On the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, Gijón offers an attractive combination of maritime tradition, monumental heritage and modern urban planning right on the seashore. Its marina is a testament to its close links with the sea throughout its history. It was shortlisted for the European Commission's EDEN programme (European Destinations of Excellence), in recognition of its commitment to sustainable tourism.
Its various major constructions date from the city's past as a Roman settlement, from its development in the 16th century when the Catholic monarchs decided to install a port here, and from the boom enjoyed by the area at the time of the Enlightenment, primarily thanks to Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos.
Cimadevilla
The old quarter of Gijón comprises the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing quarter of Cimadevilla. The first settlers established themselves on this hill, which was also chosen as the site for "Elogio del Horizonte", a monumental work by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. From this vantage point, there are some of the best views of the Cantabrian Sea, the Costa Verde, and Cimadevilla. In these streets, between San Lorenzo Beach and the marina, Roman ruins, palatial mansions, and old fishermen's dwellings stand side by side.In the Plaza Mayor we can admire the 19th-century Town Hall, while in the Plaza de Jovellanos, we find the Jovellanos Birthplace Museum, dedicated to the enlightened politician and writer born in this city. This 16th-century building houses memorabilia and paintings and sculptures by various artists. Adjacent to this building is the Chapel of Los Remedios, where his tomb is located.In the Plaza del Marqués, facing the marina, stand the Palace of Revillagigedo and the Collegiate Church of San Juan Bautista, currently used for modern art exhibitions. The Barjola Museum, located in Calle de La Trinidad, is dedicated to contemporary painting and sculpture.In the area known as Campo Valdés are the Valdés Palace, a 16th-century building that once housed a tobacco factory, the Church of San Pedro, and the Roman baths. The Roman presence of the Fourth Macedonian Legion in the city is evident in this hypocaust, rooms where hot air was generated for the baths, dating from the early centuries AD, and in the remains of the ancient city walls. All of this overlooks the bay of Gijón and the expansive San Lorenzo beach.The modern city offers a rationalist layout with numerous squares and green spaces such as the Nautical Gardens, Begoña Gardens, and Queen's Gardens. It's worth browsing the shops on Calle Corrida, the old cafes and cider houses of Paseo Begoña, or venturing down Calle Uría and Calle Menéndez Valdés up to the Jovellanos Theatre.
River Piles
At the other end of San Lorenzo beach, the River Piles flows into the sea, its course defining the boundaries between the Parque Inglés and Isabel la Católica park. In this privileged setting, occupying a centuries-old mill, stands the Parador de Turismo of Gijón. Surrounded by gardens and ponds, its restaurant offers the opportunity to savour Gijón's cuisine. In addition to fabada, the star dish, seafood stew, Asturian pote (a hearty stew), or hake with kokotxas (hake cheeks) are some of the chef's suggestions. And, to accompany your meal, try some cider (a low-alcohol beverage made from apple juice, which in Asturias is still). Rice pudding, frixuelos (thin, filled cakes of medieval tradition), and casadielles (traditional Carnival pastries) highlight the region's deep-rooted confectionery tradition.On the other side of the Piles River lie the fairgrounds, where must-see attractions include the Ethnographic Museum of the Asturian People, the Hórreo Museum (a traditional Asturian granary), and the International Bagpipe Museum, where you can learn more about this typical Asturian instrument.Further on begins the residential neighbourhood of Somió, one of the first "garden cities" built in Spain. One of these houses, surrounded by gardens, is home to the Evaristo Valle Foundation, dedicated to the painter and his work. A little further from the city centre, you can visit the impressive Laboral City of Culture complex, which stands out as one of the largest civil architectural ensembles in Spain.An interesting place to learn about Asturian industrial history is the Railway Museum, near the marina, from where you can easily visit the Campa de Torres archaeological park. Here you'll find Gijón's industrial port, El Musel.Gijón's location, right on the Costa Verde (Green Coast) and halfway between western and eastern Asturias, makes it a perfect starting point for exploring both its coastline and the interior. The eastern coast invites you to explore its extensive beaches, passing historic towns like Ribadesella and Llanes, and fishing villages like Lastres and Tazones. All of this is complemented by prehistoric sites such as the Tito Bustillo caves and examples of Indiano architecture (characteristic of Asturians who returned wealthy after emigrating to the Americas), such as those found in Colombres.The interior reveals the other side of its natural wealth: the mountains. The Picos de Europa National Park is located in this area, where lakes, forests, and peaks (exceeding 2,000 meters in height) frame numerous villages. Cangas de Onís, the first capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, and the Redes Natural Park are some of the attractions of eastern Asturias.The capital of Asturias, Oviedo, marks the boundary with the western region. This city boasts a rich architectural heritage, most notably its Cathedral, the University, and several pre-Romanesque churches, which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The western coast leads to Galicia, passing through fishing ports like Cudillero, seaside towns like Luarca, and protohistoric settlements such as the hill forts of Coaña. The interior offers historic towns like Pravia, Salas, and Cangas de Narcea, as well as natural areas such as the Somiedo Natural Park and almost untouched regions like Los Oscos.
