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Gijón

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Charming Coastal City with Soul

Gijón is a coastal city in northern Spain where the sea meets historic neighborhoods and modern parks. The port area has been rebuilt with wide promenades, cafes and bike paths that run along the waterfront. Old towns preserve stone buildings and local traditions while new cultural spaces attract visitors year-round. Beaches are close to town, offering quiet stretches of sand and views over green hills. Markets sell fresh seafood and regional cheeses. The city balances everyday life with easy access to nature and history without feeling crowded or touristy.

City in Spain
Climate zone: Mild oceanic

Mild oceanic: Marine-influenced climates with cool summers, mild winters and frequent precipitation year-round, typical of western coasts at mid-latitudes.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 8.0
General Safety:8
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:7
Tap water:9
Read details
Tourist English: 3/5
Many younger locals and hotel staff speak some English, but outside of tourist spots, English might be limited. Basic Spanish phrases can be very helpful.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Gijón Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Great for seaside city life and beaches. Walk coastal promenades, relax on sandy beaches, explore historic quarters and enjoy Asturian food.
Place score
7.3
Best at:
Beaches
7
Spotless
7
Fine dining
7
Local cuisine
7
Street food
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
💻 8
Digital Nomads
Spain – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking: Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.
La Tomatina
(August)
A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa
(March/April)
Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other: Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Gijón, Spain
🌤️
Jan
🌤️
Feb
🌤️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌤️
May
🌤️
Jun
🌤️
Jul
🌤️
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
🌤️
Nov
🌤️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Beach season is July to September; the Atlantic stays cool even in August
Rain falls year-round, wettest October to January, driest in July and August

Why travel to Gijón?

Gijón offers a unique mix of coastal relaxation and cultural exploration. You can wander through its historic old town, chill at the sandy beaches and savor Asturian cuisine, especially the local cider. The city is known for its friendly locals, but English isn't widely spoken, so a bit of Spanish helps. The weather can be unpredictable, with frequent rain, so pack accordingly.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Campo Valdés Roman Baths Museum
  • 2 Elogio del Horizonte
  • 3 Museo del Ferrocarril
  • 4 Palacio de Revillagigedo
  • 5 Plaza Mayor
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Parque San Pedro de los Arcos
  • 2 Estadio El Molinón-Enrique Castro “Quini”
  • 3 Mariña
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Playa de San Lorenzo
  • 2 Parque de Isabel la Católica
  • 3 Calle Monte Deva
  • 4 Faru de Peñes
  • 5 Calle Picos de Europa
  • 6 Playa de La Ñora
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Mercado del Sur
  • 2 Calle Corrida
  • 3 El Corte Inglés
  • 4 Mercado del Fontán
  • 5 C.C. Los Fresnos
🎈Events
  • Semana Negra (Black Week Festival)
  • Gijón International Film Festival
  • Fiestas de Begoña
  • Natural Cider Festival
  • Arbeyal Beach Festival
  • San Pedro Festival
  • Christmas Market
  • Carnival of Gijón
  • Semana Santa (Holy Week)
  • Jazz Festival

Knowledge before you go

  • Visit the historic Cimavilla quarter for scenic views and culture.
  • Explore the Roman baths and the iconic Elogio del Horizonte sculpture on Santa Catalina Hill.
  • Try local Asturian cider at a sidrería for an authentic culinary experience.
  • Walk along Playa de San Lorenzo and enjoy the lively seaside promenade with local surfers.

How to travel to Gijón

The nearest airport is Asturias Airport (OVD), about 40 km away. There are direct buses to Gijón. You can also take trains or buses from major Spanish cities like Madrid, Oviedo and Santander.

Access summary

  • From Asturias Airport (OVD): Direct ALSA bus or taxi, about 30–45 minutes.
  • From Oviedo: Frequent buses or FEVE rail to Gijón, roughly 30–40 minutes.
  • From Madrid: Long-distance ALSA buses or train connections, usually 5–7 hours.

Where to stay in Gijón

Gijón offers a mix of hotels, hostels and vacation rentals. There are cozy boutique hotels in the old town and more modern options near the beach. Budget and mid-range choices are plentiful.

How to get around Gijón

Walking and biking are great in Gijón. There is a good public bus network and taxis are readily available. Many attractions are close to each other, especially in the old town and near the beach.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-30 %
Daily expenses in Gijón are around 30% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£56
£116
£293
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£23
£56
£135
🍝 Food per day
£27
£52
£132
🚕 Transportation per day
£6
£8
£26
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£13
🍟 Fast food combo
£11
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£8.50
☕ Cappuccino
£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£2.50
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.40
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£75
🤧 Cold medication
£9.50
💇 Basic haircut
£9.50

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Gijón is a safe city with low crime rates. Normal precautions apply, such as keeping an eye on your belongings in busy areas and avoiding poorly lit streets at night.
Health & Medical
8
Medical facilities are modern and easily accessible. Pharmacies are common and emergency care is good. No special health concerns for visitors, beyond normal travel hygiene.
Accessi­bility
7
The city is generally accessible, with ramps and adapted facilities in many public areas. Some historic areas like Cimavilla have cobblestone streets, which may be challenging.
Tap water
9
Tap water is safe to drink and public fountains are available in parks and along promenades. Bring a reusable water bottle to refill during walks.

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