//
City and municipality in Asturias, Spain
Photo: David Álvarez López from Gijón, España, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Gijón (or Xixón in Asturian) is a port and metropolis in Asturias on the north coast of Spain. With a population of 270,000 in 2024, it's mostly modern but has an attractive old centre and many cultural attractions.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés
Public bathing complex from late 1st century AD.
Birthplace of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744-1811), a statesman, author and philosopher, and a major figure of the Age of Enlightenment in Spain.
Grand palace from 15th century but rebuilt in the 18th, this now houses temporary exhibitions and is not otherwise open. Its Chapel of St John the Baptist sometimes hosts concerts.
The permanent collection is the artwork of Juan Barjola (1919-2004), who painted in abstract and expressionist styles. Plus temporary exhibitions.
Basílica-Santuario del Sagrado Corazón de Jesus
Ornate OTT church built 1918-22 in a mix of Neo-Gothic and Modernist.
A working-class housing block, named for the fellow who built it in 1877, and inhabited until 1960. It's now a museum, with one house furnished in period. Folk here lived in cramped conditions, with a single window to each house.
Steam, diesel and electric locomotives and shunters and other rolling stock, mostly from Asturias' industrial heyday of coal and steel. The steam locos are occasionally fired up and haul rides, but it's just for 100 m up and down the siding. Plus a library and resource on Spanish railways, and model railways.
The aquarium has 60 different habitats of fresh and salt water.
Exhibiting the work of post-impressionist painter Nicanor Piñole (1878-1978). The building of 1902 was originally a school for under-privileged children.
Museo del Pueblo de Asturias
Extensive display of Asturian culture.
Displaying the work of painter Evaristo Valle (1873-1951) and allied Gijón artists.
Extensive display of Atlantic plants.
A fortified settlement from 500 BC on a breezy headland, with museum and reconstructed dwellings. It was Romanized in the 1st century AD but abandoned after the founding of Gijón.
Remains of a Roman villa, close to the Roman road to Asturica Augusta, nowadays Astorga.
Filling portions at this old town sidrería.
Popular place for cider and tapas.
Inexpensive seafood and meat.
Creative cuisine at this waterfront grill.
Sidrería with trad Asturian cuisine.
Old but comfy and central.
Clean and comfy hotel near the marina, some street noise.
Good value midrange place in town centre.
Clean well-run small hotel (no dorm) by Parque Isabel La Católica. Storage for bikes and surf boards.
Comfy hotel in Parque Isabel La Católica, a bit dull and needing a spruce.
Boxy midrange hotel on San Lorenzo beach, make sure to get a sea view.
Upscale hotel by San Lorenzo beach, some reckon it's overpriced for what you get.
By train
Renfe trains from Madrid Chamartin run every 2-3 hours, taking 4 hr via Segovia, Valladolid, Palencia, León and Oviedo. They may start from Valencia or Alicante.
By bus
ALSA buses run hourly from Madrid Estación Sur, taking 6-7 hours via Madrid Moncloa, Valladolid, León and Oviedo. Some start from Madrid Airport T4.
By road
From Madrid follow A-6 / A-66 (toll), 466 km. Reckon 5 hours, but slower in winter as you cross the bleak mountains.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ranón · International · OVD
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Gijón and Spain.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.