Gijón fuses 5,000 years of history with contemporary energy. Museums, hiking trails, cider houses, cultural itineraries, beaches, cider mills, archaeological sites... There is plenty of everything to make you want to stay or come back soon.

The day begins on San Lorenzo Beach, an extensive stretch of sand that stretches for almost three kilometres, surrounded by the historic Paseo del Muro, an emblem of Gijón's coastal development, passing points of interest such as the “Escalerona”, an architectural icon that symbolises the transition to a modern and functional city. The medieval Church of San Pedro dominates the skyline of an ideal enclave for sports, frequented by surfers and swimmers all year round.

The neighbourhood of Cimadevilla, the historical epicentre, has narrow cobbled streets and lively squares. The Casa Natal de Jovellanos, a 16th century mansion that houses a museum in his honour and an art collection spanning several centuries, is also emblematic. The historic centre has must-sees such as the Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, the largest building in Spain, a former university now converted into a cultural space where you can see exhibitions and go up to the viewpoint of the Torre del Reloj, a 16th century building that was originally used as a prison and today offers privileged views. And then, the Roman Baths of Campo Valdés, testimony to the Roman Empire in the region. The archaeological complex stands out for its state of conservation and the way it blends in with the urban landscape.

The excellent seafood cuisine of the Principality is the calling card of the Llar de Molín Restaurant at the Parador de Gijón. High quality products, with rock fish and seafood from the Cantabrian Sea. Soon or later, cider in any of the cider bars dotted around the city. It is ordered by the bottle, poured and drunk in shared glasses. Each “culín”, in one gulp, just enough to clean the glass and make way for the next. And to go with it, “parrochines”, “chicharinos” and “panchinos”. Or “pixín” with “bugre” and “pulpu” with “berces” or “amariscao”. Because in Gijón there is much more than good fabadas, exquisite Asturian stew or a generous cachopo.

Beyond the routes of the Camino de Santiago and the Vía de la Plata Route, there are many paths to enjoy, on foot or by bicycle: the Cervigón, the Río Ñora, the Peñafrancia, the river Piles or the Vía Verde de La Cañocha. The Atlantic Botanical Garden, with more than 25 hectares, is a living laboratory of biodiversity. And also the Isabel la Católica Park, a meeting point and living space.

Gijón looks to the green, but also to the sea: ten beaches are located throughout the council. The beaches of San Lorenzo, L'Arbeyal and Poniente have many services and recreational areas, and the Rinconín beach allows dogs. And if it's not a beach day, a stroll around the marina or among the Marina de Gijón Yachts.

The perfect area to combine shopping with monumental resources is the Centre. Paseo de Begoña and the streets San Bernardo, Los Moros, Corrida, Covadonga, Menéndez Valdés, Magnus Blikstad, Langreo, Asturias and Álvarez Garaya are an open commercial area where you can still find historic craft shops, Asturian gastronomy products, traditional confectionery, books, ice cream... Manso and Ezcurdia streets, in the L'Arena neighbourhood, have a strong tourist character, especially in summer. In the San Agustín Market you can find fresh, high-quality products that speak of the region's gastronomic wealth: cheeses, ciders and traditional cured meat.

The Cerro de Santa Catalina, located in the heart of Cimavilla, is one of the most emblematic spots. The monumental sculpture by Chillida, In Praise of the Horizon, symbolises the connection between man and nature. The viewpoint offers an exceptional panoramic view from the historic quarter to the marina and the surrounding hills. The present-day urban park once housed defensive installations. The archaeological remains of the Santa Catalina fort are a must-see. It is a meeting point and venue for open-air events such as concerts, theatrical performances and astronomical observations.

A century-old mill houses the Parador de Gijón. Located in the Isabel La Católica Park, one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city, it is surrounded by a magnificent garden with cobbled walkways. The stay invites you to take a stroll to the beach of San Lorenzo or through the seaside neighbourhood of Cimadevilla. The Aquarium and the botanical museum of the Botanical Garden are also very close to the Parador.