León highlights city walking tour

Plaza Mayor de León

The most beautiful building on the starting point of this tour is the Consistory Building (also called the Mirador building). Although sometimes called the Old Town Hall that title isn’t actually accurate as the only official purpose the building has is as a balcony for official city festivities.

Kruispunt

Plaza del Grano

The former grain market, this plaza is one of our favorite spots in León. It dates back to 1789 and is atmospheric with its cobblestones, arcaded houses, fountain, and for it’s small church (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Mercado). It’s a great place to go for drinks and tapas.

Roman & Medieval Stone Walls

There are different places to see the stone walls that used to surround and protect the city. One of our favorites was this spot, a few minutes down the street from Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Mercado. Next to San Isidoro church (soon to be covered) you’ll see even older walls, some dating from the 3rd century during the time of the Romans.

Casa Botines & Palacio De Los Guzmanes

Along the main pedestrian street (Calle Ancha) that cuts through old León, you’ll find some beautiful buildings and squares. Casa Botines is famous. It was built by Antoni Gaudi in neo-Gothic style in the late 1800’s. For a while it served as a bank, today it is a museum fedicated to Gaudi.

Plaza Santo Domingo

This square is the gateway to Avenida Ordoño, the main shopping street of Leon, where you find the Zara, Bershka etc..

Parque Pocoyo

On a hot day you will welcome the shadow of the lanes in this park next to the Rio Bernesga.

Convento de San Marcos

The old convent of San Marcos is one of the most famous and stunningly beautiful buildings in Leon. It’s made up the convent itself, which is now a luxury five-star hotel; a church consecrated in 1541; and a fascinating archaeological museum. It was a gift from Fernando the Catholic to the city of Leon and is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of the Spanish Renaissance.

Kruispunt

Basílica de San Isidoro

Built in Romanesque style, this Basilica dates from the 900’s and is famous for holding the relics of Isidore of Seville (the Archbishop of Seville for over 30 years and an important Christian scholar). The Basilica holds a lot of medieval art, beautiful (and colourful) frescoes, crypts and a library. Outside, the plaza is attractive with fountains and statues.

León Cathedral

It’s the highlight attraction in León and one of Spain’s most beautiful Cathedrals. It is nicknamed the “House of Light” because of its incredible stained Glass. If there is one place that you should pay to enter in León it HAS to be the Cathedral. Use the audio tour!

Plaza Mayor

It takes a few minutes to return from the Cathedral to the Plaza Mayor. It is one of the oldest town squares in Spain (Plaza Mayor translates to “Main Square”). This square is full of arcades, bars and restaurants. It was the commercial heart of the city in the Middle Ages and there is still a farmer’s market in the square every Saturday and Wednesday.