A quick visit to Gijón, Asturias

If you are thinking about visiting the green and awesome region of Asturias, you need to learn more about its biggest city, Gijón. It is located on the Bay of Biscay, approximately 24 km (15 mi) north-east of Oviedo, the capital of this region and it is considered the industrial city of Asturias due to its significant and prominent port. Let me tell you some things I found out about Gijón when I visited this Asturian gem.

On the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, Gijón shows its visitors an attractive combination of marine flavor, monumental heritage and modern urbanism. Its marina tells us a story strongly connected to the Cantabrian Sea. If you are keen on surfing, Gijón’s beaches are excellent to practice.

Important constructions and buildings date back to the past of the city as a Roman settlement and its development in the 16th century. Specifically, in the 16th century, the Catholic Monarchs decided to install a port there. I am going to tell you some exciting things that shouldn't be missed out while traveling in Gijón.

Cimadevilla, the oldest neighborhood

The old town of Gijón is composed by the hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing district of Cimadevilla. Cimadevilla is the oldest neighborhood of Gijón since its first habitants settled on this hill. It has also been the place chosen to host the “Elogio del Horizonte” (Eulogy to the Horizon), a monumental work of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida, which is considered the symbol of the city. From this point, we have one of the best views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Costa Verde. It is totally worth walking and looking around, especially at sunset. In these streets, between the beach of San Lorenzo and the port, you can also find Roman remains, palatial mansions and old fishermen's houses.

San Lorenzo beach and its boardwalk

After the tour around the Cimadevilla neighborhood, you can continue your visit with San Lorenzo Beach, one of the three must-see beaches in Gijón. It starts from the Church of San Pedro and is the busiest place in summer with both tourists and local people. San Pedro Church was built between 1945 and 1955 on the remains of the old church of the fifteenth century (burned in 1936, when the Civil War started). 

This church is at the foot of the hill of Santa Catalina and can be seen from the boardwalk of the beach of San Lorenzo. It is, for photography lovers, one of the most beautiful images you can capture in Gijón. This boardwalk extends along the beach, and it is called Paseo del Muro de San Lorenzo. It’s is an ideal place to walk, and to stop for a drink or food since you’ll find plenty of restaurants and shops.

The beach of San Lorenzo, located at the east of Cimadevilla, is another of the symbols of Gijón.  Its Escalerona, the best known of the multiple stairs that allow access to the sand, tries to simulate a liner, with the control bridge, the chimney, and the clock.

Enjoy the fishing village of Gijón - which you can adequately visit in one or two days- walk around its oldest neighborhood, Cimadevilla, and get to know its monumental heritage. Do not miss its San Lorenzo beach and its fantastic marina!