What to do in León

Cathedrals Spain

León is one of those tourist destinations in Spain that, although perhaps less known than other cities in the country, leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth of all travelers who have the pleasure of knowing it. Not only because of the fantastic tradition of free tapas and pinchos that are served in its bars and that delight locals and visitors, but also because of the surprising historical-cultural heritage that its streets treasure. Do you dare to know León? 

Located in Castilla y León, this vibrant and bustling city has a historic center that can be easily explored on foot as it is not excessively large. Walking through its streets we will discover its traditional houses with large windows, typical shops where you can buy souvenirs and cafes where you can stop on the route to recharge your batteries, since in León there is much to do and see.

Leon Cathedral

Leon Cathedral

Image of the exterior facade of the Cathedral of León

Its construction began in the XNUMXth century on the same land occupied by a Roman baths. Those who have visited it describe it as the most beautiful and French-style Gothic cathedral in Spain. In fact, it has the nickname of Pulchra leonina, which means beautiful Leon.

Probably, its imposing façade is what most catches your attention since it stands out from the rest of the buildings in the old town. Inside, a special mention deserves its fabulous polychrome stained glass windows that create spectacular plays of light inside the temple when the sun's rays pass through them.

Also the altarpiece of the main altar, the work of the Flemish sculptor Nicolás Francés, and the choir of the cathedral, one of the oldest preserved in Spain. A visit to the temple next to the cloister / museum is recommended.
As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the Cathedral of León was the first to be declared a monument in 1844 in Spain.

In the Plaza de Regla, where the cathedral is located, one of the typical things to do in León during a visit is to take a picture in the bronze letters that form the name of the city.

Romanesque collegiate church of San Isidoro

Image | Leon.es

Very close to the cathedral of León and the remains of the old wall we find the Romanesque Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, a basilica built in the XNUMXth century that houses, according to tradition, the Holy Grail. What is certain is that it contains the Royal Pantheon of the monarchs of the ancient kingdom of León, known as "the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque" as well as the oldest cloister in Spain, and some beautiful frescoes that show the life of Christ and scenes of everyday life in the Middle Ages.

Next to the Romanesque Collegiate Church of San Isidoro is the Museum of San Isidoro, one of the most important in León.

Guzmanes Palace

Image | Wikipedia

Located on Ancha Street, the busiest in the city, is the Palacio de los Guzmanes, a XNUMXth century building that is currently the headquarters of the León Provincial Council. You can get to know the inside through a guided tour by purchasing a ticket for 2 or 3 euros. In 1963 it was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest

Botines house

Next to the Palacio de los Guzmanes we find the Casa Botines, one of the three works that the famous modernist architect Antonio Gaudí carried out outside of Catalonia.

It was commissioned by a family with Catalan roots to house a private home and the headquarters of a textile company in the center of León. Currently, the property belongs to a bank and hosts exhibitions and other cultural activities. It was declared a Historical Monument in 1969.

In the Plaza de San Marcelo where Casa Botines is located, in front of the main entrance, you can take a photo with a sculpture of the architect sitting on a bench while contemplating his creation.

Museums of León

If during your visit you have some time to spare, it is advisable to go to one of León's museums to get to know it better, such as the Ethnographic Museum, the City History Museum, the Episcopal Museum or the Sierra Pambley House-Museum (where a house XNUMXth century bourgeoisie), among others.

Roman wall

Of the old Roman wall 36 towers still stand. On Avenida de los Cubos, just behind the cathedral, and on Avenida Ramón y Cajal, next to the Collegiate Church of San Isidro, you can see one of the sections that delimited the center of León.

Church and convent of San Marcos

Image | Castilla y León Tourism

Outside the Romantic and Humid neighborhoods you will find the Convent of San Marcos, which is considered one of the most important monuments of the Spanish Renaissance and which today is the National Parador of León.

The San Marcos Convent was built on the remains of a 1537th century building that offered shelter to pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Given the deterioration of the structure, it was demolished to build the convent with funds contributed by King Fernando El Catolico in XNUMX.

Throughout its history, in addition to being a religious building, it has been used as a prison (the writer Francisco de Quevedo was imprisoned here for four years), as a Teaching Institute, as a prison hospital, as a Veterinary School or Ministry of War, Finance and Education, among other uses.

Inside the Convent of San Marcos it is possible to visit the Museum, the Chapter House and the Cloister. You can also enter the Church of San Marcos, which is next to the Parador Nacional.

Located next to the river, its Plateresque façade contrasts with the innovative buildings of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MUSAC), the headquarters of the Junta de Castilla y León or the Auditorium.

Romantic and Humid Neighborhood

Image | Wikiloc

So much visiting and walking whets your appetite, right? The most famous areas where you can enjoy Leonese cuisine and tapas are the Barrio Romántico and the Barrio Húmedo. León has a tradition of serving a quality tapa for free with each drink, so that it can be easily eaten with tapas and pinchos. Isn't it fantastic?

What else to do in León?

If you want to complete your visit to León, drop by Las Médulas, a place located in El Bierzo resulting from the excavations carried out by the Romans in search of gold and declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.


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