Pericones Park

Pericones Park (Parque de los Pericones) is one of the largest green spaces in Gijón/Xixón, Asturias, sitting in the El Llano district. Locals from the surrounding neighborhoods treat it as the city's main outdoor escape — a place for a walk, a picnic, or a morning run with views over the rooftops and the bay.

Where did the park come from?

Pericones took shape in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Gijón's city council — under mayor Vicente Álvarez Areces — turned former meadows and post-industrial land into municipal parks as part of the city's broader urban renewal. Landscaping crews terraced the hillside, laid compacted-gravel paths, shaped stepped lawns, and planted windbreak belts of poplar, oak and birch that still shelter the park from the coastal wind today.

What will you see there?

The layout follows the late-20th-century Spanish approach to municipal green space: broad, open grassy areas ("campas") stretch across the crest of the hill, used for local fairs and public gatherings. Lower down are sports corners, children's play areas, and quieter, steeper slopes where the crowds thin out.

The park's spine is a long path that traces the natural ridge of the hill. On clear days it opens up views across the city's rooftops to the Bay of Biscay, and inland toward Monte Deva — the best spot in the park for photos and a breather partway through a longer walk.

One notable feature within the grounds is "El Bosque de la Memoria" (the Forest of Memory), inaugurated on June 4, 2010, on the initiative of the Anti-AIDS Citizens' Committee of Asturias (Comité Ciudadano Antisida de Asturias). It's a memorial space honoring AIDS victims, built into the park's expanded section.

How do you get there?

The park sits in the El Llano district, an easily reached part of Gijón close to residential neighborhoods on the city's east side. The most practical way in is by city bus — stops near the park connect El Llano with central Gijón. For those on foot or by bike, the park works as a natural crossing point between the eastern neighborhoods and the city center.

When should you visit?

Entry is free and the park is open year-round. Mornings are the best time to come — fewer people and cooler air make the hillside paths easier going — while late afternoon light shows off the bay views at their best. Spring and summer bring out the full green of the lawns and windbreak trees, though the quieter, bare-branch look of autumn and winter has its own appeal for a calmer walk.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, Pericones Park is free to enter and open every day.

What's the main highlight of the park? The ridge path with views over Gijón and the Bay of Biscay, along with "El Bosque de la Memoria," a memorial forest for AIDS victims inaugurated in 2010.

Is the park suitable for families with children? Yes — there are play areas and sports corners on site, and the broad, flat grassy areas at the top of the hill work well for picnics or open-air play.

What's the best way to reach the park? City bus service to the El Llano district is the most convenient option; the park is also within easy walking distance for residents of Gijón's eastern neighborhoods.