Gijón

The city of Gijón, in the north of the Peninsula, is bathed by the Cantabrian Sea and is famous for its beauty, to which its important historical and artistic heritage contributes.

Most of Gijón's monuments are located in the historic quarter: Cimadevilla, the old fishermen's neighbourhood. In this traditional neighbourhood, you can find remains of its first settlers, palaces, and fishermen's houses. Just a few metres from Cimadevilla is the Cerro de Santa Catalina. There, right by the sea's edge, you can admire the Elogio del Horizonte sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.

In Gijón's Main Square stands the town hall, a 19th-century building. Plaza Jovellanos is surrounded by the remains of the Gijonese wall, where you can visit the writer's birthplace as well as the Chapel of Los Remedios, where his tomb is located. The area known as Campo Valdés houses various monuments such as the Church of San Pedro, an emblematic historicist-style building of the city. The Roman baths of Campo Valdés date back to the 1st century AD, and during your visit, you can still appreciate some of the frescoes that decorated its walls.

Outside the old town, you can visit the Jardines del Náutico, Hermanos Castro Park, and Isabel la Católica Park, the latter two being large green spaces and leisure areas for the people of Gijón.

Gijón's cultural agenda is supported by its great range of museums. The Revillagigedo Palace and San Juan Bautista Collegiate Church serve as cultural centres, often hosting various exhibitions throughout the year. The Barjola Museum is dedicated to the painter associated with the ‘Tremendism’ movement. There, you can admire some of his works and also enjoy the venue itself, as this museum is located in an old Baroque palace. Additionally, in the Asturian People’s Ethnographic Museum, which spans a large area, you can learn more about Asturian customs, their cuisine, bagpipes, visit the granaries, and even learn how the famous cider is made. The Gijón Aquarium is home to many marine species and delights both the young and old.

Corrida, Menéndez Valdés, and Uría are the city's shopping streets. They're perfect for an afternoon of shopping or leisure and for enjoying the excellent Asturian cuisine of faba beans, Cabrales cheese, cider, and other dishes like hake with ‘cocochas’.