Top Things to do in Province of Leon
What to do and see in Province of Leon, Spain: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Leon, Spain including Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral, Cuevas de Valporquero, Las Medulas, Penalba de Santiago, Museo Panteon San Isidoro de Leon, Mirador de Orellan, Historic Center of Leon, Casa Museo Sierra Pambley, Castrillo de los Polvazares, Casco Historico de Castrillo de Los Polvazares.
Restaurants in Province of Leon
1. Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral
2. Cuevas de Valporquero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 733 reviews
Cave with different touristic tours and activities, all them with a professional guide explaining the cave´s features. With two different levels, the cave offers a tour visiting the seven room in the touristic level, and an adventure activity in the second one. Exhibitions and mountainering.
Reviewed By Ian B - Fareham, United Kingdom
Took a detour here travelling from Oviedo to Leon - glad we did. Visited here based on Trip Advisor and as always the reviews were spot on. Fabulous caves but you need warm clothing, only Spanish tours off season but still worth tagging along. Most...MoreGracias por haberse tomado tiempo para expresar su opinión. Para nosotros son muy importantes, nos ayudan a mejorar. Atentamente.
3. Las Medulas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
Las Medulas is quite unique and I was excited when we parked at the entrance of the village. Once out of the car, I saw one of its Mountains. This brought me back about how special this place was. The Romans were quite innovative to get gold out of the Mountains. They would fill the top of the mountain with lots of water. Once there was enough water on the top, they flushed the gold from the caves they had planned at the bottom of the mountain.
Thanks to their technique, these Mountains look quite attractive now with their reddish tint. It’s as if we were on Mars, the red planet!
We walked through the town and discovered that both Tourist Bureaus were closed. It didn’t matter, I had printed the directions where we wanted to head to. The Internet is quite practical for such things.
Most people followed the main road. Instead we went on a small path that led into the woods. As we continued further we found evidence that horses had been here. We knew then for certain that we were heading in the right direction, as horses are used to bring tourists to the best place of the Medulas.
Once we crossed the field of ferns, we headed to the right. By the way, ferns like sunlight here! Wow! Unheard of!
It’s then we saw numerous Mountains that had been emptied of all of their gold. It was truly splendid. Nearby were information how the Romans used these mines.
Then we went the other way. At one place we had the choice to go 2,5 kms or 1.5 kms or 0.5 kilometers. We decided to take the o.5 km. We climbed and before we knew we were heading to the top of one of those Medulas. The road was steep and it had a lot of lose rocks. At least we were able to see these Mountains close by. However, we had to head back down very carefully.
We eventually arrived at the next place where we wanted to head to. At first there were some dilapidated stairs and then there was a small road to follow. At times the road had collapsed. That was fun as we had to be quite innovative to get through.
However, this was the best place to visit the caves that the Romans had dug. They were everywhere and we enjoyed exploring every one of them. After this adventure, we had no choice but go back to town as it was getting late.
We were tired (We had spent over 5 hours), but at the same time we were refreshed by the beauty that we had seen. We bought some cold Fanta. It revitalized us to the brim.
I will never forget this special place in the Mountains. It was the highlight of our day!
4. Penalba de Santiago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By Manuela L - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
It's a really romantic quaint old village in the Mountains of Bierzo, old stone houses with little terraces or balcony in an ancient street and a very old church of the village, an antique gem, but surely difficult to leave there and of all in wintertimes; Nice for a visit in the Mountains for a half day walk.
5. Museo Panteon San Isidoro de Leon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
New book claims precious goblet in Leon's San Isidro basilica is mythical chalice from which Christ sipped at last supper Burial place of 40 kings, queens and princes of Leon and Castile, with 12th century romanesque frescoes.
Reviewed By Manuela L - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Very nice fresques and paintings, a royal fresque of San Isidoro de Leon;
Leon was at a certain time the most important town of Spain and has conserved till today many monasterys, churchs, and hospitals and attract the many pilgrims.
Bishops of Leon brought the relicts of SanI Isidoro to Leon in year 1063, from Sevilla.
The Pantheon is the roman sixtine chapel of Leon and is a nice museum.
6. Mirador de Orellan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By Denise696 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
The view of this mountain is amazing. Basically most of the mountain has disappeared due to the Romans using an early form of fracking. The history is extremely interesting and the end result definitely worth seeing. The access is through the small village of Orellan. There is a large car park and then a road up to the viewing point. Cars are not allowed further that the car park and it is a long steep walk to get there. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with mobility problems. At the viewpoint there are a few facilities and you can get inside the mountain. Remember to take money with you as there is a charge, although you can see the views for free.I would definitely recommend a visit.
7. Historic Center of Leon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 598 reviews
Reviewed By Manuela L - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Historic Center of Leon merit a visit, many roman constructions, the nice portal "Pardon "of San Isidor; the gothique cathédrale, many other churchs, hospitals, ancien palaces, a construction of Gaudi, the famous architecte, the royal Pantheon of San Isidoro;
Very nice by day and in the evening to stroll in this nice old center, with vived nice cafes, restaurants and terraces.
8. Casa Museo Sierra Pambley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
The Sierra Pambley Foundation is a non-profit institution dedicated to educational activities in the province of León (Spain). It was created in 1887 by Francisco Fernández-Blanco y Sierra-Pambley, Gumersindo de Azcárate, Francisco Giner de los Ríos and Manuel Bartolomé Cossío.The Foundation’s activities have always been guided by the spirit of the Free Institution of Teaching (Institución Libre de Enseñanza). Nowadays, it realizes a lively programme of cultural and educational activities:The programme of Spanish as a Foreign Language provides free Spanish language courses for immigrants and organizes diverse conferences, seminars and meetings for Spanish teachersThe Sierra Pambley museum shows the way of life of a nineteenth century enlightened family, as well as the pedagogical activity of the FoundationThe Azcárate Library has a wide library materials specialized in social sciences (history, philosophy, geography and pedagogy). This library is also a place full of history where you can read the newspapers or enjoy the web (we have free wifi)The Archive preserves the historical records of both the Foundation’s activities and also those of the Francisco Fernández-Blanco’s family.The Sierra Pambley school, located in the town Hospital de Órbigo, provides quality education for young people and adults.
Reviewed By Anonymous257Bilbao - Bilbao
The story behind this house is one of affluence, austerity and intellect. It has been fully restored and each room reveals unexpected treasures of different kinds for their monetary, artistic, historic and human-curiosity value. The tour would be interesting for the everyone in the family.
9. Castrillo de los Polvazares
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By blissy81 - Madrid, Spain
Very small town, aroun 100 people. Everything is stone. You need to park outside and walk your way through it. There are several restaurants that serve mostly Cocido Maragato (broth with chick peas and meats). Wear comfortable shoes.
10. Casco Historico de Castrillo de Los Polvazares
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Rebrites - Spain
Castrillo de los Polvozares is a twee tourist village that resurrected from ruins in the past 25 years, and is now a picture-postcard version of the old Maragato ethnic community that inhabited this region for centuries. The cobbled streets and golden stones, heavy archways and wooded hills attract day-trippers from throughout Spain, who stay to sample Cocido Maragato, the local stew of chick peas, greens, and pig parts... it is delicious, if a bit heavy, and definitely not for vegetarians!
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