Atlantic coast of Spain. Gijon. Sights of Gijon - what to see. A complete guide to the iconic places of El Molinon Stadium

In Gijon, my dream came true - to swim in a real ocean. It's the location settlement on the Atlantic coast was one of the main reasons for choosing the travel route. In addition to the beach, the city has places to take a walk - ancient quarters, which, however, were badly damaged during the civil war in the last century (Franco used artillery during the battles). Much has been rebuilt, but atmospheric places can still be found. Moreover, everything that tourists need is located compactly. The promenade, stretching along the beach, leads exactly to the small peninsula of Cimadevilla - the historical center of Gijon, where people settled back in Roman times.

Gijon is the most Big city Autonomous region of Asturias, home to 275 thousand people. The administrative center of the region is located in neighboring Oviedo. It took 5 and a half hours to get from Madrid to the Atlantic coast - that’s how long the train took. Moreover, we covered half the distance in an hour, reached Leon, and then the train drove back, turned around in a semicircle and leisurely headed towards Gijon. A few hours later, from the train window I saw the territory of mining enterprises that surround the seaside town. Despite industry, tourism is also developing here, but I became convinced of this a little later...

Gijon beach can surprise even local residents. In a matter of hours, it either goes under water or is exposed for hundreds of meters. And all because of the ocean tides

A small illustration on the theme of the tide. This is what the beach looks like at noon

The same place a few hours later. The highest water level was observed around 6 p.m. But closer to sunset, the ocean gives way again..

Over three days in September, the daytime temperature rose to 25 degrees at best. Sea water warmed up to 20 degrees. However, this did not bother anyone. People enjoyed swimming even at this temperature.

Church of the Apostle Peter (1955) Built on the site of a 15th century temple destroyed during the Civil War

Gijon Beach is popular with locals. In general, the city does not look like some kind of tourist reserve like Palma. 90 percent of holidaymakers on the shore are Spaniards.

Plaza Mayor, where the mayor's office is located (administrative building behind the scenes)

Cimadevilla Peninsula. The dominant height over the city is the hill of St. Catalina. The summit is decorated with a strange monument - “Praise to the Horizon”. For some reason, it was here that I met two Russian companies at once; I didn’t notice any more compatriots in Gijon.

Industrial port in the distance

Once upon a time there was a battery here that protected the city. Now it is a children's playground.

But the guns remained too

A party place that is always filled with groups of different ages. People are endlessly discussing the latest events, which is why there is an unimaginable commotion on the street.

Those gathered are actively cracking seeds...

...and drink cider. For Asturias, this is the iconic national drink. It is poured in a special way: you need to raise your hand as high as possible so that the liquid flows into the glass in a thin stream

Monument made of cider bottles in one of the central squares

There are a lot of elderly people in the city. Sometimes it seemed that this was a specialized resort for those over 60...

The figure of the Savior adorns the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1922)

Near the historical peninsula there is now a yacht port

Palace of Revillagigedo (1704-21)

On the left is a medieval fortress tower. Architects of the 18th century built a copy of it and connected two structures to create a palace.

Monument to the hero of the war against the Moors, Don Pelayo (1891). It was Astruria that became the main center of resistance and the first region liberated from the Arabs. Don Pelayo first led the guerrilla movement, and eventually proclaimed an independent kingdom.

If you wish, you can see the Russian tricolor

And again Plaza Mayor, where the market was held that day. Now the traders are already dismantling their tents. And the building in the center with the clock is the city hall

Iglesia de San Juan

The inscription on the fence: “Democracy equals dictatorship of capital.” And the signature... something about people's republic...

A woman with a metal detector walks around an empty beach

The bus station of the Alsa company, from which I left for another city on the Atlantic coast - Santander...

They speak only in superior tones. It is the largest, oldest and greenest municipality in the Principality.

Gijon is located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay over an area of almost 200 square kilometers, 600 meters above sea level, on the site of a former fishing village founded by the Celts in the 5th century BC.

Today it's modern seaport with a population approaching 300 thousand people. One of the most successful metropolises Northern Spain s good developed infrastructure, it is famous for its bright nightlife and crazy fiestas on weekends.

Weather in Gijon

This activity is facilitated by the mild Atlantic climate. It never gets as hot as the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. The air temperature in summer rarely rises above 28 degrees, and in winter it does not drop below plus 5. However, the weather in Gijon is often rainy. Swimming season lasts from June to August.

In other months the ocean is cool. The water temperature in Gijon ranges from 12 to 15 degrees, but this does not bother fans surfing carry out your training.

Beaches of Gijon

Although Gijon is not the most popular beach resort, there is great opportunity spend time on the coast. The best beaches Gijona is considered Arbeyal, Poniente and, of course, San Lorenzo. Stretching for almost 3.5 kilometers along the sea, San Lorenzo is more suitable for extreme sports.

The beach water area is characterized by strong currents and sudden changes in depth. Poniente Beach, with sand brought from the Sahara itself, is the place to go for those who love noisy entertainment. The holiday is traditionally celebrated here San Juan, bonfires are burning all night and thousands of vacationers are walking, a cider festival is taking place. For relaxing holiday you can't find anything better than Arbeyal. By the way, everyone beaches Gijona awarded the highest distinction – Blue flag.

Port of Gijon El Musel – one of the largest in Spain. Its first dock was built at the end of the 15th century. After another two centuries, Gijon received the right to trade with the Spanish colonies in America. And at the end of the 19th century, in the port of Gijon, for the first time in Spain unloaded the coal. Nowadays, about 3 thousand ships call at the port of Gijon annually. And its cargo turnover exceeds 17 million tons. El Musel is also visited by cruise ships of any displacement.

Sights of Gijon

It is considered the largest building in Spain. The campus area is 11 hectares. And the height of the central tower is 130 meters. This is a quarter higher than the famous London Big Ben. The university was opened in 1946 to provide higher education children of workers who died in coal mines. Today it houses the Center for Arts and Industrial Creativity, one of the faculties of the University. Oviedo, High School of Performing Arts and Conservatory.

And the university bell tower is equipped Observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings. This is where the most spectacular photos of Gijon come from.

One of the most scenic spots is the Isabel Park in Gijon, named after Queen Isabella I of Castile, or Isabella the Catholic. It was laid out in 1941 in a swampy area by landscape architect Ramon Ortiz.

Today, 15 hectares of the park are occupied by attractions, flower beds, sculptures and a large pond in which swans, geese and ducks nest, and peacocks strut along its banks.

Behind thrills it's better to go to the Plaza de toros de El Bibio in Gijon. This is a valid arena for bullfight . It was built in 1888 and seats almost 10 thousand spectators!The main events take place here in August, when the city celebrates the feast of its patroness, Madonna of Begogna. In 1992, El Bibio Arena was declared a historical and architectural monument.

Lately, the city of Gijon has attracted everyone more tourists not only the attractions of Gijon, but also favorable offers for rental housing.

Gijon is a working-class city on the Atlantic coast in the Spanish region of Asturias. Attractions in Gijon will tell tourists about the industrial era in Northern Spain and the city's close relationship with the ocean. However, in last years the city has been transformed and is ready to surprise every visitor with well-groomed parks and squares, pedestrian streets and interesting cultural attractions.

Sights of Gijon

What to do in Gijon?

Relax on one of the city beaches. Poniente Beach has a large sandbar, while San Lorenzo Beach is suitable for those who like to swim.
Go to football. The local team, Sporting Gijon, does not claim the title of champion, but plays in the first league, which means that the giants of Spanish football often come here. The stadium seats 30,000 people and is always full.
Start your day by watching the sunrise on the beach.
Try thalassotherapy treatments in the eastern part of Poniente beach.
Fill up on sweets at the Punto Caramelo store, which offers a large assortment of cakes, pastries, cookies and other confectionery delights.
Try your hand at surfing - on the beach of San Lorenzo you can get lessons and show off your boarding skills.
Paraglide over the cliffs of Gijon.
Try local delicacies - at La Gijonesa you can taste different types of wines and cheeses.
Enjoy the rain in outdoor pool heated in the BNFit Thalasso spa.
Try Asturian cider, which is considered the most significant local drink.

RestaurantsGijona: where to eat and drink

Near the Cantabrian Sea, the climate is cooler than anywhere else on the Spanish mainland, so the local population prefers a high-protein diet. White bean stew, bacon, chorizo, pork shoulder and seafood are popular here. Cider is an ideal accompaniment to lunch - in Gijon it is tart and not very carbonated, and is present on the menu of any restaurant. Cider is also used in some recipes, such as a sauce for baked hake.

Casa Zabala. The best place with seafood and fish dishes. Average check: 50 euros.
Casa Gerardo. Restaurant with traditional Asturian cuisine, owned by the Moran family. Several generations have passed on their recipes to prepare and improve the best local dishes. The restaurant has a Michelin star, so it is always crowded. Average check: 55 euros.
Mercante. Opens beautiful view to the port and offers a menu of plenty of fish, seafood and salads. Average check: 30 euros.

(Photo© pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

How do we save up to 25% on hotels?

Everything is very simple - we use a special search engine RoomGuru for 70 hotel and apartment booking services with the best price.

Bonus for renting apartments 2100 rubles

Instead of hotels, you can book an apartment (on average 1.5-2 times cheaper) on AirBnB.com, a very convenient worldwide and well-known apartment rental service with a bonus of 2100 rubles upon registration

The city of Gijon in Spain is located on the coast Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the autonomy of Asturias. For a long time Gijon was industrial and shopping center countries with a well-developed metallurgical industry and large reserves natural resources. By the end of the last century, tourism began to actively develop in Gijon, which significantly replenishes the city budget.

History of the city of Gijon

On the land where the city is located today, the first settlement appeared in the 6th century BC. In the 1st century BC. e. it was conquered by the Romans. The influence of Roman culture is still clearly visible in the architecture of the city, especially in the mansions between San Lorenzo and the marina.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gijon was captured by the Visigoths, and then by the Arabs, who established their rule until 722. Legend has it that at this time the head of the tiny kingdom of Pelayo opposed the Arab governor. As a result, Pelayo was forced to flee to the caves of Asturias. It was there that the Madonna appeared to him and convinced him of the need to fight and defend the Christian faith.

Whether the Madonna appeared or not, in 722 Pelayo's army defeated the Arabs at Covadonga. This event marked the beginning of the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula by Christians. In 1395, a terrible fire practically wiped out Gijon in Spain from the face of the earth. However, it was restored quite quickly.

In 1480, the city began to build a port on the northern coast. In the middle of the 16th century, it was fortified, and at the end of the 18th century, active trade with the West Indies was already carried out through it. Today it is one of the main ports of the country.

Climatic conditions

Anyone planning to visit this city is probably interested in what the weather is like in Gijon. Spain is famous for its mild Atlantic climate. Gijon is no exception: it does not get as hot as other parts of the Iberian Peninsula. In summer the air rarely warms up above +28 °C, and in winter the temperature does not drop below +5 °C. The only thing that can spoil your holiday is the rain, which happens quite often in these places. The swimming season is quite short - from June to August. The rest of the time, the water in the ocean does not warm up above +15 °C.

Beach holiday

Gijon in Spain is not considered the most popular beach resort. But this type of recreation is actively developing, and, probably, in the coming years the city will catch up with its more famous competitors. The best city beaches are Poniente, Arbeyal and San Lorenzo, which stretches for almost three and a half kilometers along the coast.

However, "San Lorenzo" is more suitable for amateurs extreme recreation. There are quite strong currents and large differences in depth. Fans of noisy entertainment should choose Poniente Beach. The purest sand was brought here from the Sahara Desert. The festival of San Juan is celebrated annually on this beach: bonfires are lit all night and thousands of vacationers and townspeople have fun. There is also a fun cider festival here.

For a calm family vacation Arbeyal Beach is ideal. It should be noted that all the beaches of the city have been awarded the highest distinction - the Blue Flag.

Gijon in Spain: city attractions

It's hard to believe, but just a hundred years ago, in the place where it is located today modern city, there was a tiny fishing village. Gijon in Spain is known as an actively developing resort, the cultural center of the country with many interesting historical and architectural objects. There are ancient places of worship and museums, parks and squares, sports facilities and many other interesting places. But usually ancient city Tourists begin to explore Gijon in Spain, a photo of which you can see in this article, from its historical part - Cimadevilla. We will not break tradition either.

Historic city center - Cimadevilla district

It is located in the fishing village of Cimadevilla, on a peninsula that bisects the port. Most of the local streets are lined with cobblestones. Many buildings have been restored in recent years. On the Santa Catalina hill, opposite the sea, there is an amazing sculpture “Praise” by Eduardo Chillida. It is a symbol of this part of the city.

In Cimadeville you can visit the clock tower, which today houses the historical archives. In addition, the Roman baths located in the old part of the city are popular among tourists.

Museum of the Asturian People

One of the most interesting cultural centers in Gijon (Spain) is the Museum of the Asturian People, which introduces guests to the culture and peculiarities of life of the local population. This ethnographical museum began work in 1968 and during this time has earned recognition not only from citizens, but also from numerous tourists.

The museum has an unusual layout - it is located in the park and consists of several separate pavilions, each of which houses its own unique collection.

Jovellanos House Museum

Tourists who love excursions are recommended to visit the Jovellanos House Museum. This is a beautiful palace-type building, which for many years belonged to the family of the famous Spanish writer. The museum was opened in 1971, and today it houses a large collection of works of art. Conferences, concerts and other city events are held here.

Isabel Park

In the middle of the 20th century, the architect Ramon Ortiz created in the city landscape park, which was named after Queen Isabella I of Castile. Today the park area occupies fifteen hectares. There are many fun attractions and colorful flower beds. The shady alleys are decorated with sculptures. The picturesque pond is especially attractive, along the banks of which peacocks stroll and swans, ducks and geese nest.

Aquarium

Gijon also has its own aquarium. Spain boasts many similar structures, but this one is unusual in that it is located on Poniente Beach. It features four thousand underwater inhabitants - from otters and penguins to sharks, which are kept in fifty tanks. More than twelve distinct underwater environments have been restored here, from the Bay of Biscay and Asturian rivers to tropical oceans.

Gijon Workers' University

Lovers architectural monuments will be of interest to the workers' university of Jikon in Spain. It is considered the main architectural landmark of the city. The university was founded in 1946 and was intended for children from families of coal mine workers.

Today it houses the faculty of the University of Oviedo, the Center for Industrial Creativity, the Higher School of Stage Performance and the Conservatory. The height of the main tower of the building is 130 meters. On the high bell tower there is an observation deck from which amazing views of the city and the surrounding area open.

Roman Baths Museum

Gijon in Spain is able to amaze even experienced connoisseurs historical monuments. Experts date the construction of baths to the 1st-2nd centuries AD. In the 6th century they were still used as living quarters, and in the Middle Ages a necropolis was organized here.

Picturesque ruins have survived to this day, where you can see unique frescoes. The heating system is also well preserved.

El Molinon Stadium

It is the oldest in operation football stadium Spain, located on the banks of the Piles River. It was built in 1908, and previously there was a water Mill. In 1969, the stadium underwent a large-scale reconstruction, during which, for the first time in Spain, the stands were covered with a canopy.

Today the stadium seats thirty thousand people. It is the home arena of the famous football club Sporting (Gijon, Spain). But besides football matches Concerts of Spanish and foreign artists are held here quite often. IN different time the stadium applauded the band and Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and Sting, Paul McCarthy and Bruce Springsteen.

What is attractive about the town of Gijon in Spain: reviews from tourists

Most tourists who chose Gijon from many Spanish resorts did not regret it at all. On the contrary, they were pleased with the opportunity not only to relax on the magnificent beaches, but also to visit many most interesting places, which Gijon is rich in.

The advantages of holidaying in this city include the absence huge amount tourists, unlike many famous Spanish resorts. Both cheerful youth groups and families with children can have a great time here. There are many hotels in the city where you can always choose a room according to your requirements.

It might be useful to read: