Summary of Gijón Attractions
Gijón is an operational city located along the Atlantic coast in the northern Spanish region of Asturias.
Isolated from the rest of Spain by towering mountains, this region offers a distinct atmosphere and climate that diverges from the Mediterranean areas.
Attractions in Gijón showcase the industrial legacy of Northern Spain and the city’s deep connection with the ocean.
Additionally, remnants of Roman history can be found here, and if you travel beyond the city limits, you will encounter lush meadows and deciduous woodlands inland, alongside extensive beaches and rugged coastlines.
Let us examine the top attractions in Gijón:
1. Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
Approximately three kilometres east of the city lies an enormous university campus from the Franco era, which, despite its construction in the 1950s, began to deteriorate by the 1990s.
Unique within Asturias, this 20th-century edifice has been repurposed as a multifunctional cultural centre to preserve its heritage.
The facility accommodates the University of Oviedo, features an exhibition hall, a 1,500-seat theatre, and a café.
Visitors can also meander through the gardens and engage in a round of golf. The 117-meter tower is the tallest structure in Asturias and is modeled after Seville’s Giralda, offering the best panoramic views of Gijón from its summit.
2. Jardín Botánico Atlántico
Just south of Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, this park is the only botanical garden in Asturias, having opened in 2003. The garden comprises four distinct zones, each characterized by unique environments.
The initial zone features the Bay of Biscay with hardwoods that flourish in this temperate climate, including beech, birch, cork, and oak.
The orchard area showcases trees and herbs commonly cultivated across Spain, such as vines and olive trees.
The oldest section of the park dates back to the 19th century when the industrialist who owned this land introduced yews, camellias, and banana trees.
Lastly, the Atlantic route is a trail that guides visitors through various maritime habitats, spanning from the Mediterranean to American boreal regions featuring coniferous forests.
3. Gijón Aquarium
Back in the city, the aquarium is located adjacent to Poniente Beach.
This facility is notable as it is the sole aquarium in Spain that houses all five categories of vertebrates: fish, birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.
A total of 4,000 animals from 400 different species inhabit both marine and freshwater environments here.
The aquarium emphasizes education, allowing visitors to closely observe otters, clownfish, sea horses, octopuses, and sharks while providing in-depth information about their habitats, survival strategies, and dietary needs.
4. Roman Baths
The entrance to this archaeological site boasts a magnificent location, facing the ocean in Cimavilla and adjacent to the Church of San Pedro Apóstol.
Prior to viewing the ruins, visitors receive an insightful overview of the significance of thermal baths in Roman society, including the distinctions among various rooms and their heating methods.
Subsequently, guests can view the remnants of the hypocaust, ovens, and bathing areas, alongside 3D reconstructions depicting their appearance 2,000 years ago.
Intriguing artefacts uncovered at the site since its discovery in 1903 are displayed in cabinets.
5. Museum of the Asturian People
This museum hosts indoor and outdoor exhibits that provide insights into the daily life in Asturias throughout the ages.
In the outdoor village area, visitors can observe an operational cider press, which is emblematic of the regional beverage.
Another notable feature typical of northern Spain is the Hórreo, a granary elevated off the ground on stone pillars to deter rodents.
Part of the complex includes a bagpipe museum showcasing beautifully crafted pipes and other folk instruments.
In the main museum building, collections of everyday tools, furniture, toys, and utensils are displayed, alongside implements used in traditional trades such as tanning, basket weaving, and carpentry.
6. Gijón Railway Museum
Also located near Poniente Beach is Gijón’s Railway Museum, which was established in 1998 within the city’s old Estación del Norte and its associated shunting yard.
A majority of the machinery on display originates from the regional network of lines across Northwest Spain, including city tram systems.
In light of Asturias’s association with coal mining, several engines related to this industry are showcased.
Moreover, a substantial collection of vintage steam locomotives and historic rolling stock is available for visitors to explore.
Exhibits in the old station hall outline how the railways contributed to Asturias’s economic growth in the 19th century.
7. City Beaches
The ocean significantly influences the climate in Gijón, providing comparatively cool summers.
Nevertheless, temperatures remain consistently warm, making it feasible to enjoy time at the beach, despite the potentially brisk water.
A key reason to visit Playa de Poniente is during San Juan in June, when the entire city seems to partake in large bonfires and fireworks displays.
On the opposite side of Cimavilla lies Playa de San Lorenzo, a sprawling beach accompanied by a bustling promenade frequented by walkers.
On the western side stands La Ecalerona, a grand staircase descending to the beach, adorned with an art deco thermometer and clock established in the early 1930s.
8. Sporting de Gijón
The local football club is not known as a major powerhouse; however, they currently compete in Spain’s top division and host prominent teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid during the season.
El Molinón is recognized as the oldest professional football stadium in Spain still in operation, originally constructed in 1908 and serving as one of the venues for the 1982 World Cup.
Recently renovated, it now accommodates 30,000 spectators, though full crowds are rare except for the most significant matches.
This accessibility makes it relatively easy to secure tickets between August and May, allowing spectators to witness some of the world’s premier players, albeit not typically representing Gijón!
9. TalasoPoniente
Situated at the eastern end of Poniente Beach, overlooking the marina, Gijón’s thalassotherapy centre employs the therapeutic potential of the ocean’s water, mud, algae, and seaweed for various treatments.
Membership is not required to utilize the facilities; a three-hour pass can be purchased to indulge in seaweed baths, steam rooms, and beauty treatments.
If these treatments do not appeal, there are alternatives such as a gym, physiotherapy centre, swimming pool, sports amenities, and a café, ensuring guests leave TalasoPoniente feeling rejuvenated.
10. Santa Catalina Headland
Domineering Cimavilla is a clifftop parkland area jutting into the Atlantic Ocean.
Historically, this region would become isolated at high tide, rendering it an exceptionally challenging stronghold; remnants of its fortifications can be observed throughout the park.
When the port was established to the west in the 1500s, local fishermen settled in this neighborhood.
In 1990, the monumental Elogio del Horizonte sculpture, designed by Eduardo Chillida, was installed atop the headland.
Standing within the sculpture allows one to experience the sound of the sea reverberating from its concrete walls.
11. Casa Natal de Jovellanos
A short distance from the headland lies the birthplace of one of the prominent figures of the Spanish Enlightenment.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, a polymath recognized for his extensive essays on political and legislative economy, was born here in 1744.
Even for those unfamiliar with Jovellanos, this late medieval palace is admirable to explore.
Two rooms are dedicated to his life and contributions, supplemented by exhibitions showcasing 19th and 20th-century Asturian art, as well as Dutch and Flemish artworks from the 17th and 18th centuries.
12. Cabo de Peñas
Situated thirty minutes west of Gijón, this northernmost cape in the Asturias region justifies the scenic drive.
The lighthouse, cliffs capped with grass extending 100 meters high, and rocky outcrops battered by the sea render this area particularly photogenic.
A boardwalk guides visitors to the edge of the bluffs, with informative signs detailing the human and natural history of the locale.
The lighthouse, constructed in 1852, boasts a visibility range of 41 miles in optimal conditions, surpassing any other in the region.
13. Oviedo
Thirty minutes south of Gijón is the city of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias.
This city is also an industrial hub, yet offers notable historical fragments to discover.
None are more significant than Santa María del Naranco, an exquisite pre-Romanesque church consecrated in 848. It holds UNESCO World Heritage status, with its iconic belvedere featuring three arches.
The centre of Oviedo is likewise engaging, populated with over 100 sculptures, including one of filmmaker Woody Allen.
14. Local Walks
Gijón, characterized by its industrial backdrop, is surrounded by the picturesque Asturian countryside, rich in verdant hills and Atlantic woodlands comprising oak, ash, and beech trees.
A gentle rural walk accessible for all ages is the Vía Verde de La Camocha, a 7.2-kilometre path that follows the route of a former mining railway.
Along this path, historical mining heritage can be observed, alongside indicators of wealth generated by the industry, such as mansions and estates.
The Camino de Santiago also traverses Gijón, allowing for countryside exploration by picking up this ancient pilgrimage route that extends either west or east of the city; simply follow the scallop shell symbols.
15. Gijón Cuisine
Given its proximity to the Cantabrian Sea, the climate in Gijón is noticeably cooler than most regions in mainland Spain, necessitating a diet rich in protein and warmth.
A quintessential dish is fabada asturiana, a hearty stew featuring large white beans and a variety of pork products, including bacon, morcilla, chorizo, and pork shoulder.
Cider complements this dish perfectly; here it is non-sparkling and quite tart. When served in bars or restaurants, the waiter traditionally pours the cider from a considerable height to create an effervescent texture.
Cider is also utilized in local recipes along the coast, producing sauces for dishes such as baked hake.
