Gijon is an industrial city on the north coast of Spain. Known for its golden beaches, Roman ruins, and the local cider, it is certainly worth a visit. Best yet, Gijon is one of the few cities in Spain where we have genuinely felt completely comfortable leaving our van for an extended period of time. It is arguably the best city for anyone wanting to experience a Spanish city whilst traveling by van/motorhome. There are many places to park overnight within Gijon, many of which are within walking distance of the city centre.
We opted to park overnight at 2 spots whilst exploring the unique city of Gijon. Despite both parking spots being centrally located, the experience to be had at each was vastly different.
Gijón West – near the port
You can find this spot located near the industrial port in Gijón. It is a 40-minute walk to the city centre and is also well-connected with designated bike lanes. This spot is extremely utilitarian. It has bins, a water supply, grey and black water disposal facilities, and even electrical hook-ups available for a fee (7.50€ for 24hrs). There is a toilet 500m away, although this will cost you 30c to use. The only thing we feel lacking from this spot would be a designated toilet block with showers, however, as it’s a free spot, we have no complaints. Furthermore, if you are in need of a shower, there are beach showers available 100m from your van!
Due to this being a designated area for campervans it is extremely accommodating to larger rigs. Whilst we were there there were vehicles 8+ meters in length. The spaces are long and wide, so you don’t feel like a sardine.
In terms of providing a service, you can not fault this spot. There is even a vending machine with lots of handy things including chemical toilet fluid, spare electrical fuses, and so much more. However, it is not necessarily a place we would recommend staying for a prolonged period.
Due to this spot being near a busy road and an industrial port it can get quite noisy. This is particularly true during peak rush hour traffic, not ideal if you want to enjoy a long lie!
You may also find it difficult to find a space here, especially with an electric hook-up. We spent a Friday night here in late October and the car park was almost full. We managed to get the last spot with an electrical hook-up. By Saturday it was completely full, with people waiting patiently for a space with electricity to become available.
One redeeming quality about this spot to park overnight in Gijón is its proximity to the beach. It is essential on the beach, so if you don’t fancy the trek into the city centre, why not relax and unwind on your doorstep? There is even a children’s play park, outdoor exercise machines, and beach volleyball nets all within a 1 minute’s walk from the carpark. There really is something for everyone.
Location
Polígono Puerto Musel, 33212 Gijón, Asturias, Spain
43.544701, -5.695560
Price
Free
toilets
Nearby (30c)
Water
Yes
+ grey & black disposal
Bins
Yes
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
Gijón East – Near the beach
This spot is located at the far end of the main beach in Gijón. It has an abundance of parking spaces and is surrounded by grass, giving it a more tranquil feel, despite not being far from the heart of the city. From here, it is a mere 20-minute walk along the beachfront in order to reach the city centre.
This spot is by no means scenic, but it does feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.
At this spot where you can park overnight in Gijón, you will not find any facilities, it is simply a large tarmacked square. There is a fountain to fill up a water bottle, but it is unsuitable to attach a hose. There are a few small litter bins on the perimeter of the carpark, but not the type of bins that you would dump all your waste into.
This spot is simple. It isn’t flashy. What it offers is a good night’s sleep on a flat tarmacked surface. It is not overcrowded, allowing you to find a tiny bit of privacy in Gijón. It is also perfect if you are a larger vehicle as there is plenty of room within the car park.
It’s not perfect, but it is perfectly adequate if you are just looking to explore Gijón.
Location
Paseo Dr. Fleming, 11A, 33203 Gijón, Asturias
43.540450, -5.639404
Price
Free
toilets
No
Water
No
Bins
Yes, there are a few small bins dotted around the carpark. No recycling.
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
Both of the spots we have discussed served their purpose well, and we would not hesitate to return to them. However, if we were to choose our favourite it would be “Gijón East” as it is much closer to the heart of the action, and provides you with a better night’s sleep. “Gijón West” is perfect if you are in need of some power, or just want to tick off a few vanlife chores, but personally, we wouldn’t stay there for any longer than 24hrs.
If you have any questions regarding where to wild camp in Miengo/Santander…or Spain in general do not hesitate to comment down below.
Or why not check out all the great overnight parking places we have been to so far here! (or just in Spain)
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