Termas Romanas Campo Valdés
Step back 2,000 years at Gijón's free Roman Baths, a remarkably preserved archaeological site showcasing ancient engineering and daily life.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Termas Romanas Campo Valdés
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back 2,000 years at Gijón's free Roman Baths, a remarkably preserved archaeological site showcasing ancient engineering and daily life.
"It feels as if I was there 2 thousand years ago."
🎯 Free Admission!
Enjoy this incredible historical site without spending a dime. Entry is completely free!
📍 Find the Entrance
The entrance can be tricky to spot as it's underground, in front of the church. Look carefully!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ancient Hypocaust System
Caldarium
Marvel at the ingenious underfloor heating system that warmed the Roman baths, a testament to their advanced engineering.
Preserved Mosaics
Various rooms
Gaze upon intricate mosaic fragments that once adorned the floors and walls, offering a splash of ancient artistry.
The Frigidarium
Cold Room
Experience the 'cold room' where Romans would cool off, a vital part of their bathing ritual.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Free Entry, Hidden Gem
Unearthing Roman Life
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Admission!
Enjoy this incredible historical site without spending a dime. Entry is completely free!
📍 Find the Entrance
The entrance can be tricky to spot as it's underground, in front of the church. Look carefully!
🗣️ Friendly Staff
The personnel on-site are noted for being very nice and helpful during your visit.
🚶♀️ Explore Cimadevilla
Located in the heart of Gijón's old town, combine your visit with exploring the charming Cimadevilla neighborhood.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Admission!
Enjoy this incredible historical site without spending a dime. Entry is completely free!
📍 Find the Entrance
The entrance can be tricky to spot as it's underground, in front of the church. Look carefully!
🗣️ Friendly Staff
The personnel on-site are noted for being very nice and helpful during your visit.
🚶♀️ Explore Cimadevilla
Located in the heart of Gijón's old town, combine your visit with exploring the charming Cimadevilla neighborhood.
📸 Capture the History
While some areas can be a bit dark, the preservation is fantastic. Bring your camera to document this ancient marvel.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Termas Romanas Campo Valdés for its historical significance, impressive preservation, and the incredible fact that it's free to enter. Many find it a fascinating glimpse into Roman life and engineering. Some reviewers mention difficulty finding the entrance and a lack of English signage as minor drawbacks.
"The Roman Baths of Campo Valdés are one of the most significant Roman archaeological sites in northern Spain. Located in the heart of Gijón’s old town, specifically in the Campo Valdés area near San Pedro Church and the waterfront, these baths date back to the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD.
The baths were public facilities used by the inhabitants of the Roman settlement at Gijón for bathing, socializing, and relaxing. They were a central feature of Roman urban life and demonstrate the advanced engineering and comfort standards of the time.
Features and Layout
The site has been carefully excavated and preserved, allowing visitors to see the remains of various rooms typical of Roman baths:
Frigidarium: The cold room, where bathers would start or end their visit with a cold plunge.
Tepidarium: The warm room, for gradual acclimatization between the cold and hot areas.
Caldarium: The hot room, heated by a hypocaust system (an underfloor heating system).
Other facilities: Changing rooms (apodyterium), exercise areas, and service corridors.
The baths were richly decorated with mosaics and frescoes, fragments of which have been discovered during excavations.
Entrance is free and personnel in place was really nice and helpful"
Manuel Gonzalez Vazquez
"If you like history, you must visit this place! It’s really interesting how the romans build this place almost 2000 years ago!"
Wesley Rodrigues
"Very interesting museum regarding roman baths, an exposition about local history and how it was discovered."
Jake Nong
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Termas Romanas Campo Valdés are located in the heart of Gijón's old town, in the Campo Valdés area, near the San Pedro Church and the waterfront. It's easily accessible on foot if you are exploring the historic center.
Parking in the old town of Gijón can be challenging. It's recommended to use public transport or park in a nearby public car park and walk to the site.
Yes, Gijón has a good public bus network. Several lines stop near the old town, making it convenient to reach the Termas Romanas Campo Valdés. Check local bus routes for the most direct options.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The best part? Admission to the Termas Romanas Campo Valdés is completely free!
Opening hours can vary, so it's advisable to check the official Gijón tourism website or local listings before your visit to confirm current times.
No, advance booking is not required as the entry is free. You can typically walk in during opening hours.
While the main site is free, any special temporary exhibitions or events held at the Termas Romanas Campo Valdés might have separate admission fees. It's best to inquire locally.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the remarkably preserved remains of Roman baths, including the frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room), and caldarium (hot room), heated by an ancient hypocaust system. You'll also see fragments of mosaics.
A visit usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, allowing you to fully appreciate the historical significance and details of the site.
Due to its nature as an archaeological site with underground structures, accessibility might be limited in certain areas. It's recommended to contact the site directly for specific accessibility information.
While not always advertised, sometimes local guides or museum staff offer insights. It's worth asking at the entrance if any informal explanations are available.
Information signage might primarily be in Spanish. While there isn't always an English audio guide, the visual remains are impressive.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed for personal use, allowing you to capture the impressive ancient structures.
Focus on the well-preserved sections of the baths, especially the hypocaust system and any visible mosaic fragments. The overall scale of the ruins is also very photogenic.
It's always best to check for signage regarding flash photography, as it can sometimes be restricted to protect delicate artifacts. However, many areas are dimly lit, so natural light or a tripod might be more effective.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the site is underground and can be a bit dark, the sheer scale of the ruins is impressive. It's a great opportunity to spark curiosity about ancient civilizations. Consider bringing a small flashlight for kids to explore with, and make it a treasure hunt to find different parts of the baths. The nearby Cimadevilla neighborhood also offers plenty of space to run around after the visit.
🏛️ History Buffs & Culture Seekers
As a 'museum of the site,' the ruins are displayed in their original context, offering an authentic and immersive experience. The free admission makes it an accessible way to delve into Roman urbanism and engineering. Combine your visit with exploring other historical aspects of Gijón to gain a comprehensive understanding of the region's past.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Pair this free attraction with other affordable activities like exploring the beaches, wandering through the old town, and enjoying local tapas. The site's central location also means you can easily walk to it, saving on transportation costs.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Glimpse into Roman Life
The layout includes the frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room), and caldarium (hot room). The caldarium's warmth was generated by a sophisticated hypocaust system, an underfloor heating network where hot air circulated, a testament to Roman engineering prowess. Fragments of mosaics and frescoes, though often faded, hint at the once-rich decoration of these spaces, allowing us to imagine the grandeur of the original structure.
Discovered during urban development, the site has been carefully excavated and preserved as a 'museum of the site,' meaning the ruins are displayed in situ. This approach provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to truly feel the scale and atmosphere of these ancient public baths. The free entry makes it an exceptionally valuable cultural stop for anyone interested in history.
+1Navigating the Site and Its History
The history of the baths is intertwined with the discovery of Gijón's Roman heritage. Excavations revealed a substantial complex that was a central part of Roman urban life. The preservation is impressive, allowing for a vivid understanding of how these spaces functioned. While some areas might be dimly lit, this adds to the atmospheric feel of stepping back in time.
Photography is generally permitted, so be sure to capture the intricate details and the sheer scale of the ruins. Combining a visit to the Termas Romanas with a stroll through the charming Cimadevilla neighborhood, Gijón's old fishing quarter, offers a complete historical and cultural experience. The proximity to the coast and other historical landmarks makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the city's rich past.
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