Gijón packs an impressive number of attractions into a walkable coastal city. You can visit Roman ruins in the morning, eat fresh seafood at a harbourside sidrería for lunch, and watch the sunset from a modernist sculpture on a headland, all without needing a car. Here are the best things to do in Gijón, from the iconic San Lorenzo Beach to the hilltop Elogio del Horizonte. For more on this, see the Gijón weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Gijón: Beaches and Coastal Walks
The city’s main beach runs 1.5 km along the seafront in a gentle crescent, framed by the Iglesia de San Pedro at one end and the Paseo del Muro promenade at the other. It is a wide, sandy urban beach with showers, lifeguards (July-September, 11:00-19:00), and a row of chiringuitos (beach bars) at the eastern end. The water is cooler than the Mediterranean (19-20°C in summer) but clean, holding Blue Flag status. The beach has strong currents at high tide: swim between the flagged zones and check the tide tables posted at access points. The Paseo del Muro promenade runs the full length, ideal for a morning run or evening stroll. For more on this, see the best time to visit Gijón guide.nts at highThis hilltop park at the tip of the Cimadevilla peninsula offers the best panoramic view in Gijón. The star attraction is Eduardo Chillida’s “Elogio del Horizonte” (Eulogy to the Horizon), a massive concrete sculpture that frames the sea and sky. Walk up through the Parque del Cerro, past the old military battery, and stand inside the sculpture’s curved walls to hear the wind amplified through its hollow form. Free access, open 24/7. Best visited at sunset. For more on this, see the Gijón neighborhoods guide.st panoramic view in Gijón. The star attraction is Eduardo Chillida’s “Elogio del Horizonte” (Eulogy to the Horizon), a massive concrete sculpture that frames the sea and sky. Walk up through the Parque del Cerro, past the old military battery, and stand inside the sculpture’s curved walls to hear the wind amplified through its hollow form. Free access, open 24/7. Best visited at sunset.Playa de Poniente and the Aquarium
Playa de Poniente is the smaller, more sheltered beach west of the marina, with calmer water and a family-friendly atmosphere. Next to it sits the Acuario de Gijón (Aquarium), which houses 60 freshwater and saltwater tanks focused on Asturian river and Cantabrian Sea species, plus a 2-million-litre central ocean tank with sand tiger sharks. Entry costs €15 for adults, €10 for children 4-12. Open daily 10:00-19:00 (extended to 20:00 in July and August). Website: acuario.gijon.es.
Things to Do in Gijón: Historic Quarter and Landmarks
Cimadevilla (Old Fishermen’s Quarter)
Cimadevilla is Gijón’s oldest neighbourhood, a maze of cobblestone alleys, colourful houses, and sidrerías (cider bars) clinging to a headland between the marina and San Lorenzo Beach. Start at Plaza Mayor, walk up Calle de la Merced, and wander without a map: the whole area is only about 600 metres across. Key stops: Plaza de Jovellanos (with the statue of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, Gijón’s most famous statesman), the Roman baths at Campo Valdés, and the Revillagigedo Palace. On weekend afternoons, the sidrerías along Calle Rosario and Calle Oscar Olavarría fill with locals drinking sidra natural poured in the traditional high-arc escanciado style.
Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés (Roman Baths)
Discovered during construction work in 1903, these 1st-4th century AD Roman baths are remarkably well preserved and sit right in the city centre at Campo Valdés. The museum is built around the excavated ruins, with walkways suspended above the original hypocaust (underfloor heating system), frigidarium (cold room), and caldarium (hot room). Entry is €2.50, free on Wednesdays. Open Tuesday-Friday 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-19:30, Saturday-Sunday 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-19:30, closed Mondays.
Palacio de Revillagigedo
This 18th-century Baroque palace in Plaza del Marqués is one of Gijón’s most photographed buildings, with its twin towers framing a central courtyard. It houses temporary art exhibitions (usually free entry, check what is on at the tourist office). The adjacent 15th-century Collegiate Church of San Juan Bautista, with its Gothic and Romanesque elements, is worth stepping into for the altarpiece and the quiet cloister.
Things to Do in Gijón: Museums and Culture
Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
This massive Franco-era building complex (built 1946-1956 as an orphanage and technical school) is now a cultural centre 3 km east of the city centre. The tower is the tallest building in Asturias at 130 metres. It houses the LABoral Centre for Art and Industrial Creation (contemporary art, €5 entry), a theatre, and the city’s university television studios. The building itself is the main draw: the scale, the central courtyard, and the views from the tower (guided tours only, €3, book at the reception desk). Bus lines 1, 2, and 18 from the city centre stop at “Laboral.”
Jardín Botánico Atlántico (Atlantic Botanical Garden)
Located next to the Laboral complex, this 25-hectare botanical garden is the only one in Spain dedicated exclusively to Atlantic flora. It is organised into four zones: the Atlantic Garden (native Asturian species), the Vegetable Garden (historic crops), the Island Garden (plants from Atlantic islands), and the International Garden (species from other oceanic climate regions like Japan, British Columbia, and New Zealand). Entry costs €5.90 for adults, €4 for children. Open daily 10:00-20:00 (April-September) and 10:00-18:00 (October-March). The cherry blossom tunnel in late March/early April draws a crowd.
Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias (Railway Museum)
Housed in the old North Station building near Playa de Poniente, this museum displays over 140 years of Asturian railway history, including steam locomotives, passenger carriages, and an extensive model railway. The star exhibit is a fully restored 1940s Talgo I train. Entry €4, open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 10:00-14:30, closed Monday.
Things to Do in Gijón: Outdoor Activities and Day Trips
Costa Verde Coastal Walks
The GR-204 coastal path (Sendero Costa Verde) runs along Asturias’s coastline. The Gijón section stretches from the western edge of Playa de Poniente, past the fishing port of El Musel, and continues east towards the beaches of La Ñora and Serín. The most accessible segment is the 3 km walk from Cimadevilla to the Campa Torres archaeological park, which passes the Cerro de Santa Catalina and offers views across the Bay of Biscay. The path is well signposted with red-and-white GR markers. Allow 1.5 hours for the round trip.
Picos de Europa National Park
The Picos de Europa mountain range is a 90-minute drive from Gijón. The Covadonga Lakes (Lagos de Covadonga) are the most popular entry point: two glacial lakes at 1,100 metres elevation, reachable by car (the road is restricted to buses in July/August and on weekends). The Fuente Dé cable car (teleférico) lifts visitors to 1,823 metres in under four minutes, with starting points for multi-day hiking routes. ALSA runs seasonal bus services from Gijón to Cangas de Onís and Covadonga (€12-15 one way, 2 hours). If you rent a car, take the A-8 east and then the N-625 south through the Desfiladero de los Beyos gorge.
Surfing on the Asturian Coast
San Lorenzo Beach has a reliable beach break that works on a west/northwest swell at mid-to-high tide, suitable for intermediate surfers. Beginners should head to Playa de Rodiles, 30 km east near Villaviciosa, which catches more swell and has gentler waves. Several surf schools operate in Gijón: Escuela de Surf de Gijón (based at San Lorenzo, €35 for a 2-hour group lesson including board and wetsuit) and Gijón Surf Hostel (offers board rental from €15/day). Winter (November-March) brings the most consistent swell, with waves averaging 1.5-3 metres.
For more on planning your visit around events like Semana Grande, see the Gijón events and festivals calendar. For area-by-area accommodation advice, check the where to stay in Gijón guide. For transport details including the airport bus and Picos de Europa connections, see the Gijón travel tips and FAQ.
