Gijón with Kids: San Lorenzo Beach, Cimavilla and Where to Stay
Gijón is the biggest city on the Asturian coast. It has a long city beach, an old fishing quarter on a headland, and a completely different feel from the villages we’d spent the week in. We stopped here in July 2021 with Damian (8) and Marc (5), heading east from our base in Novellana towards Lastres, Llanes and Cantabria.
The short version
- Beach: Playa de San Lorenzo, almost 1.5 km, with lifeguards in season. Go at low tide, because at high tide the sand almost disappears.
- With small kids: use stairways 1–3, the calmer end by the church of San Pedro.
- Old town: Cimavilla, the fishing quarter on the headland, with the Elogio del Horizonte sculpture on top.
- Time: half a day on a road trip, or a city base for central Asturias.
Short on time? Our top 3 picks in Gijón
Boogalow Hostel – by San Lorenzo beach, with family rooms and beach gear to rent.
Abba Playa Gijón – on the seafront, with sea views.
Parador de Gijón Molino Viejo – an old mill in Isabel la Católica park, at the far end of San Lorenzo beach.
Playa de San Lorenzo: go at low tide
San Lorenzo curves for almost 1.5 km below the city promenade, the Muro. It’s organised by 16 numbered stairways. At high tide the sea reaches the wall and the beach almost vanishes, so check the tide times before you go.
With children, head for stairways 1–3 at the western end, near the church of San Pedro. That end is more sheltered. The stretch around stairways 9–14 gets stronger waves and currents. There are lifeguards, toilets and showers in season. Watch the flags.
Cimavilla, the old fishing quarter
Stairway 1 brings you straight into Cimavilla, the old fishing quarter on the headland, with narrow streets, small squares and sidrerías. Walk up to the Cerro de Santa Catalina park at the top for Eduardo Chillida’s huge concrete sculpture, the Elogio del Horizonte. Children love standing inside it and hearing the sea echo.
Is Gijón good for kids?
Yes, especially as a change from the villages: a flat promenade for scooters, a lifeguarded city beach, parks and plenty of places to eat. The downside is the tide. Plan the beach around it, not the other way round.
Gijón on an Asturias road trip
We did Gijón as part of our eastbound day, together with Lastres (about 40 km east) and Llanes. From the western coast it’s roughly an hour’s drive.
More: Asturias with kids · Asturias beaches for families · Our road trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gijón good for families?
Yes. It has a lifeguarded city beach, a long flat promenade, parks and the old fishing quarter of Cimavilla, all within walking distance.
What is San Lorenzo beach like at high tide?
At high tide the sea reaches the promenade wall and the sand almost disappears. Visit at low tide and check the tide times before you go.
Which part of San Lorenzo beach is best for kids?
The western end, by stairways 1–3 near the church of San Pedro, which is more sheltered. The central stretch around stairways 9–14 has stronger waves and currents.
What is the Elogio del Horizonte?
A large concrete sculpture by Eduardo Chillida on the Cerro de Santa Catalina, at the top of Gijón’s old quarter, Cimavilla, looking out over the sea.
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