Cimavilla
Old townThe old fishermen's quarter up the hill: lanes, cider houses and the city's soul.
Romantic Gijón
Gijón for two is best taken slowly: sunset by the Elogio del Horizonte, the lanes of Cimavilla and a good table with a view. These are the ideas that work best.
Elogio del Horizonte
Chillida · viewpointChillida's sculpture on Santa Catalina hill. Step inside — the sea actually roars.
Playa de San Lorenzo
City beachThe big city beach and its seafront promenade. 'La Escalerona' steps are the meeting point.
Universidad Laboral
Spain's largest buildingA colossal cultural complex — climb the tower for a full view of Gijón.
Jardín Botánico Atlántico
Nature25 hectares of Atlantic gardens to switch off, minutes from downtown.
Terrazas del Rinconín
SunsetAt the end of the beach, seafront terraces (El Tostaderu and around) for a sunset drink.
Surf en San Lorenzo
Surf · schoolLessons right on the city beach. If you already surf, the big waves are at Xago and Frexulfe.
LABoral Centro de Arte
Contemporary art and new media inside the Universidad Laboral.
Gloria
Esther and Nacho Manzano's (Casa Marcial) tavern in the centre: contemporary Asturian cooking, produce-led and unfussy. A great way to taste the region's top kitchen at a fair price.
Llumbre
Wood-fire and grill cooking built on quality Cantabrian produce and aged meats. A polished spot for a special lunch or dinner.
Auga
A Michelin-starred restaurant on the marina, facing the Cantabrian Sea. Gonzalo Pañeda's market cooking built on local fish and seafood. For a special occasion.
Humo
Grill and produce in a sleek space: fire-cooked fish and meats, including aged beef cuts. Bar, dining room and a drinks area.
V. Crespo
A Gijón classic near the beach, specialising in fresh fish, seafood and traditional Asturian cooking. A safe bet for seafood lovers.
Farragua
Chef Ricardo Señorán's creative cooking blending Asturian and Extremaduran roots. Tasting menus and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, right in the centre.
Marcos
Sommelier Marcos Granda's Michelin-starred room: just 12 diners and a tasting menu by the open kitchen. An intimate experience with a deep wine cellar.
Alalunga Taberna Marinera
A small seafarer's tavern focused on albacore tuna and sea produce. Half-portions to share and great-value tasting menus.
El Recetario
Álex Sampedro's market-driven author cuisine by Cimavilla and the Plaza Mayor. Slow stews and half-portions; a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
El Cencerro
A much-loved spot for modern Asturian food, famous for its cachopos and grilled meats. Generous portions and big flavour.
La ciudadela
A long-standing eatery and cider house in the centre, serving classic Asturian stews and dishes in a characterful dining room.
Viñao
Well-executed, produce-led Asturian cooking with fish, meats and seasonal dishes. Warm service and honest food.
Sobiñagu
A lively Asturian cider house known for its cachopos and sharing plates. Perfect for groups and pouring some cider.
La Fueya de Tomás
A traditional cider house serving homestyle Asturian food at a fair price. A neighbourhood spot to eat like a local.
Río Astur
A cider house with a grill: char-grilled meats and fish, cachopos and local cider. Generous and made for sharing.
La Galana
A cider house-restaurant with an unbeatable spot on the Plaza Mayor. Traditional Asturian cooking —fabada, monkfish rice, market fish— and poured cider.
Tar d'Abeu
An old-town cider house from the new generation: classic chigre, creative seasonal cooking. Fusion-tinged tapas and great value.
Gastrochigre
Reinvents the Asturian chigre with fusion tapas and local produce taken further afield. Casual vibe, good value and dog-friendly.
La Excusa Perfecta
A gastrobar of tapas and sharing plates with contemporary cooking and friendly prices. A great casual plan in the centre.
Que no te lo cuenten
A creative gastrobar with well-made small plates at a good price. A relaxed spot for tapas and sharing.
El Medio Lleno
A small spot serving market-led cooking and well-crafted plates at excellent value. Cosy and worth returning to.
Bistró 21
A bistro with modern, lightly fusion cooking and careful presentation. A nice balance of creativity and price.
La Taberna Zíngara
A tavern with creative Andalusian roots: fried delights, stews and flavour-packed sharing plates. Different and reliably good.
La Cacharrería
Creative cooking that fuses Asturian tradition with Asian and Mexican touches. A short but original menu in an elegant setting; booking advised.
El Restallu
A landmark cider house and seafood spot in the centre. Its lobster rice is legendary, alongside Cantabrian fish and shellfish. Book ahead.
El Perejil
A long-standing tavern with seasonal market cooking. An intimate few-table room, booking only; praised for its beef, hake and compango croquettes.
Casa Ataúlfo
A cider house and seafood spot since 1983 in the heart of town. Fish and shellfish from the counter to the table, natural cider and Asturian quality seal.
La Taberna del Piano
A grill with bay views on the San Lorenzo seafront. Tapas, generous portions, stuffed buns and a daily menu; lamb and suckling pig to order.
La Vaca Asustada
A temple to char-grilled meat: chuletón steaks, aged cuts and generous sides. Informal vibe and quality produce.
D'Aldo
An Italian trattoria with homemade pizzas and pastas done the traditional way. Cosy and family-friendly.
Aroma
An artisan pizzeria with long-fermented dough and quality toppings. For anyone after a properly good Italian pizza.
Wabisabi
A Japanese ramen bar with slow-simmered broths and Asian small bites. Small, casual and highly rated.
Buga
Ramen and Asian dishes in a modern, laid-back setting. A good way to step off the beaten track.
Mi Huarique
Authentic Peruvian cooking: ceviches, causas and dishes with personality. Bright, appetite-whetting flavours.
Rinconcito Mexicano
Homestyle Mexican food with tacos, nachos and sharing plates. A cheerful spot, perfect for groups.
Tandoori
Indian cooking with curries, tandoori dishes and freshly baked naan. Spice to taste and plenty of vegetarian options.
La Mafia se sienta a la mesa
A central Italian with a spacious interior and terrace. Pasta and pizza blending Italian-Mediterranean tradition and innovation; family-friendly.
Da Roberto
Authentic Italian by Poniente beach: homemade pasta, cream-free carbonara and thin-crust pizzas. Cosy and busy, so book.
Ipanema
The Ipanema terraces, at the eastern end of San Lorenzo beach, are the classic spot for a drink almost on the sand: beers, sharing plates and Cantabrian sunsets without leaving your beach day behind.
Chiringuito de La Ñora
The beach bar right on the sand at La Ñora: the natural choice for a bite or a drink without leaving the cove, between Gijón and Villaviciosa, after a swim at one of the area's prettiest beaches.
Las Dunas de Verdicio
A beach bar up on the dunes of Verdicio beach, facing Cape Peñas. A wide range of burgers, live music and some of the best sunsets in Asturias. Booking is wise in season.
Merendero El Hórreo
A timeless merendero on the climb to La Providencia, with an hórreo in the yard and Cantabrian views. Cider-cooked chorizo, black pudding and rice pudding five minutes from the centre.
Que Cocine Valentina
A rural Italian trattoria in Venta las Ranas, towards Villaviciosa and near Playa España: fresh pasta made to order, homemade carbonara and risotto. Terrace only, booking via WhatsApp.
Romantic Gijón: plans for couples
Gijón as a couple is best enjoyed slowly: sea, old town and good food are the perfect recipe for a charming getaway.
Movie-worthy sunsets
Watching the sun go down by the Elogio del Horizonte, atop the Santa Catalina hill, is the romantic plan par excellence, with the whole bay at your feet.
Charming walks
The lanes of Cimadevilla, the San Lorenzo promenade at dusk and the Atlantic Botanical Garden invite you to wander unhurried.
A fine table
Round it off with a sea-view dinner or a time-honoured cider house. Cantabrian produce and a good wine or cider never fail.
Frequently asked questions
Where to watch the best sunset in Gijón?
From Santa Catalina hill, by Chillida's Elogio del Horizonte, with the sea behind. The San Lorenzo promenade at high tide is gorgeous too.