It is the capital of the Costa Verde and in it urban development coexists with a privileged natural environmentGijón has something of a large village about it. The friendly nature of its people, the absence of stress, and the enduring presence of the Asturian landscape, even in its most avant-garde neighborhoods, make it all the more charming. It is bordered to the north by the Cantabrian Sea, to the east by the municipality of Villaviciosa, and to the west by Carreño. To the south lie the municipalities of Siero, Corvera, and Llanera.
How to get to Gijón
Gijón occupies a privileged geographical position on the Asturian map, Just 30 minutes from Oviedo and Avilés, via the "Y" motorway, a major artery of the Asturian metropolis, and half an hour from Asturias airport, which maintains daily connections with the main cities of Madrid, Barcelona, La Coruña, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Paris and London.
We can highlight two large road axes:
· From south to north, it is defined by the National Highway N-630 Ruta de la Plata (Gijón-Sevilla) and parallel to it the A-66 motorway (León-Gijón) allows easy movement from the center of the peninsula.
· The East-West axis, through the entire Cantabrian Coast, is articulated by the National Highway N-634 (Irún-Santiago de Compostela).
Distances
Oviedo 28 km. // Avilés 25 km. // Ribadesella 60 km.
History of Gijón
The Gijón past has enough archaeological and documentary motifs. On the Campa Torres, vestiges of a large military settlement of the first century of our era. There is also data of an important Roman settlement, as well it is seen in the ruins of the thermal complex of Campo Valdés, with defensive walls around. Some of the objects and ruins that appeared in these excavations are currently exhibited in the Clock Tower in the neighborhood of Cimadevilla. In between these two stages the toponym Gegio made its appearance, from whose ablative (Gegione) derives the current name of the city. Later Gjon would be battlefield in the dynastic wars Initiated between Enrique de Trastámara and his stepbrother Pedro I El Cruel in the second half of the 14th century.
Under the rule of The Catholic kings the town grows demographically and commercially. But it would be in the XVIII and XIX centuries, always under the tutelage and leadership of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, when the city experienced a true modernizing leap. From the plan of improvements that this enlightened began the city takes on true dimensions with an urban widening, layout of streets, boulevards, etc. that were gradually eating land to wetlands and sand.
The implementation of the railroad in Asturian territory also benefited the growth of Gijón, which in parallel grew in port facilities with the great Port of El Musel. Railway and port, together with the coal boom in the center of Asturias, turned Gijón into one of the industrial references of northern Spain. During the twentieth century the city lived in conflict with the 34 revolution and several episodes of the Spanish Civil War that led to a hard and long postwar. Gijón came out vigorously in the 50 decade thanks to the metallurgical industryFirst Uninsa, then Ensidesa, later Aceralia. Thousands of working families from other parts of the Iberian Peninsula sought and found their new homes here, sparking a demographic boom that also led to a very diverse social landscape. Gijón prides itself on being a cosmopolitan, progressive, and culture-loving urban center. And with good reason. It is the birthplace of Jovellanos and has a active museum network located in buildings restored for the enjoyment of heritage and art: International Art Centre Palacio de Revillagigedo, Piñole Museum, Evaristo Valle Museum, Barjola Museum, etc.
Our favorite Gijón museums
Free museums, museums dedicated to Asturian painters, to the railway, to contemporary art, museums… Read more
Currently, Gijón also stands out with a wide range of commercial and services, without losing sight of the technical studies and the technological advances that are developed in its University campus. In tourism, Gijón is not ahead of other sectors, thanks to a wide cultural and landscape offer in the council, with three large urban beaches of San Lorenzo, Poniente and Arbeyal, these last two artificial, which guarantee bathing in the Cantabrian
In the old town of Cimadevilla you can contrast another of the historical facets of this great village: the sailor, in a neighborhood where architecture looks out to sea and in which Eduardo Chillida placed his Praise of the Horizon. An immense sculpture that currently serves as a symbol of the city and stands on the Hill of Santa Catalina, a promontory in which local history also begins with ancient settlements.
Sporting Gijon
El Sporting Gijon is the heart of a city that He made football his hallmark and spread it throughout half of Asturias.They play at El Molinón, the oldest stadium in Spanish football, and boast Mareo, an enviable youth academy that nurtures generations of talented youngsters. Sporting's history has something of an epic about it: a golden age, more than forty seasons in the First Division, and many battles fought in the Second. Their pitch has been the stage for legendary footballers, matches remembered for decades, and promotions celebrated in grand style. Always accompanied by The Mareona, a tireless fanbase which turns every trip into a party and fills El Molinón, whatever the weather and whether the team is in the First or Second Division.
Sporting Gijon
As their anthem says, Real Sporting de Gijón is a club with a "brilliant history." More than one hundred years… Read more
What is not to be missed in Gijón?
Cimadevilla neighborhood.
Cimadevilla, the neighborhood of the essences
The citizen charisma of Gijón is lived doubly in one of its most essential neighborhoods. Cimadevilla always… Read more
Praise of the Horizon
Praise of the Chillida Horizon
It is a work of great proportions erected in 1990 on the Cerro de Santa Catalina in… Read more
Roman baths of Campo Valdés
Gijón Roman Baths
The hot springs of Gijón they are inside the roman wall the urban area of Gijón has been raised,… Read more
Festivals, fairs and cultural events in Gijón
· Antroxu. Carnival, in February/March.
· San Juan, week of June 24.
· Gijón Book Fair · FELIX, end of June.
Xixón Book Fair 2025
29 Gijón bookstores are participating and… Read more
· Indigenous Games Olympiad, June.
· Black Week, mid-July.
XXXVIII Black Week 2025
It will take place from the 4th to… Read more
· Arcu Atlánticu Festival, end of July.
Arcu Atlánticu Festival 2025
The 10th edition will take place… Read more
· Semana Grande, mid-August.
Great Week Gijón 2025
Gijón is in its Week… Read more
· International Folk Festival, July/August.
· Traditional Asturian Song Competition, early August.
· Asturias Day in Gijón, first Sunday in August.
Oktoberfest 2025
The 12th Oktoberfest… Read more
· Natural Cider Festival, end of August.
Gijón Cider Festival 2024
The 33rd Festival of the… Read more
· White Night of Gijón, end of September.
White Night in Gijón 2025
In Gijón/Xixón the Municipal Foundation… Read more
Markets in the city of Gijón
Sunday trail in the vicinity of the Molinón.
The trail of Gijón
The Gijón market is undoubtedly the largest and busiest street market in the Principality. He stands up... Read more
Ecological and artisan market, 2º weekends of each month in the Plaza Mayor Ayto.
Ecological and artisan market of Gijón
The organic and artisan market is a shopping alternative far from the classic commercial circuits... Read more
Tourist Offices of Gijón
· Infogijón Escalerona
Local and regional tourist information office open during peak season.
San Lorenzo Beach. Staircase 4. 985 34 17 71
· Infogijón Casa Paquet
Local and regional tourist information office open all year round.
Fermín García Bernardo Square, s/n. 985 34 17 71
Opening hours:
· From November 2 to May 9, 10:00-14:30 and 16:30-19:30 hours.
· Holy Week 10:00 a.m.-20:00 p.m.
· From May 1st to November 1st and Constitution Day long weekend 10:00-20:00 hours.
· August 10:00-21:00 hours.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
