter ride than to Oviedo.
What is Gijón Most Famous For?
Sunbathe at Playa de San Lorenzo
It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Spain, with a 1.5-km-long stretch of soft and golden sand. Walk along the boardwalk and you’ll be able to get plenty of good shots of panoramic seascapes. Down on the sand, there are different sections with parasols and sun loungers for rent. You can find most of the beach clubs at the eastern end of the coast. Other sections feature rocks and caves. Some are even nesting sites for sea turtles.
Location: Paseo Marítimo., Av. Rufo García Rendueles, 33203 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Elogio del Horizonte
Around 5 minutes’ walk north from the Old City along via Calle Camín de la Fontica, you’ll reach the hilly Catalina headland. It’s well maintained, with a pleasant walking and cycling path winding through it. This leads you to the 10-meter-tall sculpture of Elogio del Horizonte (Eulogy of the Horizon), with its two pillars supporting an open ellipse. This frames the horizon and the blue waters of the Bay of Biscay perfectly. You can also find a skatepark on the western end of the promontory against the magnificent ocean backdrop.
Location: Calle Camín de la Fontica, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Plaza Mayor
Take in the historical charms of Gijón in Plaza Mayor, the town’s main square. The ayuntamiento (townhall) overlooks the neatly tiled and cobblestoned plaza with a single tall lamppost at its center. Other tall buildings surround the plaza with colonnades at their bases, which are home to some shops and boutiques. You can sit down for a coffee and even take in the charming square over dinner at one of the sidrería (cider bars) in the north-western corner. Walking through the gateway west takes you to Plazuela del Marqués by the marina. Take the eastern passageway, and you’ll hit the beach.
Location: Plaza Mayor, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Termas Romanas de Campo Valdes
You can find these extensive underground ruins at the western end of Playa de San Lorenzo. These 1st-century Roman baths are slightly hidden from plain sight from the street-level of Campo Valdés. You can find the entrance around the lush gardens in front of the Parroquia de San Pedro Apóstol (Church of St. Peter the Apostle). Entry is around €2.50 but is free on Sundays. You’ll find yourself wandering around the dimly lit displays but with impressive stone baths and well-preserved decorated walls. Information is available in English.
Location: Campo Valdés, 1, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 9.30 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 7.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 7.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +34 985 185 151
Admire Asturian history at Museo Etnográfico del Pueblo de Asturias
This beautifully laid out museum in the more urban area of Gijón features indoor and outdoor exhibits, enabling you to enjoy a fun and visual history lesson in any weather. The museum showcases Asturian history and culture through a rich collection of galleries. There are 3 floors inside where you can find ethnographic items such as artifacts and traditional clothing. The outdoor exhibits include full-scale architectural sets that can be a soothing journey back in time (the museum is set in a tranquil area, well away from traffic).
Location: Paseo Dr. Fleming, 19, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Open: October–March: Tuesday–Friday from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Saturday– Sunday from 10 am to 6.30 pm. April–September: Tuesday–Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday–Sundays from 10.30 am to 7 pm
Phone: +34 985 182 960
Mercado Artesano
Mercado Artesano usually takes place on the 2nd weekend of each month, in the northern section of Plaza Mayor. Stall owners and artists set up tents and showcase their best artworks and handicrafts for visitors. Note that schedules can change, depending on the season. Most of the time, you can enjoy a variety of entertainment and exhibitions within the square. Some sculptors sculpt onsite, showing a masterpiece gradually taking shape. A few other stalls also sell foodstuffs like wines and olive oils at local prices.
Location: Plaza Mayor, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Open: 10 am to 7 pm on the 2nd weekend of every month
Phone: +34 628 200 520
Motos de Agua Poniente
Motos de Agua Poniente is a water sports operator on Playa de Poniente beach, just beside the marina. You can ask for packages that include jet ski rides, stand-up paddle (SUP) surfing and a ride in a Lamborghini, for around €120. While Playa de San Lorenzo offers a panoramic beachfront suitable for sunbathing and swimming, Gijón’s main water sports playground is on the opposite west, on Playa de Poniente beach. This smaller bay also features a wide stretch of sand, but it’s in the waters where all the fun takes place.
Location: Calle Rodríguez San Pedro, 56, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +34 684 644 859
Gijón Aquarium
Acuario de Gijón (Gijón Aquarium) is an excellent place to learn about hundreds of different species of animals from the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The kids will love the touch pools as they can feel the textures of live starfish. The aquarium also has a viewing glass dome, where you can see a wide variety of marine creatures swimming overhead. You can easily spend over 1 hour wandering through Gijón Aquarium’s many tanks and pools.
Location: Playa De Poniente, S/N, 33212 Gijón, Spain
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Phone: +34 985 185 220
