Cider in Gijón: llagares, cider houses and museums to live it
Cider is the soul of Asturias, and Gijón is a good place to start drinking it —and understanding it. Here's where to pour cider in the city and which llagares, museums and cider towns to visit nearby, so you go from having a culín to living the whole ritual.
- 📍 In Gijón
Cimavilla, the cider quarter
Pouring cider in town, between terraces and the sea
What it is: Gijón's old town packs in the city's highest density of cider houses. It's the place for your first culín: atmosphere, terraces and the pour on full display.
Don't miss
- Cider houses and terraces one after another
- The waiter pours in front of you, culín by culín
- Next to the marina and Santa Catalina hill
- We have a cider walking route around the quarter
Keep in mind
- It fills up at weekends: expect a wait
- The glass is shared at the table and the culín is drunk in one go
- 📍 Cimadevilla
- 📍 Plaza Mayor
- 📍 Puerto deportivo
- 📍 Nava · 35 min by car
MUSI · Cider Museum
The whole cider culture, from apple to culín
What it is: In Nava, Asturias's cider museum walks you through how cider is made, served and enjoyed, with interactive rooms and a tasting. The best rainy-day plan with real Asturian sense.
Don't miss
- Explains the whole process: orchard, press and pouring
- Interactive rooms, great with kids
- Usually includes a tasting
- Nava is a cradle of cider and of the July festival
Keep in mind
- It's in Nava, not Gijón: you'll need a car or bus
- Check opening times and book your visit on their website
- 📍 Nava
- 📍 Comarca de la Sidra
- 📍 Comarca de la Sidra · 30–40 min
A llagar and an espicha
Eat and drink at the foot of the barrels
What it is: A llagar is the cellar where the apples are pressed and the cider ferments. Many open up to eat beside the barrels at an espicha: unlimited cider and typical nibbles, standing up and in good company.
Don't miss
- About the most authentic cider experience there is
- Cider straight from the barrel and typical food: omelette, chorizo in cider, cheese
- Perfect for groups
- Many are in Nava, Sariego or Villaviciosa
Keep in mind
- Almost always by prior booking and seasonal (autumn to spring)
- You'll need a car: sort out who drives
- 📍 Nava
- 📍 Sariego
- 📍 Villaviciosa
- 📍 Villaviciosa · 30 min by car
Villaviciosa and El Gaitero
The apple capital, with a historic factory
What it is: Villaviciosa is the apple country par excellence and home to El Gaitero, Asturias's best-known sparkling cider, with a factory dating from 1890. A pretty town to stroll among the orchards.
Don't miss
- Cradle of the Asturian cider apple
- El Gaitero: historic cellar and shop
- A pleasant old town to wander
- Near the estuary and beaches like Rodiles
Keep in mind
- Check whether guided factory tours are running
- Combine it with the Villaviciosa estuary or Tazones
- 📍 Villaviciosa
- 📍 El Gaitero
- 📍 Ría de Villaviciosa
- 📍 Nava and Gijón · summer
The natural cider festival
Pouring cider spills into the streets in summer
What it is: In summer, cider means fiesta. Nava holds its Natural Cider Festival in July, and every August Gijón gathers hundreds of people for the record-breaking simultaneous pour. If your dates line up, don't miss it.
Don't miss
- Pouring contests and cider flowing everywhere
- Street atmosphere, music and food
- In Gijón, the simultaneous pour is a spectacle
- Typical dates: Nava in July, Gijón in August
Keep in mind
- Always confirm this year's dates on our agenda
- It gets crowded: arrive early
- 📍 Nava
- 📍 Gijón
- 📍 Plaza Mayor
Frequently asked questions
Where can I drink cider in Gijón?
In Cimavilla, the old town, is where the city's cider houses cluster: the best place for your first culín, with terraces and the pour on show. We also have a cider walking route around the quarter.
Can I visit a llagar near Gijón?
Yes. In the Comarca de la Sidra (Nava, Sariego, Villaviciosa), 30–40 minutes away by car, many llagares open up for an espicha: typical food and cider straight from the barrel. Almost always by prior booking and seasonal, from autumn to spring.
What is the Cider Museum?
The MUSI, in Nava (about 35 minutes from Gijón), covers the whole cider culture —from apple to pour— with interactive rooms and a tasting. A great rainy-day plan for families; it's worth checking times and booking on their website.
When is cider season in Asturias?
It's drunk all year, but espichas run mostly from autumn to spring, when the new cider is opened. Summer brings the festivals: Nava's Natural Cider Festival (July) and Gijón's simultaneous pour (August). Always confirm the dates on the agenda.