Gijón Things to Do

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Past the harbor and the city center Gijón has a beautiful rugged coast line. It's refreshing to see that it has been left in its natural and beautiful state for the residents of this city to appreciate.

It was very dramatic in the rain...

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Gijon's is a harbor town and luckily it doesn't seem to be too industrial. Along the city's edge individual boats, and not massive yachts line it.

A walk along this harbor is an absolute must-do when in Gijon.

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Gijon's Plaza Mayor is one of the loveliest of those that we saw while in Spain. And.... we saw a lot of them! We got there at the start of lunch hour in a pretty steady rainfall. This made conditions optimum for photographing it without a lot of people in it. Plus, the rain made the ground shine.

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Situated in the former terminus of the Caminos de Hierro del Norte de España ('Norte') and later RENFE terminus, at the western end of the city centre. The station was closed to all traffic on 29 January 1990, a couple of years after the present joint RENFE/FEVE terminus at El Humedal, about 400 m further east, was inauguruated. This latter facility will close in the indefinite future when the lines of both operators are put underground from Moreda (de Gijón, not de Aller!) through the city centre to a new terminus on the eastern outskirts, at Cabueñes, adjacent to the city's main hospital. A sort of mini-metro.

The Museum was developed in three phases, between 1992 and 1998, using the original Norte building, to which was added a north wing and an overall roof, the original structure being the south wing. Although the facilities (and extensive library and archive facilities) were open to the public from the early 1990s, the formal inauguration was on 22 October 1998, in the presence of Prince Felipe.

The museum site occupies an area of over 17,000 m2, with sufficient space for a restoration hall, under-cover exhibition area, and even a dual-gauge railway on which on certain days operate steam and diesel-hauled trains.

The photographs on this page were taken in late October 2003, on the occasion of a visit by a British railtour group (which subsequently travelled to Astorga and León by special train - see my Pajares and Busdongo pages).

Practical information:

Opening hours:

October to March - Tuesdays to Fridays 09.30 to 18.30, Saturdays, Sundays and and public holidays 10.00 to 18.30.

April to September - Tuesdays to Fridays 10.00 to 19.00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10.30 to 19.00.

Closed - all Mondays, plus 1 and 6 January, Tuesday of Carnaval, 15 August, 24, 25 and 31 December.

Standard adult entrance fee - 2.40 euros.

There are various reductions/discounts available, please consult museum website for details.

Address - Dionisio Fernández-Nespral Aza, s/n.
Plaza Estación del Norte
33212 Gijón

Access by rail -

The Museum is directly opposite Gijón-Jovellanos (RENFE) and Gijón-La Braña stations (FEVE). In reality these are one and the same station, the elaborate facilities at Jovellanos dating from the time when the station was conceived as the arrival and departure point for long distance RENFE services. RENFE local (Cercanías) trains from Gijón run to Oviedo, Mieres, Pola de Lena and Puente de los Fierros (change at Villabona de Asturias for Avilés and San Juan de Nieva, change at Oviedo for El Entrego). FEVE Cercanías trains run to Avilés and Pravia, and to El Berrón (change for Infiesto) and Pola de Laviana (serving en route the Museo de Minería at San Vicente). There is also a through non-stop FEVE service between Gijón and Oviedo via El Berrón. Services on all routes are frequent - hourly or half-hourly.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR INTO GIJÓN, SPARE US ALL FROM EXHAUST GAS, NOISE POLLUTION, AND ASSOCIATED ILLNESSES!!!!!!

USE THE TRAIN - IT IS CHEAPER, MORE CONVENIENT, AND MUCH MORE FUN!!!!

Website acces - via the following:

http://museos.gijon.es/index.asp?MP=3&MS=21&MN=3

This info is feebly translated by me from the aquarium's website. I haven't had a chance to visit the new aquarium, but my friends in Asturies have been there and enjoyed it.

Admission is 12 € for adults, 6 € for kids, 8 € for seniors over 65. There are other group rates also listed on their site.

The website does not mention if they have english speakers available but their phone number is:
011 34 985 185 220 to call from outside Spain
985 185 220 to call from within Asturias
185 220 to call from within Gijon.

Hours of operation:
*January 1st to March 30th open from 10am -7pm, Monday through Friday; Saturday, Sunday and holidays open from 10am-8pm
*Saint Week (late March) open 10am-9pm, every day
*April 1st to June 15th open 10am-7pm, Monday through Friday; Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10am-9pm.
*June 16th through the 30th, every day from 10am-9pm
*July 1st to the 31st of August open every day from 10am-10pm
*September 1st to the 14th open every day from 10am-9pm
*September 15th to December 31st open from 10am-7pm, Monday through Friday; Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10am-8pm.

Transportation
Taxi (985) 141 111 or (985) 164 444

Two commuter trains are very nearby. The FEVE train stop is 400 meters from the aquarium. The RENFE train stop is 100 meters from the aquarium.

There is a parking lot nearby called Náutico that charges by the half hour.

The bus stop nearest the Aquarium is called “Acuario”. The following bus routes stop at the "Acuario" stop: 1-4-9-12-21-16.

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It is the beach of St.Lorenzo - Playa de San Lorenzo. Seems that a half of Spain is here, there are so many people. Inspite of numerous of tourists, the beach is clean and it is very pleasant fact. Tabby tents are symbols of Gijon.

Gijon is home to many fine examples of modern large scale sculpture. The most famous sculpture called the Elogio del Horizonte by the famous sculptor Eduardo Chillida is located within walking distance of the Playa de San Lorenzo. There are also many examples of traditional bronze sculptures as well all over Gijon.

You must absolutely see San Lorenzo´s beach,and Poniente´s beach, and enjoy with the great view of the city that you can see from the Cerro de Santa Catalina, in Cimadevilla.
Of course, you shouldn´t miss the beautiful nature park in the center, near the beach of Gijón, called Isabel la Católica.
Also, there´s another park you HAVE TO visit before leaving the city. It´s called "La Providencia", and it has probably the best view over Gijón. Don´t miss it!!.

Termas Romanas de Campo Valdes - were once public baths, constructed on the site of hot springs between the 1st and 4th centuries by the Romans who once occupied Gijon. For a small fee (under4 euros, depending on age, group size, etc) you can visit the site. Free admission on Tuesdays. Hours of operation vary with season and day of week. Regardless of the day, the site always closes during the afternoon for lunch and siesta between 13 and 17:00.

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Gijon's biggest and most famous beach is the Playa de San Lorenzo. It's a humongous crescent shaped beach along the paseo (boardwalk of sorts) that is always teeming with people in warm weather. It's sort of a resort town/family beach kind of place. I shoud mention that even though this is a densely populated beach it is very common for women to sunbathe topless here (as it is lots of places in Europe), but this is a very family friendly beach. All along the beach are places to eat and things to do.

The beach is open from 10 to 21. There are showers, footbaths and fountains in addition to lifeguards, medics, rescue and police all stationed on or near the beach.