Arbeyal Beach

El Arbeyal (L’Arbeyal in Asturian) is Gijón’s westernmost city beach and a favourite with people who live on this side of town: a shell-shaped bay of toasted-gold sand with calm water, a playground and a neighbourhood atmosphere the central beaches have lost. It’s the place to swim without the crowds and combine with the Railway Museum or the Aquarium.

A beach brought back to life

Throughout the 20th century, western Gijón was the city’s industrial heartland, and El Arbeyal was badly degraded by factories and waste; for years it was even nicknamed “La Casera beach” after a nearby business. In 1995, the same year Poniente opened, it was relaunched after a regeneration project that restored its original shape. Today it sits in a still very maritime setting, with the El Musel port in view, alongside the parks and green spaces of La Calzada and El Natahoyo.

What it’s like

• Shell-shaped, around 300 metres long, with toasted-gold sand.
• Calm water and small waves: a good choice for children and for anyone who’d rather not battle the surf.
• Tides: at low tide the sand area grows to more than four times its high-tide size. Check a tide table before you go.
• Atmosphere: family-friendly and local, with fewer visitors than the centre. It regularly hosts sports such as beach rugby, canoeing, kite flying and swimming events.

Tip: if San Lorenzo is packed on an August Sunday, El Arbeyal is usually the easiest escape without leaving the city.

When to go

• In summer, weekdays or early in the day are best: calm water, plenty of room and a local crowd.
• At low tide the beach opens right up and is ideal for small children to paddle without waves.
• Out of season, the promenade beside the beach makes a pleasant flat walk with views over the bay, the port of El Musel and, in the distance, Cimavilla.

Facilities and accessibility

According to Turismo Asturias, El Arbeyal has showers, toilets, a playground, sports facilities, a lifeguard service in season and a motorhome area nearby. It’s a smoke-free beach. For accessibility there’s reserved parking, ramps, adapted toilets and rest areas.

According to the same source, its lifeguard season is shorter than at the other city beaches and concentrated in high summer. Check current dates and hours on gijon.es.

As on the other city beaches, ball games on the sand are restricted in the middle of the day during the season, and boards and boats aren’t allowed in the swimming area.

Dogs

Animals aren’t allowed at any time of year. If you’re travelling with a dog, see the options in our guide to Gijón’s beaches.

Getting there

• On foot or by bike: follow the seafront promenade west from Poniente Beach.
• By bus: city buses run by EMTUSA stop nearby on Avenida Príncipe de Asturias. Check current routes in our guide to getting around Gijón or on emtusagijon.es.
• By car: access is easy and parking is usually less of a struggle than in the centre.

What to combine nearby

• The Asturias Railway Museum, a short walk away and perfect if the weather turns.
• Gijón Aquarium, at the western end of Poniente.
• A cider in the neighbourhood: La Calzada and El Natahoyo have traditional sidrerías (cider houses). If it’s your first time, read our guide to cider in Gijón to learn how it’s poured and drunk.
• More family plans in Gijón with kids.