Asturias Railway Museum

Asturias Railway Museum (Museo del Ferrocarril de Asturias) in Gijón/Xixón is one of the most rewarding stops for anyone interested in industrial heritage and engineering history in northern Spain. Housed in the former Gijón North railway station, a building dating back to the second half of the 19th century, the museum traces how the railway shaped mining, metallurgy, and port activity across the region.

How do you get there?

The museum sits close to the centre of Gijón, making it an easy stop on foot or by local transport for anyone exploring the coastal city. The building itself once served as the town's main railway terminus until it closed to traffic in 1990 to be refurbished and converted into a museum space. Its central location means a visit pairs naturally with a walk through Gijón's old town or a stop at San Lorenzo beach.

What will you see?

At the core of the museum is a collection of roughly 50 locomotives and carriages spanning different eras of regional rail travel. Alongside the passenger and freight stock, visitors can inspect machinery once used in Asturian mines, ports, foundries, and power plants — a reminder of how tightly the railway network was tied to the region's industrial identity, since Asturias historically had one of the densest rail systems in Spain. The former station building today combines exhibition halls with administrative offices, temporary exhibition spaces, and a documentation centre dedicated to the region's railway history. For many visitors, the highlight is the occasional operation of vintage steam locomotives, which run short rides along the museum's own tracks — a favourite moment for visiting families.

When should you visit?

The museum was formally inaugurated on 22-23 October 1998 by the then Prince of Asturias, today's King Felipe VI, a detail that ties the site to the region's broader heritage narrative. It's worth checking ahead for days when steam locomotives are scheduled to run, since these demonstrations don't happen daily but are the museum's signature experience. Outside the busiest summer weeks, the museum tends to be quieter, giving visitors more room to examine the rolling stock and exhibits at their own pace.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Asturias Railway Museum? It's a museum dedicated to the railway history of Asturias, located in the former Gijón North station building, displaying historic rolling stock together with industrial machinery tied to the region's rail network.

How many exhibits does it hold? The collection includes around 50 locomotives and carriages, plus additional equipment once used in Asturian mines, ports, and foundries.

Can visitors ride a historic train at the museum? Yes — on special occasions, steam locomotives are put into operation and carry visitors along tracks within the museum grounds.

When did the museum open? It was officially inaugurated on 22-23 October 1998 by the then Prince of Asturias, now King Felipe VI of Spain.