Castilla y León is a region rich in history, culture and gastronomy. During your trip you will find an infinite number of monuments and charming villages to see and plenty of things to do in Castilla y León, Spain. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover all the treasures and secrets of this region and enjoy its endless tourist attractions.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
Cities to see in Castilla y León
Valladolid
Valladolid has impressive history and culture, which you can discover strolling through the old town and admiring its many monuments. This city has a unique atmosphere that you will discover as you enter its little bars and typical restaurants to try some of its best dishes.
The Church of Santa María de la Antigua is one of the greatest religious and architectural gems in Valladolid. It is an impressive structure dating back to the 12th century, with an immense façade and beautiful tower, the tallest in Spain. The Plaza de San Pablo is another place you should not miss on your visit. Here you will find some of the most important monuments in Valladolid, such as the Church of San Pablo and the Palace of Pimental, which is currently the Provincial Council of Valladolid.
For more information you can read our post: Things to do in Valladolid Spain.
Salamanca, the city to see in Castilla y León
To talk about culture is to talk about Salamanca. Walking through the streets of its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, means travelling through centuries of history, art and knowledge. Be enchanted by wonders such as its famous University, one of the oldest in Europe, which today continues to attract thousands of students.
Visiting Salamanca’s monuments is like entering a world of legends and stories waiting to be discovered. A good walk begins in its famous Plaza Mayor, the city’s main meeting point. Having a coffee in the mythical Novelty, admiring its 88 arches or sitting quietly on any of its terraces is really worthwhile.
For more information, you can read our post: Things to do in Salamanca Spain.
Burgos
Burgos is famous for its elegance, which is evident in the Burgos Cathedral, which blends perfectly with the city’s parks and green spaces. Beyond all the other things to do in Castilla y León, this cathedral alone is well worth the trip. It has the honour of being the first classical Gothic Spanish cathedral, following French models. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the most spectacular places in Castilla y León.
From the Plaza del Rey San Fernando, where it is located, you will find its large main façade and its two enormous towers. Burgos has several points where you can observe the beauty of this city and see the cathedral in detail. The most popular viewpoint to see the city is the one located in Burgos Castle.
For more information read our post: Things to do in Burgos Spain.
Segovia, one of the most beautiful cities to see in Castilla y León
Declared a Heritage City in 1985, Segovia is a city full of history, tradition and a very characteristic cuisine. Discover all there is to see in Segovia and fall in love with its architecture and charm. The aqueduct of Segovia is the most iconic and representative place in the city and a must-see during your trip to Castilla y León.
At 28 metres at its highest point and a total of 167 arches, the Segovia Aqueduct is striking as soon as you see it. Likewise, the Alcázar of Segovia rises imposingly over the western part of Segovia. It is wihtout a doubt one of the most iconic places to see in Castilla y León, and you can admire both its exterior and interior.
For more information you can read or post: Things to do in Segovia Spain.
Zamora
One of the star cities of Castilla y León and a destination with great heritage, Zamora will surprise you from the very first moment you visit. As one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture on the peninsula, discover the endless things to see in Zamora. Zamora is a work of art, which combines perfectly with its great gastronomic tradition and the beauty of its landscapes.
The Cathedral of Zamora is the most famous monument to see in Zamora, Castilla y León. The Romanesque style is severe yet harmonious, and is one of the most beautiful 12th century buildings. Located in the heart of the old town is the Plaza Mayor, another of the places to see on your trip to Castilla y León, as it is the hub of the city.
For more information you can read our post: Things to do in Zamora Spain.
Palencia
Palencia is a city in Castilla y León, and the capital of the province of the same name. The province of Palencia is a great unknown and a different destination full of surprises. Discover everything there is to see in Palencia and its most characteristic villages and places. What’s more, this province has some of the most beautiful inland villages that are a must-see in Spain.
Palencia Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in Spain after Seville and Toledo. This cathedral stands out both for its architecture and for its incredible collection of works of art, such as the main altar, the Sagrario Chapel, the ambulatory and the crypt. Another thing to do in Palencia is to stroll along Calle Mayor, the city’s main shopping street.
For more information you can read our post: Things to do in Palencia Spain.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Most beautiful villages in Castilla y León
Candelario, one of the most charming villages in Castilla y León
This village in Salamanca is famous for having preserved the traditional architecture of the Sierra de Béjar, with its white façades and wooden balconies. The town is built on a hillside and the streets and buildings are distributed in a staggered layout. The unique layout of Candelario provides visitors some of the most picturesque corners.
Highlights include the sprinklers, an authentic medieval sewage system, the buildings of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Hermitage of the Holy Christ of El Refugio and the Town Hall, as well as the Casa Chacinera Museum, dedicated to local culture and traditions.
Mogarraz
Every year Mogarraz attracts more and more travellers thanks to the portraits that decorate this town. This village is also known for its food, associated with the traditional production of Iberian sausages. You will find an interesting museum dedicated to the slaughter of the pig. As in other villages in the area, every year a 100% Iberian pig roams freely through the streets and is fed by all the villagers until San Martín, when is auctioned off among the villagers.
La Alberca, a village you can’t miss in Castilla y León
Possibly the most famous village in the Sierra de Francia. It is definietly amazing due to its state of preservation. Even the new modern buildings are made to blend in with the rest of the buildings. The main square is possibly one of the most photographed in Salamanca with balconies adorned with a large number of geraniums.
Lerma
Lerma is one of the villages closest to the city of Burgos that is well worth a visit during your trip. Located 849 metres above sea level, Lerma has an important history. This town is full of great attractions and offers an impressive view of the Arlanza region. Among the most emblematic buildings to see in Lerma are the Ducal Palace, the Collegiate Church of San Pedro and the Monastery of the Ascension of Our Lord.
Aranda de Duero
At an altitude of 800 metres above sea level and crossed by the Duero River, Aranda de Duero is a beautiful town in the province of Burgos. Aranda de Duero has a great historical legacy with works such as the Palace of the Berdugo family, the Sanctuary of Santa María de las Viñas and the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, the latter declared a National Monument. In addition, in the city you can find several very interesting museums, such as the Railway Museum and the Ceramics Museum.
Urueña
Urueña is one of the first villages we recommend visiting during your trip to Valladolid, Spain. With a population of less than 200 inhabitants, this small town located 830 metres above sea level will certainly leave you speechless.
It is a small medieval village, and has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site. You can visit some of its most important monuments of the period, such as the Wall, the Church of Santa María or its imposing Castle. Don’t miss out!
Pedraza
This is one of the most beautiful medieval walled villages in Spain. The town of Pedraza was repopulated between the 10th and 11th centuries, after the reconquest. The greatest splendour of the town came in the 15th century, in the times of the Velasco family, who were the lords of the castle and the town.
The village is between two hills, between the rivers Cega and Vadillo, therefore making it an impenetrable bastion. The castle is strategically placed on a rocky outcrop where a pre-Roman fort once stood. For much of its history, the town served as a fortress and market place for the region.
Puebla de Sanabria
This village has the honour of being one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is about 110 km north west of Zamora. Its strategic location, next to the border with Portugal, gave it great importance in the Middle Ages, being a fortified and walled town.
The village gained great political, ecclesiastical and military power, which led to the creation of very important monuments. Thus, in 1994, the town was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. A weekend getaway in Puebla de Sanabria is one of the perfect things to do in Castilla y León.
How to organise the things to do in Castilla y León?
You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter website. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on things to see and do in Castilla y León.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app to inspire other users.
If you have any doubts, you can also read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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