León (pop. 165,000) is the last big city along the Camino de Santiago where pilgrims have a chance to rest, enjoy delicious tapas, and visit a gorgeous cathedral. It’s easy to feel at home in León; though big, its streets are easy to navigate and its natives are friendly and welcome. They are also fiercely proud of León’s distinct identity, apart from the enveloping province of Castilla y León. The Roman Legion named the town Legio in AD 68, but derivations over the years have led the name to León, or lion. The city was also a stronghold against the Moors during the Reconquista. The spectacular blue stained-glass windows of its famous cathedral have earned León the nickname La Ciudad Azul. This Gothic masterpiece is only a starting point for exploration of León’s parks, bustling cafes, and raucous nightlife.
Flights: Aeropuerto de León, Air Nostrum (☎ 902 40 05 00) flies to Barcelona and Madrid. Lagun Air (☎ 902 34 03 00) services Alicante, Ibiza, Málaga, Menorca, Palma, Sevilla, and Valencia. Trains ...more
Most of León, including the old city (León Gótico) and the modern commercial district, lies on the east side of the Río Bernesga. The bus and train stations are across the river on the west side. Av ...more
Moderately priced hostels are fairly easy to find, thanks to the yearly influx of pilgrims on their way to Santiago, but they tend to fill up during the June fiestas. If you plan to visit León on a weekend ...more
Inexpensive eateries fill the area near the cathedral and the small streets off Calle Ancha; also check Plaza de San Martín near Pl. Mayor. Pork-lovers will rejoice, as local menus are heavily porcine ...more
IGLESIA CATEDRAL DE SANTA MARÍA. A breathtakingly beautiful 13th-century Gothic cathedral, La Pulchra Leonina exhibits the country’s best Gothic architecture. Silhouetted against a clear sky, the ...more
For bars, discos, and techno, head to the barrio húmedo (“wet neighborhood,” for its free-flowing alcohol) around Pl. de San Martín and Pl. Mayor. Walk up C. Ancha toward the cathedral and turn right ...more
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