Gijón is the largest city in Asturias and as such it has its shares of small bars, restaurants and places that are only really known by locals. Here’s a list of 5 hidden gems of Gijón according to us:
1. Ciudadela de Celestino Solar:
If you are like me and enjoy history, this is one of the best places to discover the industrial history not only of Gijón but of Asturias in general. It is a little-known workers’ housing complex that was very common during the end of the 19th and start of the 20th centuries. Hundreds of people lived in cramped housing located usually within patios and hidden, to a certain extent, from the city. We consider it to be a secret because it is sort of hidden. To visit this complex, which is nowadays a municipal museum on the industrial history of Asturias (all municipally-owned museums are as of time of writing free), you need to find the entrance, which can be a bit tricky. The entry gate fits in perfectly with the surrounding houses and you need to go down a long corridor to reach the internal patio where the housing is located. There, you can see the exhibitions on life during Asturias’ industrial revolution and even visit a reconstructed house that shows visitors what life was like back then as a worker. For more information, visit the municipal website here or Google maps for its location here.
2. Café Dindurra:
If you are and aficionado of art deco, you will love café Dindurra. This café, located in the heart of the city, opened its doors at the start of the 20th century. Nowadays, it is most famous for its interior design. Originally built at the start of the 20th century, it has served as the café for the theatre next door, Teatro Jovellanos (previously known as the Dindurra theatre), which is the main theatre venue for the city. In the 30s it underwent a complete refurbishment that included its interior avant-garde art deco design. It is a lovely place to go to have a drink and relax in style. You can read more about this historic café and find its location here.
3. Isabel la Católica park:
One of the most important parks of the city, it is a very popular place to go for walks, runs or just hang out. This park, built on top of marshes next to the Piles river, is an excellent place to spend a while enjoying a green landscape in the middle of the city. The park is full of statues and sculptures (including, allegedly, the first sculpture in the world in honour of Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin), squirrels, it has a small bird zoo and a large lake with ducks, swans and other birds. There is also a park café and a luxury Parador hotel that also has a bar. Nearby, you also have the Molinón football stadium. A nice place to spend a relaxing afternoon. You can find its location here.
4. Evaristo Valle Foundation museum:
A museum about the Asturian artist Evaristo Valle, it is located in a 19th century palace on the outskirts of Gijón. Here you’ll be able to discover the art of Evaristo Valle, some of his collection (including sea shell and bonsai collections), temporal exhibitions and the over 10 000 m2 of gardens that are, in themselves, worth a visit. The museum also offers guided tours. You can buy tickets online and find out more about the foundation and its museum on the website here.
5. Mercado del Sur market:
This market that was built at the end of the 19th century, it is the last market standing in Gijón. If you want to visit a traditional Spanish market in Gijón, this is the place to be. It’s next to calle Corrida (the main shopping street) and the lovely Europa park that has a large pond with fish. You can find its location here.
Want to find out more about Gijón? Why not read our guide on the best things to see in Gijón that also includes some hidden gems of Gijón as well, here.
Want to go on one of our guided tours of the city? Check out the availability of our “free tours” here or contact us here.