ABOUT GIJÓN
PEOPLE
It is the most populated municipality in Asturias. About 280,000 people live in its municipal district, 90% of whom live in the city of Gijon.
WEATHER
In summer the average temperature is 19.5ºC and in winter 9.5ºC. Always bring informal and warm clothes and footwear.
SAFETY
One of the safest of the country, with an extremely low accident rate. You can enjoy yourself without any problems until very late at night.
TOURISM
Botanic garden, Roman terms, San Pedro church, Elogio del Horizonte, Main Square, Providencia promenade…
ACCOMMODATION
You can find prices and information about hotels in Accommodation:
AIRPORT
The airport of Asturias (OVD) is found in the locality of Santiago del Monte, 48 km from Gijón (approx. 35 minutes), connected by the A8 motorway.
Gijón’s profile is determined by the sea. The city lies at the heart of the Asturian coastline. Located between Capes Torres and San Lorenzo, Gijón has always lived under the protection of the Cantabrian sea, which has determined its industrial, commercial and urban development as well as its weather or even its personality. the presence of the sea, its smell and buzz penetrate through the city’s streets and reach even the innermost areas of the town. Nine beaches, some in the downtown and others hidden between cliffs, a marina that has repeteadly been awarded the blue flag for the quality of its facilities and an industrial growing port comprise Gijón’s sea front, eighteen kilometers of coast that walkers can cover almost entirely without interruption.
How to get to Gijón
By bus
- From Madrid: ALSA offers direct services from Estación Sur and T4 (~5h 30 min–6h).
- From Barcelona: ALSA from Estación Nord (~11 – 12 h).
By train
- From Madrid: High-speed train (AVE) to Asturias (Oviedo/Gijón) in 4 – 4.5 h.
- From Barcelona: AVE to Madrid + connection to Gijón (~8 – 9 h).
By plane
- Asturias Airport (OVD), 30 min from Gijón.
- From Madrid: Iberia, Air Europa, Vueling (~1 h 15 min).
- From Barcelona: Vueling and Volotea (~1 h 30 min).
ABOUT ASTURIAS
If there’s such a thing as the perfect combination of culture, nature and gastronomy, then you’ll find it in Asturias. The first thing to catch your attention when you travel to this region in what is known as Green Spain is its spectacular scenery. This can be seen in places such as the Picos de Europa National Park, and at one of its most legendary sites: the Covadonga Lakes.
As well as the mountains, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful beaches in holiday resorts such as Llanes, Ribadesella, Gijón and Cudillero. These magnificent settings are ideal for contemplating from any of the numerous viewing points, or for enjoying a range of water sports such as surfing.
Gastronomy in Asturias is synonymous with a total dedication to the cult of good food. Cabrales cheese, the typical Asturian bean stew known as “fabada”, cider made from local apples… There are a whole host of typical dishes and products that are guaranteed to leave visitors with a delicious aftertaste. Its cultural attractions include a range of important monuments in Oviedo and in the Kingdom of Asturias (the delightful churches of Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de Prados, for example) which have been declared World Heritage sites by the UNESCO, as well as the various archaeological sites, caves and museums of rock art to be found throughout the area, featuring spectacular paintings and engravings dating from as long ago as 25,000 years B.C.
More information here.
Venue
About Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura is one of the most iconic venues in Gijón and northern Spain. Originally inaugurated in 1955 as the Universidad Laboral de Gijón, it was restored in the early 21st century as a cultural, educational and artistic complex. Today it hosts institutions such as LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre, the School of Dramatic Arts, and the Professional Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Key facilities include the Laboral Theatre, the Paraninfo Hall, multipurpose rooms for congresses and exhibitions, the elliptical church, and the tower offering panoramic views over Gijón and the Cantabrian Sea.
Declared a Cultural Heritage Site, Laboral combines history, monumental architecture and contemporary activity, providing an ideal setting for national and international academic and scientific events.
How to get Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
From Asturias Airport (OVD)
Located about 40 km from Gijón (30–35 minutes by car or taxi). There is also an ALSA bus line to Gijón Bus Station every hour. From there, Laboral can be reached by taxi or by city buses 1, 2, 18 or 26.
From Gijón Train Station (Sanz Crespo)
Located about 4 km from the venue. Approximately 10 minutes by taxi or by city bus (lines 1, 2 or 18).
From Gijón Bus Station (Calle Magnus Blikstad)
10–15 minutes by taxi or about 20 minutes by city bus (lines 1, 2 or 26).
VISA REQUERIMENTS
A valid travel document is required to travel to Spain to attend to the 68th IAVS Symposium. Spain is a member state of the Schengen Area, so that citizens of the Schengen Area only need a valid passport or ID document.
There are also countries whose nationals are not required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to enter any member country of the Schengen Area for tourism or business purposes for stays up to three months. The list of those countries can be found at www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-doesnt-need-a-visa/
The citizens of the rest of the countries (www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/) need to request a Schengen Visa, which is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries.
The Schengen Visa can be requested at the Spanish embassies and consulates with territorial competence for the country in which the IAVS Symposium participant resides (www.exteriores.gob.es/en/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx).
If you need a personal letter of invitation for visa application to attend the Conference, please contact IAVS Symposium (sending an email to iavs2026@azulcongresos.com indicating in the subject “IAVS Symposium Letter of Invitation”). It will be issued only after you have successfully completed your conference registration, so that, please, register as early as you can to make sure you have enough time to get your visa. Your name should be listed exactly in the registration as it appears on your passport in order to avoid a delay/denial of the visa. Please, note that such an invitation letter is not a certificate of participation or certificate of attendance.
Accommodation
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