If you have ever heard of Gijón, you belong to a small minority, as this city in northern Spain often remains under the radar. Located in Asturias, on the Atlantic coast, it is the perfect destination for those looking to discover alternative Spain.
The former industrial city is insanely popular with local Spaniards fed up with the hot temperatures of the south. No stifling heat here, but pleasant year-round temperatures! Combine that with delicious cider, a beautiful historic centre and an impressive coastline and you have the ideal holiday destination!
Note: this blog post is sponsored by Visita Gijón, but contains my authentic experiences of traveling to the city.
About Gijón
This city located in the Asturias region has around 300,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city in the region, although nearby and smaller Oviedo is the capital. Besides being a fishing town, Gijón developed into an industrial hub in the late 19th century with its coal mines and port. The city has largely put this past behind it and now you will mainly find a beautiful historic fishing district, wide tidal beaches, a rugged coastline, numerous cider mills, and a rich cultural scene here.
How to reach Gijón?
Don’t feel like spending hours in the car on the way to northern Spain? Then it’s best to take a plane up to Oviedo. The capital of the Asturias region has a local airport with lots of international connections. You can also fly directly to Asturias from Belgium (Charleroi). A taxi ride of barely 30 minutes then takes you straight to the centre of Gijón. Easy!
Staying in the city itself during your visit? Then it’s best to use the bus or shared bikes to get everywhere. Want to go a little further along the coast or inland? Then use one of the Guppy shared cars.
13 best things to do in Gijón
If you want to visit Gijón, it’s best to set aside a few days for your visit. After all, there is an incredible amount to do in and around the city! The best time to visit? That is spring or autumn. From late March the first cider of the year is poured and in autumn they celebrate the first harvest of apples. These events are always accompanied by lots of festivities that you don’t want to miss! But you can also do the following fun activities throughout the year.
Tip: at the end of August there is the annual cider festival. During this festival the whole city is dedicated to cider and activities such as the world record for cider pouring are organised. Not to be missed!
Stroll through the old town district ‘Cimavilla’
Cimavilla is the historic district of the city of Gijón where fishermen used to take up residence. Nowadays, you won’t find any real fishermen in the fishing district and the original houses also largely disappeared during the Civil War, but the district is still incredibly cute to stroll around in. Some must-sees are:
- Las Letronas – you won’t find a better photo spot than Gijón’s logo! The city’s letters are the ideal place to start your stroll through the city centre.
- The Cider Tree – this work of art is made of more than 3,200 cider bottles. About the amount of cider that 10 families drink in a year!
- The Elogio del Horizonte structure on Santa Catalina Hill – this artwork connects the city of Gijón with the sea that has been so important to its inhabitants for centuries. It acts as a shell, if you stand in the middle you can hear the waves lapping against the rocks.
- St Peter’s Church – just about the most beautiful church in Gijón, rebuilt after the Civil War.
- Museo Casa Natal de Jovellanos – the former home of the man who brought the Industrial Revolution to Gijón. An interesting look into a home from hundreds of years ago and local art.
- Roman thermal baths – Gijón was originally founded by the Romans, and although most Roman remains are still underground, you can visit the ancient thermal baths. Highly recommended!
Tip: did you know that all of Gijón’s municipal museums are simply free? That means you visit Museo Casa Natal de Jovellanos as well as the thermal baths for free!
Visit an authentic cider mill
The Asturias region, and certainly Gijón specifically, is known for its cider. Every local farmer used to have its own cider mill, transforming apples into the light-coloured golden drink they love to gulp down there. Some of these cider mills are now open to the public and you can visit, subject to a guided tour.
The best address? Trabanco! This family-run business has been brewing the best cider in the area for 100 years. On a guided tour, you will learn more about cider making, taste cider straight from the barrel and enjoy a delicious local lunch afterwards. Worth noting: you will also immediately learn something about Gijón’s mining past, as the cider mill uses an old mine tunnel as a storage place for their cider.
Tip: keen to buy some cider for home? Then pay attention to the label and make sure it contains 100% apples from Asturias! You pair it best with fish or strong cheese.
Visit La Laboral – City of Culture
La Laboral, Ciudad de la Cultura, is undoubtedly one of the most impressive buildings in Gijón. Originally built in the 20th century as a technical school and boarding school, today it is a vibrant cultural centre where art, theatre and education come together. At the heart of La Laboral is the magnificent church with the largest elliptical dome in the world, an architectural masterpiece.
You can take a tour of the kitchens of the nuns who inhabited part of the site until the late 1950s, catch an exhibition in the region’s largest theatre or climb the tower for panoramic views over Gijón and the Asturian coast. Note the incredible houses built around La Laboral. These were erected by ‘los indianos’, wealthy locals who amassed their fortunes in South America and later returned.
Tip: on Sunday afternoons, go for a glass of vermouth at Patioh Laboral. Usually, a band plays Spanish music there.
Marvel at the Art Nouveau buildings in the modern part of town
Besides the historic Cimavilla, you can also find a more modern part in Gijón. Modern should be in brackets here, as the houses here also have historical value. Most were built in the modernist style, which also includes Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Be sure to stroll down the Corrida shopping street and instead of looking at the shop windows, look up at the facades of the buildings, just beautiful!
Admire the view from Pico El Sol
The best view of Gijón and its region? You’ll find it on Pico El Sol! This hill faces inland and overlooks the city’s entire coastline. On the far left between the hills you can see the city of Oviedo, straight ahead the city of Gijón with its industrial and historical part. You also have a great view of the old coal mine and the mountains around Pico de Europa!
To get here, it’s best to hire a car. Many locals also consider it a challenge to cycle up the hill.
Visit the Asturian People Museum
The Asturian People Museum is a must-visit if you want to learn more about the region. Inside you will learn more about the life of the people here hundreds of years ago, outside you will discover, among other things, a collection of hórreos (typical wooden granaries on stilts) and even entire houses that they have moved from all over the region to the museum. And this visit is also completely… free!
Tip: Afterwards, walk back to the centre of Gijón through Isabel La Catolica Park until you reach San Lorenzo beach. Instead of going left to the city centre, take a right until you reach the artwork ‘Mother of the Migrants’, a sculpture that talks about all the migrants who once left for South America in search of a better life.
Eat in a traditional cider restaurant
Not only can you visit cider mills in Gijón, you will also find numerous cider restaurants scattered around the city. Here you will enjoy local cuisine paired with a glass of cider. And before you think, what’s special about this? Hear me out! Because you don’t just get a bottle of cider at your table. The waiters pour some cider into your glass from a height of about one and a half metres. And you have to drink it immediately. A pretty funny experience!
My recommendations:
Walk the cliffs along the coastline
The coastline around Gijón consists of towering cliffs dotted with small bays where the locals go to the beach. All along the coastline you can walk along a dedicated path called the Route of Cervigón. For about 8 km, it runs from Gijón to Ñora beach, one of the most picturesque coves on the Asturian coastline. Along the way, you will be treated to beautiful views of the ocean, cliffs and small coves. You will also pass numerous works of art along the way.
Tip: stop at Hotel La Colina or Bar Lola Melón for a delicious lunch or refreshing drink during your hike.
Stroll around the botanical garden
Just outside the centre of Gijón, next to La Laboral, you will find the city’s botanical gardens. This is the only botanical garden in northern Spain entirely dedicated to the flora of the Atlantic region, with more than 30 hectares of lush forests, themed gardens and an impressive collection of plants from different climate zones. Be sure to note the ancient oaks, which, with their more than 800-year age, have since been classified as Natural Heritage Sites.
Buy local delicacies at Mercado del Sur
Do you love a local market? Then Mercado del Sur is the place to be! At this indoor market, you will find everything from local Asturian cheeses and freshly caught fish to sweet treats. A must to wander around.
Tip: buy a vacuum-packed plate of local cheeses at Charcutería Gorfolí. You can take these on the plane and continue enjoying a delicious cheese board at home.
Book a paragliding flight
Do you like adventure? Then you’ve come to the right place for this too in Gijón! Just outside the city on the cliffs, paragliders glide into the sky in good weather. You can easily book a session with an instructor and admire the beautiful coastline from the air. Make reservations at www.reservagijon.es.
Admire the undersea world at the aquarium
The Aquarium of Gijón is located at Playa de Poniente and is a fun activity to do with or without children if the weather is not cooperative. And this can happen once in a while on the Atlantic coast, as the weather is incredibly unpredictable! You’ll learn about the fish and sharks in the aquariums, as well as the work they do to protect ocean life.
Order a coffee at Gijón’s oldest café
Café Dindurra is perhaps the best-known café in Gijón. Since 1901, it has been serving drinks and snacks in an exceptional setting. This is because the café is built in the characteristic art deco style you see in the streets. Even if you don’t want to go there for a drink, feel free to walk in and have a look!
Eating & drinking in Gijón
You can’t avoid the traditional cider restaurants and terraces full of locals in Gijón. Where to eat best? You’ll find out here!
La Galana – this cider restaurant is located just off Gijón’s market square, in the so-called ‘neck’ of the city, just between San Lorenzo and Poniente Beach. Order the delicious squid and fish of the day there – scrumptious! Of course, be sure to pair this with local cider.
Restaurant Zascandil – is known for its focus on fresh fish and seafood, straight from the ocean. The owner and chef, Miguel Ángel de la Cruz, has a passion for local products and you can taste it! Pair one of the seafood dishes with a glass of matching wine.
El Borne by Alejandro Galan – this refined restaurant serves delicious menus with an Asian and local touch. Also try the cheesecake, a delicacy from the region!
Tierra Astur Cider Restaurant – at this cider restaurant, the specialty is cheese! So be sure to order the local cheese board with no less than 6 different Asturian cheeses. This paired with cider of course! My favourite cheese? That’s the strong blue cheese Cabrales.
Casa Trabanco – book your lunch here in combination with a visit to the cider mill. Be sure to try the traditional ‘pote’ or ‘fabada’. Both are meat and white bean stews, the former lighter with vegetables added, the latter heavier with just the white beans.
El Jardín de Gloria – during your city trip, be sure to stop at this cosy café to sample the delicious cakes displayed outside the window. Ideal for a quick coffee pitstop!
Important to know is that Spaniards here eat late. They do not eat lunch until between 2pm and 4pm, and for dinner they do not make reservations until 9pm. So a restaurant that looks closed at 8pm can be full of guests at 9pm!
Staying in Gijón
I stayed at the modern boutique hotel MUNNA. Conveniently located in the middle of the city, this is the ideal base for your stay in Gijón! Rooms are spacious and contain everything you need. In the morning, a generous breakfast buffet is provided until a whopping 11am!
Is Gijón worth visiting?
Yes! Gijón is more than worth visiting! The city is full of hidden nooks and crannies. You will discover the historic fishing quarter, stroll along the vast beaches, admire the rugged Asturian coastline, taste the many local cheeses, drink locally brewed cider and so much more!
Have you visited Gijón yourself and do you have more tips? Don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below!
