Espacio Portus and the Avilés Underwater Canyons Conservation Area

The Port of Avilés is a place where history and modernity come together. An estuary where the industrial landscape and natural surroundings come together, creating a unique setting. It is also a key driver of development for the businesses based on its banks and a true reflection of the historical evolution of port activity.

From its origins as a salt and fishing port in medieval times, through the era dominated by coal, steel and bulk goods, right up to the present day, with sectors such as the wind power and zinc industries, the Port of Avilés has successfully adapted to the changes of each era.

A former riverside shipyard, now converted into the Port of Avilés Interpretation Centre, allows visitors to discover this fascinating history. It is a space aimed at both local residents and visitors who wish to learn about the port’s evolution and importance over time.

To round off the visit, two one-hour educational walking tours are organised daily along the promenade on the right bank of the estuary, between San Juan de Nieva and Peña del Caballo. These tours are suitable for all audiences: families, associations, educational establishments at all levels, organised groups and people with special needs or reduced mobility, amongst others. Advance booking is required to take part.

The Avilés Submarine Canyons Interpretation Centre is a unique venue which, through the artistic representation of scientific content, aims to highlight one of the most exceptional and, at the same time, least known sites on the Cantabrian coast: the Gran Sima de Avilés.

To this end, visitors are offered a unique recreation of these underwater canyons, which stands out for its innovative creative, communicative and technological features, as well as for its high degree of immersion. The centre utilises advanced interactive imaging techniques, such as augmented and virtual reality, holograms and 3D models, offering a highly impactful educational and sensory experience.