Gijón is a port city on the northern coast of Spain, in the region of Asturias. It is one of the largest settlements in the Principality, and its harbour and working waterfront give it a character quite different from the inland towns of the region. The city is also known locally as Xixón, the name used in the Asturian language.
Much of Gijón's appeal lies in the contrast between its industrial past and its present as a cultural hub. The port and its surrounding districts still carry traces of the city's industrial heritage, and visitors interested in how a working coastal city has changed over time will find plenty to look at as they walk through its streets.
Beaches and the Green Coast
The city sits on the stretch of coast known as the Costa Verde, or Green Coast, and its beaches are a central part of a visit. Whether you come for a walk along the seafront or to spend a relaxed afternoon by the sea, the coastline gives the city a lively, outdoors feel.
Museums, culture and cider
Gijón has a strong cultural life, with museums and a wider scene of exhibitions and events that reward a slower pace. Cider is also part of daily life here. Asturian cider culture is closely tied to the region's bars and tabletop rituals, and sampling it is one of the more distinctive things a visitor can do in the city.
- Walk the seafront and the beaches of the Green Coast.
- Explore the museums and cultural venues across the city.
- Take in the port and the traces of its industrial heritage.
- Try Asturian cider in one of the local bars.
Gijón suits a visitor who wants a working port city with a coastline, a cultural calendar and a regional food and drink tradition, rather than a showpiece historic centre. Plan the visit around the sea, the museums and the cider, and allow time to simply wander.
