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Beach · Gijón, Astúrias
Playa de San Lorenzo
Urban, 1.5 km shell-shaped beach in Gijón's center, accompanied by the Muro promenade, with the church of San Pedro at one end and the mouth of the Piles River at the other.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Playa de San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo beach is right in the center of Gijón and is the best-known beach in the Asturias. It has about 1,550 meters of sand in a shell shape, from staircase 0, behind the church of San Pedro, to staircase 16, by the mouth of the Piles River. The numbered staircases that descend from the promenade are a reference point for locals.
The tide greatly changes the landscape: at high tide the sand almost disappears, and at low tide the beach becomes very wide. In the 19th century, residents found the beach inhospitable because of the tides and the wind. With the fashion for sea bathing, it gained bathing facilities from 1874 and became the city's summer resort center.
Running the length of the beach is the Paseo del Muro de San Lorenzo, a promenade where locals walk all year round. Beyond the end of the beach it continues along the Cervigón coastal path, over 2 km long, to other smaller beaches.
At the western end is the church of San Pedro, rebuilt between 1945 and 1955 after the previous 15th-century church was destroyed in the Civil War. The beach season usually runs from June to September, with cold Cantabrian water.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 hour to half a day, depending on the itinerary.
Best time
From June to September for the beach; the promenade is worth visiting all year round, especially at dusk.
How to get there
It's in the center of Gijón, about a 15-minute walk from the train station.
Tip
Check the tide table: at low tide the beach becomes huge and is better for walking on the sand.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Playa de San Lorenzo
How big is the praia de San Lorenzo?
About 1,550 metres of sand, in a shell shape, in central Gijón.
Does the tide change the beach a lot?
Yes. At high tide the sand almost disappears, and at low tide the beach becomes very wide.
What is the Muro de San Lorenzo?
The promenade that runs along the entire beach and continues along the coastal path of Cervigón.