The seaside resort loved by the Spanish with unspoilt beaches and cider houses

Within minutes of arriving at my Spanish host’s party, the sound of bagpipes – or la gaita – filled the air. The revellers held hands and began the Danza Prima, a traditional dance that reminded me of my own Scots-Irish culture. Before long, I was offered a plate of local jamón and blue cheese, and a glass of cloudy cider.

“This is typical of the region of Asturias ,” explained my host, Raquel. “We are proud to be Spanish, but we also have our own culture that goes back way further.”

Gijón , in autonomous Asturias, north-west Spain, is a laid-back beach city, adored by the Spanish but less well-known by Britons. Only 30,000 UK travellers visited the region last year – compared with nearly three million domestic visitors. By comparison, Madrid received almost half a million UK visi