Gijón
TownA Roman bath complex of the early second century AD lies beneath the square by San Pedro church, a hundred metres from a 1,550-metre city beach.
What it actually is
The largest city in Asturias, and the only place here that works as city break, beach holiday and food trip at once. It is built around Cimavilla, the headland dividing San Lorenzo beach from the port.
Cimavilla, the beach and the cider
Climb to the Cerro de Santa Catalina, where Chillida’s ten-metre Elogio del Horizonte has framed the sea since 1990. Walk the Muro at low tide, when the sand doubles. Then drink cider poured from above the glass: escanciar, UNESCO-listed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Gijón?
No. The old town and beach are walkable, with trains and buses to Oviedo.
Is San Lorenzo beach any good?
Yes: 1,550 metres of sand, lifeguarded in season. The water is cool and the tide reshapes it.
When should I go?
Late June to mid-September to swim; May or late September otherwise.
Explore more of the Costa Verde
Gijón is one of many destinations on the CostaMap interactive map — browse beaches, coves, castles and viewpoints across the coast.