Gijon Travel Guide
COMPARE PRICES on all Gijon Hotels
Compare prices and availability on major travel sites with one click
COMPARE PRICES on all Flights to Gijon
Compare prices and availability on major travel sites with one click
473km (294 miles) N of Madrid, 192km (119 miles) W of Santander, 29km (18 miles) E of Oviedo
The major port of Asturias and its largest city is a summer resort and an industrial center rolled into one. As a port, Gijón (pronounced "hee-hohn") is said to predate the Romans. The Visigoths came through here, and in the 8th century the Moors wandered through the area, but none of those would-be conquerors made much of an impression.
The best part of the city to explore is the barrio of Cimadevilla, with its maze of alleys and leaning houses. This section, jutting into the ocean to the north of the new town, spills over an elevated piece of land known as Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina forms a headland at the west end of the Playa San Lorenzo, stretching for about 2.5km (1 1/2 miles); this sandy beach has good facilities. After time at the beach, you can stroll through the Parque Isabel la Católica at its eastern end.
Gijón is short on major monuments. The city was the birthplace of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (1744-1811), one of Spain's most prominent men of letters, as well as an agrarian reformer and liberal economist. Manuel de Godoy, the notorious minister, ordered that Jovellanos be held prisoner for 7 years in Bellver Castle on Majorca. In Gijón his birthplace has been restored and turned into the Museo-Casa Natal de Jovellanos, Plaza de Jovellanos, open July to August Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 1:30pm and 5 to 9pm and Sunday 11am to 2pm and 5 to 8pm; September to June Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 1pm and 5 to 8pm, and Sunday 11am to 2pm and 5 to 7pm. Admission is free.
