Gijón Neighbourhoods: where to stay and where to live

Gijón is a compact, very walkable city, but each neighbourhood (barrio) has its own personality: the seafaring feel of Cimavilla, the elegant grid of La Arena by the beach, the working-class life of El Llano and La Calzada, or the green calm of Somió. This guide helps you make sense of them, whether you’re here for a few days and need somewhere to stay or thinking about moving.

How the city is organised

The council divides the municipality into six districts: Centro, Este (East), El Llano, Sur (South), Oeste (West) and Rural. The first five contain the urban neighbourhoods; the Rural district is made up of the countryside parishes, such as Somió, Cabueñes, Deva and Cenero. To get your bearings, picture the city as a fan opening onto the sea: the centre and San Lorenzo beach at the front, the industrial west towards the port of El Musel, the residential east towards Somió, and the newer, denser south.

Centro and Cimavilla

Cimavilla is where Gijón began: the old fishermen’s quarter on the Santa Catalina headland, with narrow streets, Plaza Mayor, the Revillagigedo Palace and, at the top, the Elogio del Horizonte sculpture. It’s the heart of cider-house culture and nightlife, so it’s a charming place to sleep but can be noisy at weekends. Everything about it is in our Cimavilla guide.

The Centro stretches between Cimavilla, the harbour and the beach: shopping streets, Plaza del Seis de Agosto, Paseo de Begoña and Teatro Jovellanos. It’s the best base for a first visit — everything is on foot. Laviada, to the south, is a more residential extension of the centre.

East district: La Arena, El Coto, Ceares and Viesques

La Arena grew out of the 19th-century expansion built over the San Lorenzo dunes. Grid-pattern streets, handsome buildings and the beach one or two blocks away. For visitors it’s probably the best all-rounder: near the beach, the centre and Isabel la Católica Park, with plenty of bars and restaurants.

El Coto and Ceares are established residential areas with local shops and an everyday feel. Further east, El Bibio, Las Mestas and Viesques have more modern housing, big parks and sports facilities; the university campus is in Viesques. A good choice for families or longer stays.

El Llano

El Llano is a district in its own right and one of the city’s most populous neighbourhoods. It grew fast in the mid-20th century as workers arrived from other parts of Spain, and it has kept a down-to-earth character: local shops, old-school bars and busy streets. It’s well connected to the centre on foot or by bus and is usually more affordable.

South district: Pumarín, Contrueces, Montevil and Nuevo Gijón

The south is made up of dense residential areas: Pumarín, Contrueces, Montevil, El Polígono, Perchera-La Braña, Nuevo Gijón, Santa Bárbara, Roces and Nuevo Roces. These are everyday neighbourhoods with schools, health centres and large shops nearby. For visitors they’re a long way from the beach, but for residents they offer bigger flats and good value.

West district: La Calzada, El Natahoyo, Jove and Tremañes

The west is industrial, port-side Gijón. El Natahoyo and La Calzada grew up around shipyards and factories and, since the decline of heavy industry, have been transformed with new parks and facilities. This is where you’ll find Arbeyal beach, the west side’s city beach. Jove and Tremañes stretch towards El Musel and Cape Torres, home of Campa Torres. Rents here are generally lower and the neighbourhood spirit is strong.

Somió and the countryside

Somió is a special case: officially a rural parish, in practice it’s the residential area of detached houses, villas and gardens east of the city, between the coast and the countryside. Very peaceful and ideal if you want nature close to the beach, though you’ll rely on a car or the bus. Nearby are Peñarrubia Beach and the Museum of the Asturian People.

Beyond it, parishes such as Cabueñes — home to Laboral City of Culture and the Atlantic Botanical Garden — Deva and Cenero offer rural houses and countryside stays a few kilometres from the centre.

Which neighbourhood suits you

Tip: if you’re coming by car, ask about parking before booking in the Centro, Cimavilla or La Arena. Street parking there is hard to find; see parking in Gijón.

For residents and newcomers

If you’re moving here, our living in Gijón guide covers paperwork, council offices, libraries and services. To get between neighbourhoods, the city bus network covers the whole city well: see getting around Gijón. And if you’re just visiting, compare options in where to stay in Gijón.