The 16 things to do in Castile-et-Léon

What to do in Castile and Leon? Between the mythical cities of Salamanca and Segovia, the villages nestled in sierras and the grandiose landscapes... Discover the places not to be missed to discover this unique region!

Spanish culture enthusiasts will have images full of their heads if they are told about the city of Salamanca. His university which has seen so many great men, his students dressed in black... Visiting Castile-et-Léon is a must.

Other images come when you think of Segovia and its Roman aqueduct, which survived many civilizations. And don't talk about these arid landscapes with reddish reflections that could not be more typically Spanish.

In short, Castile and Leon is a Romanesque region that has marked our imagination! But what are the places to see to fully discover it? In this article, discover 16 must-sees not to be missed.

1. Salamanca

A mythical city, Salamanca has haunted the imagination of poets and writers for centuries. Walking on its streets is a real journey through Renaissance Spain.

Salamanca was then a major cultural and intellectual centre. The university is here to testify. Founded at the beginning of the 13th century, it is one of the first in Europe.

The majority of the buildings in the old town are made of the same golden stone, forming a beautiful unit. Don’t miss admiring the cathedral of Salamanca and its richly decorated altarpiece. Some details are tasty: one thinks of the small astronaut who appeared in recent years...

2. Arribes del Duero

Visiting Castile-et-Léon is an opportunity to admire the deepest canyons of the entire Iberian Peninsula! For this, go to Arribes del Duero Natural Park.

Extending over 100,000 hectares, it houses a multitude of rivers that have dug up steep gorges. The most eminent is the Duero River, or Douro, which marks the separation between Spain and the Portugal .

Many viewers await you on the road. They offer great views of this unspoiled and wild landscape.

Landscape that can also prove to be a real playground for lovers (experienced) of hiking and climbing!

3. Ségovie

Unique and fascinating, Ségovie alone deserves the same journey as Salamanca. Its little paved streets are a pleasure to explore.

They will lead you to the Alcazar, a true architectural treasure overlooking the Eresma Valley. Visit him to explore his richly decorated rooms and admire his panorama!

Don't miss the splendid Gothic cathedral of Ségovie, built under the reign of Charles Quint.

But the most emblematic monument in the city remains the Roman aqueduct. Extraordinarily well preserved, it fills the old city with two millennia of History.

4. Las Medulas

It’s hard to forget the silhouettes of the Medulas once we’ve seen them. cliffs and rose rock pitons suddenly emerge from a vast forest of green oaks. They form a strange landscape, which one might believe comes from another planet.

But the most amazing thing is that these geological formations were shaped by Man. Indeed, it is the remains of a gold mine exploited by the Romans between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD.

When you go there, you will have the opportunity to explore the amazing reliefs of the Medulas. But it is also the opportunity to visit the ruins of fortified Celtic villages, the “ castros”. Between the beauty of the site and its very ancient history, the visit promises a lot of emotions.

5. Pedraza

Visiting Castile-et-Léon is an opportunity to discover places suspended in time. And it’s no place as true as Pedraza! This small medieval bastide is perched on a rocky eminence. All around, the green sierra offers a decor of choice.

Walk in the paved streets of Pedraza, discovering his seigneurial houses and his castle. The contrast between the stone and the surrounding nature is magnificent.

However, avoid going there the weekend if you want to live a real immersion. In fact, Pedraza is at 1:30 am from the capital and the Madrilènes then go there.

6. Burgos

City of birth of the Cid and important stage of the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route Burgos is one of the must-sees to visit in Castile and Leon.

In the pure tradition of the cities of Spain, it shines for its architectural and religious heritage, as well as for its soft and festive atmosphere.

Discover its remarkable cathedral, the monastery of Las Huelgas and the church of San Esteban. Finally, take a look at the colorful banks of the Arlanzón río before enjoying a glass on the terrace!

7. The Burgos waterfalls

What to visit in Castile-et-Léon in the spring, after rain and ice melting? If you stay close to Burgos, you can go to discover the many waterfalls of the province.

The majority are in the north, towards Merindades. Here are the most spectacular:

• Orbaneja del Castillo, beautiful cascade that opens in a fan at the foot of the eponymous village;
• the fall of Nerviónthe highest of the entire Iberian Peninsula with its 220 meters high;
• the waterfall of the Pisas, the highlight of the show of a very pretty hike.

8. Frías

It would be a shame to visit the Castile-et-Léon without seeing the castle of the Dukes of Frías. As melted in the stone, it overlooks the city from the top of a sharp sparrow.

To see him on his best day, go to the Barranco del Molinar window. But you can also visit it, after walking through the medieval streets of the city.

Enjoy the atmosphere of the pretty places of Frías and amaze yourself in front of some buildings, which overlook the void... A very nice getaway to do if you plan to visit Castile-et-Léon!

9. Zamora

Looking for a weekend trip to Castille-et-Léon? Romantic city par excellence, Zamora lends itself perfectly to the ride.

It contains the largest concentration of Romanesque churches throughout Europe! But its beautiful cathedral, its castle and its Art Deco buildings are also worth a visit.

The discreet and romantic charm of Zamora delights visitors. And not to spoil anything, the city is not tourist. It therefore enjoys a typical ambience in Spanish.

To be determined The Holy Week in Zamora is one of the most beautiful and authentic in Spain. If you’re around, don’t hesitate!

10. The sierra of Gredos

Gredos will be a very popular destination for nature lovers and hiking. It houses a mountain range that peaks at the peak of Almanzor, at 2,592 meters above sea level.

Here, biodiversity is of a wealth that we find little in the rest of Europe. Among the fauna and flora are many endemic species.

And because of this, Gredos will have a wide variety of landscapes. While the north slope offers soft reliefs punctuated with glacial lakes, the south slope is amazed by its steep and turbulent granite formations. It's a big deal.

11. Peñalba de Santiago

Visit the valley of Silence to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. You reach Peñalba de Santiago by a narrow and winding road...

But don't get discouraged! Indeed, the place is splendid. The typical stone houses have been completely restored, and their slate roofs seem to melt in the landscape.

The Bierzo mountains dominate the village, bringing a near surreal touch. We'd believe in a movie scene... In short, this is a destination not to be missed, and this, no matter the time of the year!

12. La laguna negra de Urbión

If you are looking for what to do in Castile-et-Léon to recharge your time for a day, we have what you need! From Soria, go to the laguna negra.

It is a small glacial lake surrounded by a circular cliff where two cascades emerge. This beautiful landscape is the culmination of a beautiful two-kilometre trail.

In the summer, the walk takes place in the shade of trees. You can even swim in the lagoon! But in winter, the site does not lose its appeal. The bright color of the water is highlighted by the snow. Both grandiose and soothing.

13. Ávila

What to do in Castile-et-Léon to take height? Visit the highest province capital of Spain, perched at an altitude of 1,131 metres!

As soon as Ávila is seen in the distance, it is difficult to remain insensitive to its beauty. Indeed, the city is surrounded by golden ramparts, erected in the 11th century.

Very beautiful, they are also exceptionally well preserved. Inside, the old town is discovered for its discreet charm and authenticity.

14. Puentedey

Located in the province of Burgos, Puentedey is a village out of the community. His name means "God Bridge." And for cause, it is partly built on a large arch of natural rock, shaped by the action of time and the Nela River.

Since the Middle Ages at least, this geological formation has been given a sacred character. But this is not the only thing to see in Puentedey! Visit the cave of the Saints, dug in the ark, and the Romanesque church of San Pelayo.

Its old door is decorated with a battle scene against a dragon... Perhaps it is Saint-Georges, or then a creature connected to the Pont de Dieu?

15. Las Tuerces

Amateurs of unusual landscapes and geological bizarreries, go to the natural monument of the Las Tuerces labyrinth! This is a set of rock formations.

Upper ground. A path allows you to discover them. Stones, arches, bridges, mushrooms... The evocative forms of Las Tuerces awaken the imagination. We sometimes call them gigantic footra las tortugas , that is, the giant turtles of stone.

A tip: to live a moment out of time, go to the site a little before sunrise...

16. Calatañazor

Are you rafting picturesque villages? Those who give you the impression of traveling in time and really plunging into local culture?

Then visit Castile-et-Léon will not be without a hint in Calatañazor... Nestled in the Blood Valley, this very pretty village is surrounded by a large wall. Inside, the houses have preserved a traditional style. A very good example of rural habitat in the region.

And if you are looking for what to do in Castille-et-Léon to see beautiful landscapes, Calatañazor is a good base-to-terre. Indeed, it is not far from the beautiful Sabines forest or the natural monument La Fuentona.

How to get to Castile and Leon?

By car

Would you like to visit Castile and Leon by car? By taking the highway, it will take about 12 heures since Paris , Lyon or Marseille and about 7 a.m. since Bordeaux .

To visit the area in depth, the car is an excellent option. You can opt for a rental car once on site. It will cost you between 15€ and 20€ per day, depending on the season.

By train or bus

Thanks to the Renfe railway company, you can reach Castile-et-Léon via the following lines:

• Valladolid – Madrid1h)
• Salamanca – Madrid2:30)
• Burgos – Madrid2:30).

In the same way, many local or international bus lines allow you to go to the region.

By plane

To visit Castile-et-Léon, you can go to Valladolid Airport or Salamanca Airport. From Paris, it will take about 2 hours Flight.

However, the best option is to fly to Madrid airport, then to Castile-et-Léon by train or by bus. Indeed, the region is close to the capital.

Do you want to save on the price of the flight ticket? Then use our partner's website Skyscanner . You only have to inform your departure airport and your dates, and it will find for you flights at the best price!

Where to stay in Castile-et-Léon?

The main cities of Castile-et-Léon are Valladolid, Léon, Burgos and Salamanca. Would you like to stay in a big city? Turn around. Salamanca , Burgos or Ségovie More interesting.

They will be a good drop to radiate in the region. But also, why not, to go out at night! Between luxury hotels, hostels and hotels Airbnb , they offer a wide range of accommodations.

If you are looking for a quieter place, you will find charming hotels, gites, and even unusual accommodation in the countryside of Castile-et-Léon.

Want to do good business? Use this Compare hotels to choose the ideal accommodation according to your dates.