The Port of Asturias | Gijon, Gijon, Spain

After our one night stop-off in Oviedo, it was time to head just a little bit farther north and get to the ocean. Gijón is easily accessible by bus from the main Oviedo station. The ticket cost about €2 and the journey was less than 30 minutes.

The sun was shining, there was no harsh wind off the sea, and the temperature was perfect for late February. We began our tour of the city by heading straight for the water, as anyone who lives in an inland city would do! There is something about reconnecting with the open sea and oceans that can reset a weary soul and rejuvenate a tired mind.

The main beach in Gijón is Playa de San Lorenzo, a beautiful stretch of sand in front of a busy part of the city. It is not incredibly touristy, which is a nice break from the overcrowded beaches full of tacky restaurants and surf shops that you find on the islands or the Mediterranean coasts. It is quaint, full of locals enjoying the sunshine with their dogs, and even surfers and paddle boarders in the wintertime. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).