In Gijón, the coastline, plant collections and the history of Roman baths offer different ways to explore the city. San Lorenzo city beach, the Jardín Botánico Atlántico, the Museo de las Termas Romanas and a tour of cider-making each offer a different way to get to know the place. If you are looking for accommodation in Gijón, you can first consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay, then plan your visits according to their respective conditions.
Beach and promenade
San Lorenzo is a historic, crescent-shaped city beach near the centre of Gijón. The busy El Muro promenade, almost three kilometres long, runs alongside the beach. Visitors can surf, kayak and windsurf at the beach, as well as play beach volleyball and beach football. The activities on offer may vary depending on conditions and seasonal arrangements, so check what is available before your visit. The promenade and beach activities offer different experiences: a walk along the coast is not the same as a visit focused on water sports or beach games.
The Botanical Garden as a living museum
The Jardín Botánico Atlántico de Gijón is a living museum. Its plant collections are divided into four themed areas: “Entorno Cantábrico”, “Factoría Vegetal”, “Jardín de la Isla” and “Itinerario Atlántico”. The collection comprises 1,724 plant species, including subspecies and varieties; this figure may also change as the collection changes. Self-guided visits can follow recommended routes of varying durations, which can be adapted to the time available. Guided tours are included in the admission price; their organisation may vary seasonally. If you are planning a guided tour, check in advance what is scheduled for your visit.
Roman baths in the historic old town
The Museo de las Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés opened in 1995. It is located at the archaeological site near the coast, in the heart of Gijón’s historic old town. The information panels explain the importance of baths in the Roman world, as well as the function and history of Gijón’s public Roman baths. A walkway follows the baths’ original Pompeian route and offers views of the original bathing rooms: the apodyterium, tepidarium, frigidarium, caldarium and sudationes. This allows you to distinguish the general role of baths in the Roman world from the specific rooms and history of the site in Gijón.
Cider-making and tasting
At Llagar Sidra JR, a guided tour takes visitors through the apple orchard, the cider mill facilities and the cellars. It traces the production process from apples on the tree to bottling. The tour explains how the apples are crushed and pressed, how the juice is extracted, and how it ferments in tanks and barrels. This is followed by a tasting of natural cider poured directly from the barrel. Participation is limited to adults. The visit therefore focuses not only on the finished drink, but also on the individual stages of its production. Confirm tour and tasting options, reservations and seasonal arrangements before travelling.
Walks in the municipality
The network of paths in the municipality of Gijón comprises eight circular routes, with more than fifty kilometres of outdoor walking trails, and has been in place since 1990. The routes bring together the region’s history and traditions with its diverse flora and fauna. These walks therefore offer a different combination from a beach or museum visit: nature meets history and regional traditions. Route conditions and access may change. Before setting out on a particular route, check the current trail conditions and access options.
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