Things to do & places to visit in Castile and Leon, Spain

Much of northern Spain belongs to Castile-Leon, an autonomous region surrounded by mountains. Architectural gems like the Romanesque stonework of Segovia's city walls, the Gothic Burgos Cathedral and the dramatic Baroque square in Salamanca are complemented by the area's natural beauty. Parque Natural de las Hoces del Rio Duraton is marked with deep gorges and shelters many birds of prey, while Parque Natural del Lago de Sanabria y alrededores contains the largest glacier lagoon on the Iberian Peninsula.

Castile and Leon #7 destination in Spain 2023. The average rating score is 4.51 based on 156.3k traveler reviews, of 271 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Madrid, current date and time: Monday, April 29, 2024, 17:37.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Acueduct of Segovia (9.793 reviews)
- Absolutely amazing
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Absolutely amazing. If you are close to Madrid this a must to see Segovia and this fantastic aqueduct (only 1 hour drive from Madrid). When you have seen the aqueduct we can recommend you to take a walk and see the other intersting buildings in Segovia and the athmosphere in this city is really nice. See more..
5.0 Ciudad Vieja de Salamanca (2.988 reviews)
- Golden Old Town Shines
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas

Beautiful old town housing Spains oldest university. Largely built of sandstone, which lends a golden brown patina to the old town, especially at the golden evening hour. The sandstone allows out standing detail, and you will note elaborate relief carvings in many of the facades. There are nice plazas, the Plaza Mayor is amazing. The streets, many of them pedestrian only, bustle with students, locals, and tourist. There are numerous old religious structures, some repurposed as university buildings. There are excellent cafes and restaurants in the plazas and off the pedestrian streets. We sampled several, and they were all excellent. And if you keep going you will find a well preserved and still functional Roman bridge. See more..
5.0 Museo Nacional de Escultura (1.634 reviews)
- A museum to revisit several times
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The National Museum of Sculpture is one of the most important European museums on this discipline because of the quality of its collection, ranging from the Middle Ages to the Baroque, with a predominance of polychrome wood works: Alonso Berruguete, Juan de Juni, Gregorio Fernández, Mena, Martínez Montañés, Alonso Cano, etc. The 19th century, is represented by the plaster cast collection coming from the old National Museum of Artistic Reproductions. The historic value of the four buildings which make up the museum along the street reinforces the worthy character of the visit. The main building, Saint Gregory´s College, is one of the most singular examples of the architecture in the 15th century, next to the Palace of the Marquis de Villena, the House of the Sun and the church of St. Benedict the Elder. See more..
5.0 Ieronimus (1.445 reviews)
- Stunning views
Churches & Cathedrals

Totally worth it paying the entrance and going inside since it costs only 4 euro and there is a lot to see, you can climb up to different viewing platforms and it is not so tiring! You have amazing views and can walk outside. Also inside they have many exhibitions and bell tower. I think for the price it is worth it and you can easily spend one hour here. One of the highlights of my day in Salamanca! See more..
4.5 Plaza Mayor (8.090 reviews)
- ONE OF THE GREAT PLAZAS IN SPAIN
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

This 18th-century square is one of the largest in Spain. See more..
4.5 Catedral De Burgos (7.008 reviews)
- One of the best in Europe!
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

This is what Burgos is all about — its imposing 13-14 century gothic cathedral. Not only is the exterior impressive but equally as well, the interior is majestic. It’s main altar is very beautiful, full of gold but rather small compared to the entire church. The magic here are all the side 18 chapels, one more impressive than the other, in particular, St Ann’s, and the High Constable’s chapel behind the main altar and known as “the cathedral within the cathedral”. The Spanish hero. El Cid’s remains are interred beneath the cathedral’s dome also. Admission is 9 Euros and you will also get an audio guide which is vital for enjoying this site since English signage Is sparse or non-existent. This is a “must see” —- one of the best cathedrals in Europe. See more..
4.5 Alcázar of Segovia (6.176 reviews)
- Not to be missed whilst in Segovia
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Architectural Buildings • Castles

Fortress of the Kings of Castile and Royal School of Artillery Its picture has been around the world: a unique fairy tale-like palace that brings together architectural tastes of different monarchs. It tells -to all those who come to know it- ancient palatial stories. Austere, as they were the Castilian kings, raised on the rock at the confluence of the valleys of the rivers Eresma and Clamores, the Alcazar seems to watch over the city. Its beautiful Tower keep, often compared to the bow of a boat sailing between the two rivers, is of a stunning beauty. Tourists are amazed to realize that the fortress is a living part of this Castilian city, chosen as a place of residence for many of the monarchs of the Trastamara dynasty. See more..
4.5 Las Murallas de Ávila (5.431 reviews)
- Walk the walls!
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

I really enjoyed this, as an American we just dont have stuff like this. You go up a decent flight of stairs at the entry to the city, walk half a mile or so on the walls, with about half of the towers open for viewing, with small additional climbs up steep staircases. A popular guidebook chuffs at this as a less-interesting attraction, but at the end of the day, a week later, this is the one thing I really remember about Avila. So just do it. See more..
4.5 Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral (5.330 reviews)
- Must of Camino stop
Churches & Cathedrals

Gothic-era cathedral of golden sandstone with soaring stained glass windows and richly decorated West portals. See more..
4.5 Cathedral of Segovia (3.482 reviews) from $4.57
- Absolutely Vast and Breathtaking
Monday: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The Holy Cathedral of Segovia is a Catholic temple devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and San Frutos. During the Communions War (1520 – 1522) the Cathedral was destroyed, it was located in front of the Fortress. They decided to build a new one. The first stone of the new Cathedral was used the 8th of June 1525 in its current location and its design relies on the architect D. Juan Gil de Hontañón. A Late Gothic style can particularly be seen on the Cathedral’s tower, the highest one during the XVII century. In 1614, a fire caused the destruction of its wooden spire. Hence, a stone spire designed by Pedro de Brizuela was used as a substitute. It was consecrated the 16th of July 1768 by Bishop D. José Martínez Escalzo. Currently, it is known by many as “The Lady of Cathedrals”, due to its size and slenderness. See more..
4.5 Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja) (2.534 reviews)
- A medieval gem
Monday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The Old Cathedral (12 century — Romanesque ) is a church which is less glitzy than the New Cathedral. There are no gold laden chapels dripping with opulence. You see and feel the huge pillars supporting the ceilings typical of medieval structures. However, on my opinion, the main altar is more magnificent than in the New one - depicting scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary — very impressive. See more..
4.5 La Basilica De San Isidoro De Leon (2.179 reviews)
- Loved it!
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Religious Sites

The museum has the wellknown as the Sixtine Chapell of the Romanesque Art because of the 11th century romanesque frescoes, and the mythical chalice related by a recent research with the Holy Grail . See more..
4.5 Universidad de Salamanca (2.135 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Historic Sites • Educational sites • Government Buildings

Temporarily Closed. See more..
4.5 Museo de la Evolucion Humana (2.046 reviews)
- Great Museum
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Natural History Museums

The Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos is a modern museum center that accommodates, not only the findings of the sites of Atapuerca, but also the scientific disciplines that intervene and the scientific interpretations and theories that are extracted from them. Divided into four floors, it offers the main original fossils found in Atapuerca up to 1.5 million years old, the keys to evolution in biological terms, in cultural terms and ecosystems. See more..
4.5 Catedral de Avila (2.027 reviews)
- A brilliant building.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Religious Sites

Absolutely stunning. Unusual in rather than ornately painted ceilings or other decorative finish it is con-trasting stone colours, browns and cream, that are the striking feature. Combined with a beautiful altar piece, side altars and huge pillars it is very impressive. Then you move on to the Capilla De San Bernabe, wonder-ful and then the museum area. An altogether brilliant building. See more..
4.5 Plaza Mayor de Valladolid (2.002 reviews)
- Positive surprise
Historic Sites

Nice red central square, I was not expecting to visit Valladolid but had to because of difficult bus timetables. I was positively surprised at how full and vivid the city was on a Saturday night! I would totally come back to witness it again and discover more about it. A positive surprise. See more..
4.5 Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Casa Lis (1.902 reviews)
- No Photos Allowed in this Incredible Museum
Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

El Museo Art Nouveau y Art Déco es en esencia un museo de artes decorativas que propone un recorrido temporal que abarca desde las últimas décadas del siglo XIX hasta la II Guerra Mundial. Este periodo de poco más de sesenta años es sin duda uno de los más fecundos de las artes aplicadas. El grueso de las obras que se pueden ver en el museo son objetos utilitarios concebidos bajo unos cuidados criterios estéticos. Esta dualidad, que los hace muy interesantes como documento de una época y de una manera de vivir, hace que muchos de ellos no hayan llegado hasta nuestros días ya que su uso ha hecho que no hayan perdurado en el tiempo. Destaca la colección de muñecas de porcelana francesas del s. XIX, que ha sido definida por los expertos como la mejor colección expuesta al público a nivel mundial, o la muestra de criselefantinas de Demetre Chiparus o Ferdinand Preiss, pequeñas esculturas que combinan el metal para las vestimentas y el marfil para las partes desnudas del cuerpo. See more..
4.5 The Four Posts (1.725 reviews)
- Wall views
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

Decent walk from downtown, but a nice view and a little quieter. There were maybe 8-10 people at a time there while I was, it's a few columns set up on the side of a hill with an overlook of the town. *They* say it's the best view of the walls of town, and I trust them. I suggested a modification to tripadvisors location. In the meantime, Google knows where the right place is. Tripadvisor's location was wrong by a lot. See more..
4.5 New Cathedral (Catedral Nueva) (1.549 reviews)
- Magnificent
Historic Sites • Religious Sites

The New and Old Cathedrals are joined together but are quite different. The New one ( 16-18 century) is more opulent with gorgeous side altars and chapels and a Gothic-Baroque style. The dome is beautifully decorated as well as its facade — Flamboyant Gothic. It can be seen throughout Salamanca and is especially prominent at night when it is all lit up! Admission fee is 6 Euros (for two) and audio sets are provided. See more..
4.5 Campo Grande (1.546 reviews)
- Welcome to the peacocks' land
Parks

Conveniently situated in the city center of Valladolid, this park is unusual as it is home to many animals, in particular peacocks. They wander around their place, paying no attention to the passers-by. You will love the place. See more..
4.5 Jardines de la Granja de San Ildefonso (1.533 reviews)
- Extensive, beautiful & free
Gardens

Very few people were strolling about the many wide, shaded avenues, despite there being no cost for entry. Hundreds of fountains, watered by kilometers of thick, underground piping. These extensive woods and walks are maintained by an army of gardeners (obviously capable), and ample funds. See more..
4.5 Monasterio de las Huelgas (1.486 reviews)
- Must visit
Monday: Historic Sites • Religious Sites

Visits at Las Huelgas need to be prebooked and are only guided visits available. I am unsure whether they do them in English (I did mine in Spanish) and the site is full of treasures and incredibly beautiful. If you plan to spend more than a day in Burgos ensure that you book Las Huelgas to avoid missing-out. The only but that I can give to the site is that while the guide was very knowledgeable he did not interact and engage much with the visitors (lecture-like) and I would have liked to take more time for the visit (also photos are not allowed indoors). See more..
4.5 Cartuja de Miraflores (1.399 reviews)
- Just Amazing!
Natural History Museums • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Miraflores was originally a hunting lodge built by King Enrique III at the beginning of the 15th century and then converted into a monastery by the Carthusian monks, who continue there today. The remarkable church is considered one of the principal monuments of the city of Burgos and contains a royal mausoleum that is the final resting place of King Juan II and his wife Queen Isabel, parents of Queen Isabel "La Catolica". Visitors can look forward to an extraordinary experience of silence, peace and beauty. See more..
4.5 Puente Romano (1.291 reviews)
- The ancient bridge of Salamanca
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Bridges

A nice working pedestrian bridge built by the Romans in the first century AD leading into the old city. The bridge was subsequently modified and expanded and was the principal route over the River Tormes until recent centuries. Please note the ancient statue of the faceless bull at the entrance on the old city side. BTW - a great photo op of the cathedral from the bridge. See more..
4.5 Palacio De Gaudí (1.269 reviews)
- Wonderful Gaudí architecture!
Monday: 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Castles

Palacio de Gaudí is a building located in the center of Astorga, a very nice city in Castilla y León Region, in the North of Spain. It was built by very known architect Antoni Gaudí between the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century in a clearly neoghotic modernism-style. It was going to be the bishop palace, but really it was not used for this. In fact, it has a lot of problems for the construction and it was reconverted to a museum of (Camino de Santiago) pathwalk after Civil War. Nowadays, you can enjoy visiting inner rooms (really wonderful, if you like this architectonical style) and see the little museum about pathwalks, which is ok. You can see a little Chapelle inside the building, too. Also, if you walk outside the building, you can take lovely photos from the little gardens. (See also Astorga Cathedral, Plaza Mayor de Astorga, Palacio Gaudí - Museo de los Caminos, Ayuntamiento de Astorga, Ancient roman walls and La Domus del Museu del oso y los pájaros) See more..
4.5 Ermita de San Saturio (1.189 reviews)
- beauty
Religious Sites

Beautiful views, great nature, peace. The monastery is located in the rock. At the foot of it runs a great river, around the hills and the woods. See more..
4.5 Zamora (1.171 reviews)
- Nice old city
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

This old city hug all Zamora attractions within, A perimeters of 1 mile long by half a mile wide allowed us to do all sightseeing on foot, Al within walking distance. Just be aware that restaurants opens around 7:30 pm, so space your meals accordingly. C U AROUND. See more..
4.5 Museo Casa Botines Gaudí (1.152 reviews)
- A must with teens!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Art Museums

The Museum is sponsored by the Fundación Obra Social de Castilla y León. It explores the building's history and Antonio Gaudí himself, and houses 19th and 20th century paintings and works of art by Ramón Casas i Carbó, Raimundo de Madrazo, Joaquín Sorolla, José Gutiérrez Solana, José Navarro Llorens, Ignacio Pinazo, Nicanor Piñole and Joaquín Mir Trixet, among others. Gaudí's own particular brand of magic shines through in the details: the Catalan vaults, the cast-iron pillars, the stained glass windows on the first floor, the light in the interior patios, the wood and steel staircases and the attic space which affords access to the original turret from 1893, among other features. Casa Botines, whose corner turrets lend it an air of a fairy tale castle, is one of the most compelling pieces of nineteenth-century architecture in Spain. The Gaudí who created Casa Botines was a true architect; an artist with the skill to seamlessly blend technique and aesthetics. See more..
4.5 Palacio Real de la Granja (1.145 reviews)
- A quiet royal palace in the mountains near Segovia
Monday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Gardens

This is a palace built in the 18th century by king Philip V who was the first king of the French dynasty to rule in Spain. The king wanted to make a Palace just like Versailles that was made by his grandfather but this one is a bit different as it was sort of disconnected . Dont miss the glass factory visit. See more..
4.5 St. Stephen's Convent (Convento de San Esteban) (1.013 reviews)
- A “must see” church
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

A very imposing church with a beautiful carved facade depicting the martyrdom of St Stephan and the Crucifixion. Though it has a convent attached, the church is very grand and is the main focus. It has a beautiful high altar in gold with several opulent side altars. It also has a huge sacristy. A great photo op from the choir loft on the upper floor. Its facade looks even better at night when it is all illuminated. Along with both cathedrals, this church is a “must see” in Salamanca. See more..