Getting around Gijón: city buses, bikes, taxis and walking

Gijón is easy to explore without a car. The centre, Cimavilla, the harbour and the two big city beaches are all within walking distance of each other, and for places further out – such as Laboral or the Botanical Garden – there are city buses, shared electric bikes and taxis. This guide explains each option and when it makes sense.

On foot: the best way to see Gijón

The part of Gijón most visitors see is compact and mostly flat, apart from the slopes of Cimavilla. Easy walks include:

• Centre – Cimavilla – marina – Poniente beach: the heart of the city in one short stroll.
• San Lorenzo promenade (el Muro): from Cimavilla to the mouth of the river Piles, following the beach. Across the river, carry on to Isabel la Católica Park.
• Santa Catalina hill: a short climb from Cimavilla to the Elogio del Horizonte sculpture.
• Coastal path heading east: from the far end of San Lorenzo beach the path continues by the sea towards El Rinconín and La Providencia, with sweeping views of the Bay of Biscay.

Tip: Asturian weather changes fast. Always carry a light waterproof, even in summer.

City buses: EMTUSA

Urban buses are run by EMTUSA, Gijón’s municipal bus company. Its network serves the whole city, with lines reaching Laboral City of Culture and the Atlantic Botanical Garden, according to the council website.

How to pay:

• Single ticket on board. Check the current fare on emtusagijon.es.
• Tarjeta Ciudadana (Citizen Card): a rechargeable municipal card used to pay bus fares and access other council services. According to the City Council, anyone who uses municipal services can apply, whether or not they live in Gijón, and it allows transfers between lines within 45 minutes. Age-based and social discounts (for example free travel for under-17s) apply automatically when you use this card.

Planning your journey: the City Council publishes a list of lines and services, including the night (búho) lines, and EMTUSA’s website lists routes, timetables and arrival times. If you plan to come back in the small hours, check there whether a night service (búho lines) runs that night and when.

Tip: staying several days and using the bus a lot? Ask about the Citizen Card at a council citizen-service office. For a short visit, single tickets are fine.

Bikes: Gijón-Bici

Gijón-Bici is the City Council’s public bike-sharing scheme. According to its official website it has 250 pedal-assist electric bikes and 47 docking stations around the city. You use it via the Gijón-Bici app or the Citizen Card: unlock a bike at one station and return it to the one nearest your destination. According to the official website, occasional use costs €1 to unlock plus a fare by time band (€0.50 up to 30 minutes, €0.90 up to 60, €1.20 up to 90), and monthly and annual passes exist; check current conditions on bici.gijon.es.

The city also has cycle lanes and traffic-calmed streets. The Poniente seafront and the area around the river Piles are among the nicest stretches to ride.

Tip: the San Lorenzo promenade is crowded with walkers, especially in summer and at sunset. Ride slowly and respect pedestrian areas.

Taxis

There are taxi ranks in central spots, at the railway and coach stations and near major venues. You can also book by phone or through radio-taxi apps. Gijón taxis are metered with official fares and a night and holiday surcharge; check the vehicle for applicable supplements, as fares are updated. Tipping taxi drivers isn’t expected, though rounding up is common.

Taxis are the most practical option for getting back from dinner in the countryside, heading to the airport with heavy luggage or getting around in the early hours if no night bus is running.

Sightseeing bus

In some seasons a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus has run with stops at the main sights. Before planning your visit around it, check with the tourist office or on gijon.es whether it’s operating, its route and its price.

Car

Driving around the centre isn’t worth it: regulated parking zones, pedestrian streets and summer traffic. If you arrive by car, park it and forget about it – see parking in Gijón for all the options. A car does come in handy for Gijón’s rural parishes and for day trips from Gijón.

Leaving Gijón without a car

• Oviedo: Cercanías train C-1 or ALSA coach. See Oviedo from Gijón.
• Avilés, the airport and other towns: ALSA coaches from the coach station.
• The rest of Spain: long-distance trains and coaches are covered in getting to Gijón.

Which option for which plan