The cities of the Spanish Cantabrian coast are very beautiful. From the smallest towns to the dynamic capitals, all of them have the charm of the coastal places, the beaches and that marine flavor that none has lost over the years. One of the most interesting capitals for many reasons (tourist and cultural) is undoubtedly Gijón, which in addition to being a city full of life, is also a very comfortable city whose most interesting points can be visited in a single day.
Anyway, let it be clear to you that to get to know this beautiful Asturian town well , a getaway of two, three or even more days is necessary, in which you can also get to know the surroundings of the capital.
Beaches and promenade
We can start our walk at La Escalerona, a great staircase from the early twentieth century that is located on the Playa de San Lorenzo. In this place there is a tourist information kiosk, perfect to get information and a map. We can also enjoy the great beach, which the people of Gijón know as La Playona. Along this sandy area we can follow the Paseo del Muro, which starts from the Church of San Pedro and reaches the Cervigón path: this route leads to other smaller beaches, but full of charm, such as Rinconín.
The Cimadevilla neighborhood
In the old part of the city, the Plaza de Jovellanos boasts the Jovellanos Birthplace Museum, a fundamental figure in the development of the city. This place is part of the Cimadevilla neighborhood, full of maritime charm and the best place to have some sidriñas at noon or after sunset, with fantastic views of Poniente Beach. At this point there is also a very interesting place to visit: the Roman Baths. Once covered, it is a good time to enjoy a good meal and start the evening journey.
A park on the sea
The Plaza del Marqués, the Palacio de Revillavigiedo (which currently hosts contemporary art exhibitions) and the Collegiate Church of San Juan Bautista are three places that we should not miss: they are all just a stone’s throw away, in the old area. Then we can continue strolling through Gijón until we reach the Cerro de Santa Catalina, where Chillida’s sculpture “Elogio del Horizonte” stands on a park with magnificent views over the Cantabrian Sea.