Gijón
A port city on Spain's northern coast with a city beach, an old fishing quarter and traditional cider houses.
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Gijón is a port city on Spain's northern coast, in the region of Asturias, and the largest city in the region. Its center is compact enough to walk. The city beach, Playa de San Lorenzo, runs along the bay beside a sea-wall promenade lined with cafés. On the headland at the edge of the center, the old fishing quarter of Cimadevilla has steep lanes, sea views and seafood bars near the port. Above the port, the Cerro de Santa Catalina hill park offers wide views over the water.
Visitors come for the beach and the Asturian food. Cider houses, where cider is poured from a height into the glass, are a local custom you can try in the old town. Oviedo, the regional capital, is a short train ride inland and makes a practical day trip. Late spring through early autumn is the warmest time for the beach.
Gijón in five
- Order sidra the Asturian wayCider is poured from a height into a wide glass, in small amounts. Drink it at once and share the bottle. Cimavilla and the streets behind the port have the cider houses.
- Take the train to Oviedo for the old townLocal trains run between Gijón and Oviedo in roughly 30–40 minutes, so Oviedo works as a half-day trip from a Gijón base.Oviedo travel guide
- Walk Cimavilla and climb to the Elogio del HorizonteCimavilla is the old fishing quarter on its own headland; the Chillida sculpture on the hill above has the best view over the bay and sunset.
- Check the Laboral Ciudad de la CulturaThe university complex west of the center is one of Asturias's most striking buildings. Check opening hours and guided visit times before you go.
- Plan for rain, because it keeps Asturias greenShowers are common, even in summer. Keep a cider house, museum or Oviedo trip as a backup for each beach day.
Things to do in Gijón
See all attractions in Gijón
Need to know
- Airport
- Asturias (OVD), about 40 km west; buses and taxis to Gijón
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Oviedo, León and Madrid; a short drive from Oviedo
- Getting around
- Walkable center; city buses; a car for Cabo Peñas and the Picos
- Best base
- Cimavilla or the streets near Playa de San Lorenzo
- Time needed
- 1–2 days in the city; longer as a base for Asturias
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Wet, mildJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, mild
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Wet, mildFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, mild
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°ShowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Showers, greenAprilRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, green
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, greenerMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, greener
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Beach, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, festivalsJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Cider festivalAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cider festival
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, wetOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Wet, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
Average daily high and low in Gijón, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Semana Negra de Gijón
Right now in Gijón
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Gijón
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°6°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue13°8°33%Tuesday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed13°5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu15°5°0%Thursday: Clear. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri16°5°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat16°7°18%Saturday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sun21°7°65%Sunday: Fog. High 21°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 65%.
Updated 06:44 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulInterceltic Festival of AvilésAsturias, a day trip
- JulSemana Negra de GijónGijón
Day trips by train
- Oviedoabout 30–40 minutes by trainPre-Romanesque churches and the cider boulevard.Read the guide
- Picos de Europaabout 1.5–2 hours by carLimestone peaks and gorge walks.Read the guide
- Cabo Peñasabout 25–35 minutes by carCliffs and a lighthouse on the nearest wild headland.
Before you go to Gijón
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Rules for Gijón, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers are fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System.
- The emergency number across Spain is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive.
- Spain uses 230 V sockets with Type C and F plugs. Bring an adapter if your devices use another plug.
Plan around Gijón
Cities, coast and trains across the country
Read the guideAsturiasGreen coast, mountains and the Picos de Europa
Read the guideOviedoPre-Romanesque churches and cider on Calle Gascona
Read the guidePicos de EuropaLimestone peaks and gorge walks, 1.5–2 hours inland
Read the guideGetting around SpainTrains and buses in the north
Read the guideGijón FAQ
Is Gijón worth visiting?
Yes, for a seaside city with a real local feel: a city beach, a fishing quarter, cider houses and straightforward seafood. It is less monumental than Oviedo or Santiago, so pair it with them.
Gijón or Oviedo: which is better to stay in?
Stay in Gijón for the beach, sea air and restaurants, and visit Oviedo by train. Stay in Oviedo if the old town and cider street matter more than the coast. The two are only 30–40 minutes apart.
How many days do you need in Gijón?
One full day covers the beach, Cimavilla and a cider house. Two nights let you add Oviedo or Cabo Peñas, and three or more suit a base for the Picos de Europa.
Is Gijón good for beaches?
Playa de San Lorenzo is a long city beach with surf schools, though it is tidal and the Atlantic water stays cool. Smaller coves lie east and west of the city. Check the flags before swimming.
What should you eat in Gijón?
Fabada, the Asturian bean stew, cachopo, a breaded stuffed veal or pork cutlet, fish and shellfish, and local cheeses with cider. Many cider houses serve generous portions, so share.