How to Spend a Weekend in Gijón, Spain: A Local Inspired Itinerary
Looking to spend an incredible weekend in a Spanish hidden gem? Here’s your ultimate guide to Gijón, Spain — where I spent a gorgeous 3-day weekend trip from London, steal this itinerary!
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When you think of Spain, you probably picture palm-lined beaches, flamenco, and bustling tapas bars. But northern Spain? That’s a different story. And Gijón? Well, that’s a story I can’t wait to tell you.
I didn’t know what to expect from Gijón. Honestly, I hadn’t even heard much about it before I arrived.
But in just a few hours in, I was walking through gorgeous city centre beaches and storybook colourful streets, eating the freshest seafood of my life, watching locals pour cider with Olympic-level skill, and dancing at a folk festival like I’d lived there for years.
Gijón surprised me in the best possible way — and if you’re planning a weekend escape in Europe, this Northern Spanish gem should be at the top of your list.
Here’s what to get up to while you’re here, day by day.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, and honest hotel and restaurant reviews.
P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Gijón in 48 Hours (or 72): Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore on Spain’s Northern Coast
Need-to-Knows for Your Gijón Weekend
🌍 Why Visit Gijón: If you’re after a mix of nature, culture, beach days, and the kind of local charm that makes you remember why you love travel— Gijón is the perfect weekend trip destination.
From my perspective it has a great slow-travel energy — plus incredible food, seaside views, and experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Spain (like their cider traditions).
📍Where is Gijón?: Gijón is a coastal city in the region of Asturias, in northern Spain, about 30 minutes from Asturias Airport.
🧳 What to Pack for Gijón:
- Light layers for the changing coastal weather
- A waterproof jacket 🔗 (Asturias is called “Green Spain” for a reason)
- Comfy shoes for cobbled streets and coastal walks
- A swimsuit for beach dips or spa time
- A crossbody bag 🔗 for exploring markets and sidra bars
- A plug adaptor 🔗 (Spain uses Type C and F sockets)
✈️ Getting To Gijón: The easiest route is flying into Asturias Airport (OVD) — about 1.5 hours from London. From the airport, it’s about a 30-minute taxi or bus ride to Gijón city centre — taxis are readily available right outside the terminal, so you can easily hop in on arrival.
🇪🇸 Language & Currency: The official language is Spanish (English isn’t widely spoken here outside of the tourist sites, so you’ll need Google Translate), and the currency is the Euro (€).
💬 P.S. Gijón is pronounced “Hee-hone” — don’t worry, I said it wrong too at first!
🚗 Getting Around: Gijón is super easy to explore on foot — especially around the centre and beach areas — but you can also rent bikes for a breezy coastal ride or use PideTaxi for taxis to get to some of the farther out spots on the itinerary (like the botanical garden).
👥 People & Culture: People in northern Spain — especially in Asturias — are famously warm and relaxed, as confirmed by our incredible local guide and every local we met during our trip.
🏨 Best Hotel: Munna Hotel Boutique — stylish, modern, boutique and right in the heart of Gijón.
I recommend staying here for its superb city centre location (right next to the beach), lovely rooms and great breakfast. 🔗 Check prices & availability for your visit and be sure to book in advance!
🏛️ Best Tour/Experience: Trying their famous cider at a local Sidrerías like Tierra Astur (on the itinerary).
🗓️ Your 3-Day Gijón Itinerary
P.S. To make exploring easier, I’ve linked the Google Maps locations for every spot mentioned — just pull up this blog post while you’re out and about in Gijón and you’ll be good to go!
Friday, Day 1: Historic Sights, Sidra Rituals & Sunset Views
Morning Arrival in Gijón:
If you can I’d aim to land in Asturias for mid-afternoon and making your way to Gijón via a taxi from Asturias airport.
Check in to the Munna Hotel Boutique, drop your bags off, and get ready to explore!
Afternoon Stroll Through the Old Town:
Now it’s time to see the city. Start at Las Letronas — a famous letter sign by the port. From here, you can wind your way through:
- Museo Casa Natal de Jovellanos – Historic home of the famous Spanish thinker
- Termas Romanas de Campo Valdés – Gijón’s ancient Roman baths with coastal views from above
- Barrio de Cimavilla – The city’s colourful old fishing quarter (the background to Las Letronas and next to Puerto Deportivo)
- Cerro de Santa Catalina & Elogio del Horizonte – The city’s beautiful clifftop park with iconic sculptures and panoramic views
Outside of its landmarks, I found that just wandering the streets and admiring the architecture was an experience on its own — the city has an incredible mix of Roman ruins, colourful Asturian homes, and neoclassical & modernist facades.
Evening: Dinner & Cider at Tierra Astur Poniente
For dinner on your first night I suggest tucking into a local Sidrerías, or cider house, where Gijón locals gather to enjoy sidra, the region’s signature cider—famously poured from above the head to enhance its flavour, and yes, you have to try it for yourself…
We had an incredible and local Asturian dinner at Tierra Astur — highly recommend ordering their Tostadas, crispy tortillas with various toppings, Croquetas and Cachopo, a breaded veal dish filled with ham and cheese.
And of course, a pint of cider…
Saturday, Day 2: Gardens, Seafood & Gijón Folk
Morning: Atlantic Botanical Garden
After a travel day, I suggest starting with a relaxed morning in Gijón’s Jardín Botánico Atlántico, a peaceful break from the city with super dreamy trails and a lovely maze too. Don’t forget to take photos!
Midday: Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
Right across the road from Jardín Botánico Atlántico you’ll find the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultural, Gijón’s cultural centre and former-university, great for learning about the history of the city—with panoramic views, and a beautiful cafe to match.
Lunch: Los Pisones
If you like seafood, you’ll be in heaven for your next stop.
Tucked just outside the main tourist routes of Gijón is the mouthwatering Los Pisones.
They specialise in simple and high-quality seafood (the Spanish way) and if you’re after a proper taste of Asturias—this needs to be on your list.
If you’re here with a few people I suggest going for the seafood platter. Some of the best seafood I’ve had in my life.
Afternoon: Muséu Pueblu d’Asturies (Museum of the Asturian People)
If you’ve done lunch at Los Pisones right — at this point, you’ll need to walk it all off.
I suggest doing so at the Museum of Asturian People, where you’ll get a true deep dive into Asturian life and people, which has its own rich and completely unique culture.
We explored old cider presses, bagpipe music, even a game of traditional bowling while we were there!
Evening: Folk Festival Fun or Night Out in Gijón
We just so happened to time our visit perfectly with Gijón’s International Folk Festival, but there’s tons of nightlife options here no matter what your stroke is.
Have a fab cocktail night at Varsovia or go dancing and listen to live music at La Vida Alegre for the full Gijón nightlife experience.
Day 3: Stunning Gijón Architecture, Brunch, and Beach Bliss
Morning: Architecture & Cultural Walk
I know you started off your trip with a city walk, but it’s worth one more.
Take one of Gijón’s Cultural Walks and get lost one more time in the city’s modernist and Art Nouveau buildings.
Brunch: Madalenas de Colores
Wandering beautiful Northern Spanish streets tends to make one hungry….I’ve heard.
I highly recommend going to Madalenas de Colores after your walk for a well-deserved, and yes, Instagrammable, brunch.
The staff here is great and the brunch menu is delicious. Just be sure to have Google Translate handy!
Afternoon: Playa Time
To wrap up your stunning time in Gijón, it’s time to enjoy the beaches properly.
Gijón’s main three are Playa de San Lorenzo, Playa de Poniente, and Playa del Arbeyal, where you can spend your final hours reading on the sand, having a stroll or a dip if you fancy…
And once you’re done I recommend Pantai Beach Bar for one last seaside cocktail.
📍 A Few More Bits to Do if You Have Time
- Gijón Thermal Spa — Relax with a view of the Bay of Biscay
- Revillagigedo Palace — A free museum and art space in a gorgeous old building, you’ll definitely see it while you’re walking out and about
- Mercado del Sur — A local market in the city centre great for browsing local produce, cheese, and souvenirs
- Cider Tasting Tour — Try different sidras and learn how to pour like a local
- Day trip to Oviedo — The capital of Asturias, just 30 minutes away
Final Thoughts on Gijón, Spain
Gijón really is one of those destinations that sneaks up on you. It’s not flashy or overly polished, but that’s exactly what makes it special in my opinion.
With its coastal charm, rich traditions, and genuine local energy, it’s a weekend destination you’ll be glad you added to your list.
And if you’re looking to skip the crowds and experience a totally different side of Spain, Gijón might just might be your perfect escape.
Happy travels,
