Gijón (Xixón in Asturian) is an easy city for visitors: safe, walkable and well served. Still, a few local customs are worth knowing before you arrive, from Spain’s late meal times to how cider is ordered. Here are the essentials, organised so you can find them quickly.
Language: Spanish and Asturian
- Spanish (Castilian) is the language used in shops, restaurants and public services.
- Asturian (also called Bable) is the region’s own language. It is protected and promoted by law, although it does not have co-official status. You will see it on signs and place names: Xixón (Gijón), Uviéu (Oviedo) or Cimavilla, the old fishermen’s quarter. The municipality’s official name is Gijón/Xixón.
- English: hotel staff, tourist offices and many central restaurants will manage; in outlying districts and villages, less so. A few words of Spanish go a long way.
Typical opening and meal times
- Lunch: roughly 14:00 to 16:00. On weekdays many restaurants offer a menú del día, a good-value set lunch with starter, main, dessert and a drink.
- Dinner: from 21:00, and later in summer and at weekends.
- Shops: small shops usually open in the morning and again in the late afternoon, closing for a long lunch break; shopping centres stay open all day. Most shops close on Sundays.
- Municipal museums: many close one day a week, often Monday. Always check each museum’s official website; you will find the list in our guide to museums.
Tip: if you are hungry at 17:00, head for a sidrería (cider house) or a tapas bar: the kitchen may be closed, but there is nearly always something to nibble.
Eating and drinking: what to know
- Cider is served escanciada: poured from above the head into a glass held low, to aerate it. You get a small splash called a culín, drunk in one go. Cider is normally ordered by the bottle and poured by the waiter. The full ritual is explained in our guide to cider in Gijón.
- Portions: Asturian raciones are generous. Ordering to share is normal.
- Tap water: safe to drink. You can ask for a jug (una jarra de agua), although bottled water is more common.
- Smoking: banned inside bars, restaurants and enclosed public spaces.
What to order: what to eat in Gijón.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory and service is included. People usually round up or leave some change if they were happy; in bars, tips are rare.
Prices: what to expect
Gijón is generally more affordable than Spain’s big cities, although accommodation prices rise sharply in July and August, so book ahead. The weekday menú del día is the cheapest way to eat well. A bottle of cider shared in a cider house is one of the best-value drinks around. For accommodation, see where to stay in Gijón. Plenty of things cost nothing at all: see free things to do in Gijón.
Entry requirements for Spain
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: a valid national ID card or passport.
- Other nationalities: requirements depend on your country (passport validity, visa, proof of funds, accommodation, return ticket and so on). Check the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (visas and entry conditions section) or your nearest Spanish consulate. UK citizens are non-EU travellers and the Schengen 90/180-day rule applies.
- New EU border systems: the EU is rolling out new border checks for non-EU travellers (the Entry/Exit System and the ETIAS travel authorisation). Check whether they apply to you before travelling.
Health and emergencies
- 112: the single emergency number, free and 24/7, with English-speaking operators.
- Pharmacies: marked with a green cross. To find the duty pharmacy outside normal hours, see our page on pharmacies.
- EU visitors: bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); UK travellers can use a GHIC. Non-EU visitors should take out travel insurance.
- Main public hospital: Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes.
Tourist offices
Gijón has municipal tourist information points offering maps, leaflets and personal advice:
- Casa Paquet: calle Fermín García Bernardo. According to Turismo Asturias it is open all year: 10 May to 1 November, 10:00-20:00 (until 21:00 in August), and 2 November to 9 May, 10:00-14:30 and 16:30-19:30.
- La Escalerona: on the San Lorenzo beach promenade, at staircase (escalera) 4.
Phone: +34 985 341 771. La Escalerona has seasonal hours that change from year to year: check the official listing on Turismo Asturias before you go.
Getting around, wifi and other details
- Transport: the city is very walkable and well served by buses. Buses, bikes and taxis are covered in getting around Gijón.
- Citizen Card (Tarjeta Ciudadana): Gijón’s municipal card is available to anyone, resident or not, and can be used to pay city bus fares, rent public bikes and access libraries and sports facilities. It is rarely worth it for a short break but useful for longer stays. Details on gijon.es.
- Wifi: most accommodation and many cafés offer free wifi; just ask for the password. The Jovellanos Public Library has wifi throughout the building.
- Plugs: European two-pin (types C/F), 230 V. UK and US visitors need an adaptor.
- Currency: euro. Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere.
- Time zone: Central European Time (CET/CEST), one hour ahead of the UK.
Accessibility
The San Lorenzo promenade and much of the city centre are flat and easy to get around. Cimavilla, the old quarter, has slopes and steps. For specific services (assisted bathing on beaches, adapted transport), check in advance with Gijón City Council or the tourist offices.
Before you pack…
Check the weather and best time to visit and how to get to Gijón by air, rail, coach or car.
Practical info
Gijón weather: climate by season and the best time to visit
What the weather in Gijón is like in each season, the best time of year to visit and what to pack to enjoy Spain's green north coast, rain or shine.
Shopping in Gijón: shopping streets, markets and what to take home
Where to shop in Gijón: pedestrian streets in the centre, the Mercado del Sur, the Plaza Mayor craft market and the best Asturian products to take home.
Frequently asked questions
What language is spoken in Gijón?
Spanish (Castilian) is the everyday language. Asturian, also called Bable, is protected by law in Asturias and you will see it in place names and signs, such as Xixón, the Asturian form of Gijón. The municipality's official name is Gijón/Xixón.
Should I tip in Gijón?
Tipping is not expected. In Spain service is included in the price, so a tip is purely a gesture: rounding up the bill or leaving some change if you enjoyed the service is normal.
What time do people eat lunch and dinner in Gijón?
Later than in most of Europe: lunch is usually between 14:00 and 16:00 and dinner from 21:00. Many kitchens close in between, though you can always find somewhere for a snack.
What is the emergency number in Spain?
112, free and available 24 hours a day for any emergency (ambulance, police, fire). Operators can also assist in other languages, including English.
What documents do I need to travel to Gijón?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport. Travellers from other countries should check entry and visa requirements for their nationality on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (exteriores.gob.es) or with their nearest Spanish consulate.
Sources
- Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Consular services and entry conditions — 29 October 2026
- Turismo Asturias – La Escalerona tourist information point — 29 October 2026
- Turismo Asturias – Gijón Tourist Office — 29 October 2026
- Gijón City Council – Citizen Card — 29 October 2026
- Official College of Pharmacists of Asturias – Duty pharmacies — 29 October 2026