León

Castilla y León

A spirited cathedral city marking the gateway to the final third of the Francés.

A short history

Founded by the Roman Seventh Legion in the 1st century, León became capital of the medieval Kingdom of León and a key Camino stop. Its Gothic cathedral — with the largest stained-glass program in Europe — has welcomed pilgrims for nearly 800 years.

What to see

Catedral de León (Pulchra Leonina)
Basílica de San Isidoro and its Romanesque frescoes
Casa Botines by Antoni Gaudí
Convento de San Marcos

Where to eat

Barrio Húmedo for free tapas with every drink
Mesón Jabugo for cecina (cured beef)
La Trastienda for refined Leonese cuisine

Where to sleep

Albergue de las Benedictinas — donativo
Hostal de San Marcos — splurge in a former pilgrim hospital