Free walking tours in León and what to see

Must-sees

León Cathedral is famous for its stained glass, which covers an enormous area and fills the interior with coloured light. It’s Gothic with a strong French influence. Nearby is the Romanesque basilica of San Isidoro, with the Royal Pantheon, whose murals are known as the Sistine Chapel of Romanesque art.

Between the two monuments is the Barrio Húmedo, the tapas area around the Plaza de San Martín, where you usually get a free tapa with your drink. Close by are the Casa Botines, by Gaudí, and the Palacio de los Guzmanes. By the Bernesga river, the old convent of San Marcos, now a parador, has a great Plateresque façade. The MUSAC adds a contemporary counterpoint.

Free tours and guided visits

The usual free tour covers the Plaza de Regla, the outside of the cathedral, the Casa Botines, the Barrio Húmedo, the Plaza Mayor and the remains of the wall. It explains León’s history from the camp of the Legio VII to the old kingdom. The Camino de Santiago passes through here and usually comes up. Guided visits to the cathedral and the Royal Pantheon are worth it. For day trips, Astorga with its Gaudí bishop’s palace, El Bierzo and Las Médulas.

How long to spend

With a day and a half or two days you see the main sights. Spend the first on the cathedral, the Barrio Húmedo and the Casa Botines, and the second on San Isidoro, San Marcos and the MUSAC. If you have a third day, Astorga is less than an hour away and combines well. Las Médulas need a full day.

Where to stay

The old town, between the cathedral and the Plaza Mayor, is the best base: everything is close and the Barrio Húmedo bars are on your doorstep. It can be noisy at night at weekends. The Ordoño II area and the Ensanche, between the centre and the river, are quieter and still a few minutes’ walk away. For something special, the San Marcos parador occupies a historic building.