Castilla y León Guide

With wonderful castles, monuments and old cities, along with glorious summer weather, Castilla y León makes such an inviting retreat.

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This region (the biggest in Spain) which is steeped in history and full of culture remains untouched by tourism and the pace of modern life so is ideal for those who are looking to get away from it all. But there are still plenty of attractions to discover like the grand city of León with its magnificent cathedral and Burgos which is one of the main stops on Europe's most important pilgrimage way, the Camino de Santiago.

This is also an area of outstanding natural beauty - the Lago de Sanabria near Zamora is the largest lake in the country and has deep valleys and mountainous zones with amazing glacier lagoons that stretch as far as 20 kilometres. Marked footpaths are numerous in the surrounding nature reserve to take in the breathtaking countryside and abundant wildlife.

Places to visit in Castilla y León

Avila

A superb historic town, entirely enclosed by ancient walls which boast a total of 88 small towers.

Burgos

Around the cathedral is a lively city with busy bars and restaurants as well as lovely parks, elegant squares and wide avenues.

Segovia

This is home to the famous fairytale castle Alcazar and a massive Roman aqueduct that dominates this charming town.

Zamora

This is a beautiful medieval city with a fine cathedral and several great Romanesque churches.

Things to do in Castilla y León

Walking in La Sierra de Francia

This protected natural park south of Salamanca is a gem of an area for ramblers. Walk from one beautiful medieval village to another through orchards, streams and vineyards whilst enjoying panoramic views.

Watersports

For an inland region, Castilla y León offers a surprising range of water sports. The broad river basins, reservoirs and artificial beaches provide plenty of facilities for boating, canoeing, sailing and fishing.

Food and drink in Castilla y León

• Lechazo from Burgos, Spain's best tasting lamb
• Roast suckling pig. Morcilla, a black pudding made with rice
• Lazos de San Guillermo, bow-shaped pastries
• Vega Sicilia from the Ribera del Duero region is reported to be one of the best red wines in Spain
• El Bierzo near León produces excellent Godello whites and Mencia reds