Leon, Spain Travel Guide

327km (203 miles) NW of Madrid, 196km (122 miles) N of Salamanca

Once the leading city of Christian Spain, this cathedral town was the capital of a centuries-old empire that declined after uniting with Castile. León today serves as a gateway between Castilla and Galicia’s pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela (hence the pilgrim statue above). It is a sprawling city, but nearly everything of interest to visitors -- monuments, restaurants, and hotels -- is located in the center of the city.

Once the heartbeat of a great kingdom, León today is a sleepy provincial city off the beaten track. But its wealth of old monuments, and a certain regal atmosphere make the town still feel like a capital.

Outlying mountain villages offer their own architectural gems, fine ski runs, and tasty concoctions of local trout and meat. Also, the region is particularly renowned for its soft-spoken, pristine Castilian accent. In sum, León is an excellent place to experience the tranquillity of the Spanish heartland, as well as an obligatory stop for students of medieval architecture, if only to see the engineering feats of the cathedral.