At Elogio del Horizonte, the sea becomes audible: stand beneath the sculpture and you can hear its sound amplified. This unusual experience fits a visit to Gijón, where coastal landscapes and maritime history have their own distinctive presence alongside museums, gardens, and historic buildings.
Coast, trails, and nature
Playa de Poniente is an artificial sandy beach in the Gijón/Xixón marina area. It is suitable for trying water sports and for children to swim. Seasonal conditions and facilities may change; check in advance what is important for your visit. Cimadevilla offers a different maritime perspective: the former fishing district has preserved its buildings, historic layout, and maritime atmosphere.
Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will find a network of eight green routes, with more than 50 kilometers of outdoor walking trails in total. They connect the region’s history and traditions with its diverse flora and fauna. The Senda fluvial del Piles offers a specific landscape experience: the riverside path follows the water through landscapes of apple orchards, forests, and farms. The Jardín Botánico Atlántico complements these nature-focused attractions as a botanical museum specializing in the flora and vegetation of the Atlantic world.
The Parque Arqueológico-Natural de la Campa Torres also combines landscape and history. It is located on the coast within the municipality of Gijón and covers 50,000 square meters. At the same time, it is the largest fortified maritime site on the Asturian coast. The routes and this archaeological site thus offer different ways to explore nature and the past.
Roman remains and the city’s history
At the Museo de las Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés, the museum stands above a Roman bath complex dating from the early Imperial period. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Spain. The Villa Romana de Veranes offers another glimpse of Roman life: a large Roman country house dating from the 4th century.
The Ciudadela de Celestino Solar, also known as the Ciudadela de Capua, is a museum and cultural space devoted to the living conditions of Gijón’s proletarian population. Its historical perspective spans from the last third of the 19th century to the years before and after the Civil War. The Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias, meanwhile, is located in the former Estación del Norte railway station, which served as Gijón’s main railway gateway for more than a century. The museum explores Asturias’s recent working-class, industrial, technological, and social history.
At the Museo Casa Natal de Jovellanos, the architecture takes you further back in time: the palace was built between the late 14th and early 16th centuries, and Jovellanos was born there in 1744. The complex includes the adjoining Capilla de los Remedios, which houses his mausoleum. Those interested in everyday and material culture will find hórreos and granaries from the 18th and 19th centuries at the Muséu del Pueblu d’Asturies. Its bagpipe collection includes instruments from North Africa, Eastern and Central Europe, France, the United Kingdom, and the Iberian Peninsula.
Art, gardens, and architecture
At the Museo Evaristo Valle, art and garden space are closely connected: the historic gardens, covering more than 16,000 square meters, combine French and English garden design and display almost 50 contemporary sculptures. The museum itself permanently exhibits more than 100 works by Evaristo Valle. The Museo Nicanor Piñole preserves more than 6,000 drawings by the painter, who was born in Gijón. Guided visits for groups of 20 or more can be arranged in advance.
The Museo Barjola also offers a glimpse of different periods. It is located in the former La Trinidad complex, which includes the Capilla de La Trinidad—a notable example of Gijón Baroque architecture from the 17th century. The museum displays part of Juan Barjola’s work on its three upper floors, covering the period from the mid-1950s to the late 1980s.
You can explore the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura on a guided visit. The route includes the plaza, theater, church, and ascent to the Mirador de la Torre. Measured from the central courtyard, the tower is 117.60 meters high; its crowning ear of wheat measures 17 meters. Laboral is served by city bus routes 1 and 18. As routes and visiting hours may change, check the latest travel and visit information before setting out.
An annual event
The Festival de la Sidra Natural takes place in Gijón in late August and is recognized as an event of tourist interest by the Principality of Asturias. At Playa de Poniente, thousands of people pour cider at the same time. As dates and programs may change from year to year, it is worth checking the event details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Gijón, Cimadevilla, Proaza, Bajo Nalón, Corvera De Asturias, Castropol, Siero, Cangas De Onis.
See the main travel overview: Asturias.
