About Gijón

Gijón has the virtue of being one of those cities that know how to go against the flow, instinctively reinventing themselves with the passing of time. In recent years, it has allied itself with the spontaneously vibrant cities that extend along the Bay of Biscay from San Sebastián to La Coruña. It may be due to the Cantabrian Sea that bathes these shores and keeps the coastal capitals of northern Spain wide-awake.

With the echo of its industrial past still present, it has managed to reinvent itself as a modern, charismatic, cosmopolitan city with a beguiling nightlife: intimate and hassle-free in winter, while opening up to its beaches and street life in summer. A drastic yet harmonious metamorphosis, deep-rooted in its history.

On the same hill where the Romans laid the founding stones of the town, a monumental sculpture by Eduardo Chillida now rises up, paradigm of the avant-garde. The local cuisine maintains the flavour and aroma of the old fishing quarter, Cimavilla. While the Enlightenment was ushered in by Jovellanos almost three centuries ago, Gijón nowadays boasts an intense cultural scene –musical, literary and ethnographic– on which the curtain never goes down at any time during the year.

WE ARE

NATURAL

A city in which blue and green blend into a landscape of urban and rural contrasts

• 4 urban beaches
• 6 beaches in the rural area around the city
• 1 aquarium
• 1 thalassotherapy centre
• 2 marinas
• 4 Golf Courses
• 52 parks
• 7 gardens
• The first Atlantic botanical garden in Spain

LIVELY AND VIVACIOUS

During the whole year: inside or out in the street. If you choose to be indoors, you have the International Film Festival, the European Festival of Children’s Theatre, dance, theatre or the International Equestrian Championship. However, if you prefer to be outside, you will be able to dance around a bonfire on the night of Saint John, walk the procession routes of Easter Week, listen to concerts with “Arte en la calle”, discover the culture of Arco Atlántico or take part in the Natural Cider Festival (which has been declared to be of interest for tourism).

CULTURE

We are a city of traditions and the avant garde, making this clear in the 15 museums and cultural facilities which offer many types of experiences: archaeology, references to our rural and industrial past, our finest painting and our contemporary creativity. A complete luxury without leaving the city.

APPETIZING

You have surely heard that people eat very well in Asturias. But did you know that in Gijon you can use gastronomy as the thread which guides your discoveries in the city? Our “Gijon Goloso” (sweet-toothed Gijon) guides you through our streets, entering the most traditional patisseries and ice-cream parlours. The “Ruta de la Sidra” (cider route) will take you out to lose yourself in our countryside, discovering our traditions and trying our drink. “Gijon Gourmet” will ensure that you enjoy exclusive menus.

WELCOMING

We have two thousand years of experience in hospitality. Gijón is where ancient ways cross: it stands at one end of the “Silver Rourte” and is a stage of the pilgrimage route Santiago de Compostela (The Way of St. James)

INNOVATIVE

Proclaimed the City of Science and Innovation, we have more innovative companies than any other Asturian city.

Although creativity in a broad sense and new trends are widespread in the city, its innovative heart lies in the “Mile of Knowledge”: this large park contains the Science and Technology Park, the Universidad Laboral Campus, the City of Culture and the Centre for Art and Industrial Creation.

FRESH

Our history is strongly influenced by the Cantabrian Sea. At the heart of the most cosmopolitan city in Asturias, its historic quarter, Cimavilla, is dominated by its seaport atmosphere. But if there is one thing which expresses the influence of the sea on the city, this is our gastronomy. The Cantabrian Sea supplies the high quality ingredients which are used to make some of our most authentic dishes.

SAFE

One of the attractions of our lively nightlife is that you can enjoy yourself without any problems until very late at night. Gijón is one of the safest cities in Spain with an extremely low crime rate so that while here you only need to take the same basic precautions as for any other trip.

CONSCIENTIOUS AND RESPECTFUL 

We take care of our natural surroundings, protecting our historical heritage and traditions. We strive to ensure that everyone, residents and visitors, enjoys a good quality of life, improving the accessibility of the city and its services. All of these qualities have been recognized by accreditation as a Destination Committed to Sustainable Tourism (Biosphere World Urban Destination)

More info is available at www.gijon.info

Must do´s...

1.“Eulogy of the Horizon” and Santa Catalina Headland

At the highest point of the headland, the ancient vantage point from where whales were sighted,

stands one of the favourite works of artist Eduardo Chillida, Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts.

The Basque sculptor confessed that he had travelled the European Atlantic coast in search of

possible locations. On receiving the invitation from Gijón and following his visit to Santa Catalina

Headland, he knew that it was the perfect location. Raised in 1990, in the town’s former fishing

quarter, the sculpture was met with suspicion by the ironic spirit of its inhabitants. Today, it is one

of the symbols of the city and a must visit. The sculpture gives rise to different impressions

depending on the viewpoint. What’s more, it also surprises due to its seashell effect –altogether

unexpected by the author– which captures the sound of the sea as you step inside it. The walk up the

hill affords a panoramic view that helps you to understand the city, its double bay and backdrop of

hills enclosing it to the south.

2. Roman Baths

Gijón’s public baths are considered one of the most important Roman sites in northern Spain. Built

between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, they were unearthed in 1903, but were not opened to the

public until 1965. The present-day museum was built in the 1980s following the excavations and

restoration of Roman Gijón. Each area boasts a computer graphic reconstruction of the thermae.

Coloured lights are used to evoke the cold rooms, warm baths, hot rooms and furnaces, and the

Roman heating system is also explained. The visit allows you to discover the development of the

oldest town in Asturias, founded more than 2,000 years ago. The baths are undoubtedly a good

starting point to visit other fascinating archaeological museums in Gijón, such as Campa Torres

Archaeological and Nature Park and the Roman Villa of Veranes.

3. Gijon’s “Universidad Laboral”

The largest building constructed in Spain in the 20th century is a great unknown. It is surprising for

the magnitude of the complex of buildings, occupying more than 130,000 square metres, raised in

the post-war period. In appearance, it follows the ideals of classical architecture, although the visit

reveals its more innovative aspects. Closed in on itself, it is laid out around a large central square or

courtyard, measuring 150 by 50 metres, reminiscent of the style of Castilian plazas, although its

main source of inspiration is the Piazza San Marco in Venice. Set around the courtyard are the

chapel, covered by the largest elliptical dome in Europe, the theatre, with its Hellenistic façade, and

the tower, the tallest building in Asturias and the highest stone construction in Spain. It was

originally conceived as a miners’ orphanage. However, when building work commenced in 1948

under the supervision of architect Luis Moya Blanco, it was decided that it was to become the

country’s first Universidad Laboral (vocational training university). Today, under the name of

Laboral City of Culture, it plays a key role in Gijón’s “Mile of Knowledge”.

4. Atlantic Botanic Gardens

Those who expect traditional botanic gardens are in for a surprise! At Gijón’s Botanic Gardens, you

can lose yourself in a centennial oak wood –a listed natural monument–, walk in silence through an

alder grove or take a stroll through historical gardens dating from the 19th century. There is also an

educational area showing the native vegetation on both sides of the Atlantic. Without the need to

leave the city, the gardens allow you to discover the enchantment of natural areas characteristic of

Asturias. In summer, concerts with unique formats are held in the magical setting of the Botanic

Gardens.

5. Cimavilla

Right in the heart of Asturias’ most cosmopolitan city, the old town transports you to an authentic

fishing quarter. Ever since the Romans left the first settlement on Cape Torres to found Gigia, in the

1st century AD, the city was restricted to this peninsula that divides San Lorenzo Bay. The move

further inland did not take place until the 18th century, resulting in the city’s present-day layout.

Roman remains coexist in Cimavilla alongside the memories of its maritime past, of whalers and

the women who rolled the cigars in the tobacco factory. It is also home to the birthplace and tomb of

Jovellanos, traces of the Way of St James and the city’s nightlife, a hallmark of the neighbourhood.

At its feet is to be found the marina, the former domain of sailors and trade with the Americas.

Overlooking the marina stands one of the finest baroque palaces in the region, as well as the city’s

shopping area.

6. Cider Culture

Cider, which the Romans discovered when they arrived here two thousand years ago, is more than

just a drink: it is a way of relating to others, of conversing and of making merry. It is never drunk

alone or in silence; it is always shared with friends, family or workmates. Or, if you are actually on

your own, with the cider tavern’s patrons. You don’t order a glass, you start off with una botellina

(a “wee” bottle)... and something to eat to accompany it! It is surrounded by its very own rites,

vocabulary and explanation, including how to pour it… from a height! There are numerous options

to experience cider culture in Gijón. Enter any cider tavern in town or head to the bars overlooking

the marina when the weather is fine. You can visit the cider mills located in the surrounding

countryside or make for to the merenderos (picnic restaurants) just outside town. If you are lucky,

you can also enjoy an informal buffet-style banquet held in a cider mill, known as an espicha,

usually organized to celebrate a family or work event, such as the end of a congress. Technically

speaking, the word espicha refers to the action of opening a barrel for the first time by knocking an

espita (spigot) into it. In popular culture, it is a traditional feast held in a cider mill. Cider is served

directly from the barrel at such events, the food is home cooked and eaten up standing up so that the

participants can mix freely.

7. The Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay)

In the 1990s, Gijon rediscovered (and regained) its coastline. To enjoy the spectacle of the

Cantabrian Sea –as this part of the Bay of Biscay is known– is simple –practically inevitable– in a

city that has three beaches and one of its marinas right in the town centre. In order to understand the

fascination of the residents of Gijón for San Lorenzo Beach, you need to pay a visit at night to the

promenade they refer to as “El Muro” (The Wall), which includes a three-kilometre vista of that part

of the bay. The promenade’s name alludes to the “retaining wall for water” built in the 18th century

to protect the city. In the harbour area in winter, you can enjoy the spectacle of crashing waves,

which often break over the harbour wall. To discover the sheer Asturian coastline without leaving

the city, you can follow the promenade between the River Piles Bridge and El Rinconín and then

take the Cervigón Pathway, which overlooks the open sea on its way to Peñarrubia Beach and La

Providencia hilltop.

If you have more time to spare, be sure to:

• Look out for the sculptures that dot Gijón, the result of the commitment to transform the urban landscape using contemporary works of art. You will find them on the course of your walks around the town. 
• Ask about the route devoted to the Enlightenment scholar and statesman Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and discover the reason behind the following saying: “Gijón owes the sea to God and the rest to Jovellanos.
• Look upwards and discover the unexpected Modernist buildings that make up an unexpected urban route.

Discover which of the theme museums is the one you are most interested in: there are museums dedicated to ethnography, industrial heritage and fine arts.